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Environmental Services

Miramar Landfill FAQS

Q: What is the Miramar Recycling Center?

A: The Miramar Recycling Center is located at the entrance to the Miramar Landfill.

  • The Center accepts and will pay a California Redemption Value for aluminum cans, and all plastic beverage containers, including #1 and #2, and all other beverage containers marked with "CA Cash Refund" or "CA Redemption Value."
  • The Center is also a drop-off site for numerous other recyclable materials: newspaper, glass (clear, blue, brown and green), mixed paper, cardboard, aluminum and tins cans, and plastic (Type 1 plastics recycling icon and Type 2 plastics recycling icon).
  • In addition to TVs and computer monitors, all computer electronics are now accepted for free!
  • Tires and some metals are also accepted.
  • There is a small fee for recycling scrap metal.
  • For more information, call Environmental Services at 858-694-7000.

Q: How much waste is buried in the landfill each year?

A: Due to recycling and diversion activities, the amount of trash buried at the Miramar Landfill each year has decreased over the past few years. Approximately 1.4 million tons of refuse are buried each year. This is down from a high of about 1.8 million in 1988.

Q: How long will the Miramar Landfill last?

A: Landfill life projections are subject to variance, as it is difficult to project waste generation rates and recycling and diversion reductions over time. It is currently estimated that Miramar Landfill will last until about 2031.

Q: Are vehicle tires accepted at the Miramar Landfill?

A: State of California law and the City of San Diego’s Municipal Code prohibit the landfilling of vehicle tires unless the tires are permanently reduced in volume by shredding or cutting lengthwise (like a bagel). On Sept.  1, 2004, the City began charging $54 in addition to regular disposal fees for loads of shredded or cut tires. Here is a list of tire disposal vendors in San Diego County.