Customers must use City-approved automated refuse containers to receive trash, recycling and organic waste recycling collection service.

Containers should be stored in a secured location that is not visible from the public right of way. This could include such locations as behind a fence, in your backyard or in your garage.

• Collection Frequency
  • Black trash bins: Once a week
  • Green organic waste recycle bins: Once a week
  • Blue recycle bins: Every other week
• Collection occurs Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The collection day depends on where you live in the City. Find your collection schedule 
  
• To ensure collection, all containers must be placed at the curb in front of your home or alleyway by 6 a.m. on your scheduled collection day.
• Set the authorized container on the street or alley, wheels against the curb and with the handle facing your home.
• Remember to leave space. Containers should be 3 feet from other containers, parked cars, lamp posts, trees, mailbox posts and any other obstructions so the collection truck can safely access your container.
  
• There is no collection of City of San Diego trash, recyclables or yard waste on the following City-observed holidays, and waste will be collected one day later for the remainder of the week:
  • New Year's Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day
    
• All containers must be removed from your designated point of collection by 6 p.m. on your scheduled collection day. Failure to remove containers is a violation of City of San Diego Municipal Code Section 66.0105.
• Fees may apply for additional refuse/waste containers and for replacement containers for lost, stolen or damaged containers.
  
• Learn more about available container sizes and how to obtain a container. 
• Eligibility and Service Standards of Waste Collection
• City Recycling Ordinance for mandatory recycling requirements
• How to Prolong the Life of an Automated Container.
• Please contact the Environmental Services Department at 858-694-7000 or trash@sandiego.gov to report damaged, lost or stolen containers; to request an additional container; or for general questions about trash and recycling collection.

Please refer to collection services with a City of San Diego-approved private franchise hauler or certified recyclable material collector if you are a home on a private road or multifamily property, business, or mixed-use property with collection service already with a private waste hauler. 

• Do not pack trash tightly in your container.
• To help prevent litter, bag or wrap all loose trash material before placing it in the bin.
• To reduce insects and rodents, keep containers clean.
• Tips and resources for keeping your green bin clean.

City of San Diego What Goes Where Guides

• What Goes Where? - English
• ¿Dónde coloco los artículos? - Spanish/Español
• Saan Mapupunta ang mga Bagay? - Tagalog
• Để vào đâu? - Vietnamese/Tiếng Việt

• Visit WasteFreeSD.org to learn how to donate, recycle or dispose of just about anything else. 

Please never put any of the following materials in the trash, recycling or organic waste recycling containers. These materials can harm refuse/waste collectors, the equipment and the environment.

• Liquids of any type. The refuse/waste in landfills must be as dry as possible.
• Hot coals, ashes or lit cigarettes.
• Building and construction debris (dirt/rocks, tree trunks, carpets or large scraps).
• Furniture, appliances or auto parts (water heaters, major appliances, couches/chairs, car bumpers, fenders, engine blocks, batteries, items over 50 pounds)
• Unwrapped sharp objects (broken glass should be well-wrapped in newspaper before placing it in the trash.)
• Household Hazardous Wastes (paint, cleaning fluids, motor oil, insecticides, solvents, acids, gasoline, pool chemicals, highly flammable liquids, radioactive materials or toxic chemicals). 
• Sharps including needles, syringes, lancets and other self-injection devices. Talk to your health care provider/pharmacist or bring to a household hazardous waste collection facility.
• Medical waste from home healthcare services may require special disposal. Talk to your doctor or provider about disposal instructions.
• Universal waste (all types of consumer batteries, electronics, fluorescent lightbulbs and mercury-containing items such as thermometers and thermostats). 
  

Visit for more disposal and recycling information.

• Universal Waste Frequently Asked Questions
• Household Hazardous Waste Links and Resources
• WasteFreeSD.org for online search of drop-off and pickup resources
  

For further information, Contact Environmental Services at 858-694-7000 or trash@sandiego.gov.

• Trash, recycling and organic waste recycling pickup is guaranteed for containers placed in collection areas by 6 a.m., unless they are in violation of City regulations. If your container has not been collected, look for a tag from your driver on the container. The tag will explain why it was left. If the container is not tagged and it was set out before 6 a.m., call 858-694-7000, or submit a Missed Collection Request.
• Visit the missed collections map to see if your area has been impacted.