CONNECT with the CityPrivate Hauler Serviced Homes
The following information is for residents in homes serviced by a private franchise hauler.
Find tools and resources to help tenants, single-family and multi-family households improve their recycling participation and help the City achieve its zero waste goal.
Residential property owners or managers in the City of San Diego eligible for private collection service can work with their current trash collection provider for recycling and organic waste recycling services.
Learn more about mandatory recycling requirements.
For a full list of franchise haulers and certified recyclable material collectors (CRMC) that service the City of San Diego.
PLEASE NOTE: While you are required to contract with the same franchise waste hauler for trash, recycling and organic waste recycling, you can request additional recycling and organic waste service from a CRMC.
Recycling
Residences should have the appropriate recycling containers and collection service for recyclables. Please check with your service provider or property manager for more details on accepted materials and collection schedule.
Recycle Right
Ensure that recyclables are empty, dry and loose. These practices help keep the materials in the best condition to be recycled and reduces work hazards and machinery jams at the Material Recycling Facility.
Empty
Remove any remaining food or liquid from a recyclable item by lightly rinsing or wiping to remove any remaining residue.
Dry
Gently shake out excess moisture before placing it in a recycling container.
Loose
Do not put recyclables in a plastic bag as they get tangled in the sorting machinery. Reuse a household container, a paper grocery bag, a cardboard box or waste basket to empty your recyclables into your recycling cart or container.
Please note that the following items should NOT be disposed in the blue recycling container.
- Plastic bags, plastic film, plastic wrap
- Batteries
- Compact fluorescent lightbulbs
- Electronics
- Hazardous waste
- Chemicals
- Clothes/textiles
- Tanglers (hoses, hangers, wires, cords or rope)
- Sharps/needles
- Food or liquid
- Pet Waste
- Paper napkins and paper towels
- Compostable and biodegradable plastics
- Diapers
You may find local recycling options for hard to recycle items like appliances, bulky items, and electronics by visiting WasteFreeSD.org
Mattresses and box springs can be brought to the Mattress Collection Site to be recycled for FREE! Visit the Mattress Recycling webpage for more information.
Organic Waste Recycling
Residences should have the appropriate recycling containers and collection service for organic waste. Please check with your service provider or property manager for more details on accepted materials and collection schedule.
Please note that the following items should NOT be disposed in the organic waste recycling container.
- Plastic containers
- Plastic bags and film
- Disposable gloves
- Disposable wipes
- Glass
- Pet waste
- Plant pots
- Dirt
- Rocks
- Bricks
- Plant tags
- Food labels and stickers
- Twist ties
- Utensils or straws
Education Handout
- Organic Waste Recycling Rules handout – For owners, property managers and residents (English and español)
Videos
How to Love Your
Green Bin
Reciclaje de Residuos Orgánicos en Apartamentos
Food Waste Prevention
These downloadable and printable guides provide tips on preventing food waste at home.
Trash to Landfill
Residences should have the appropriate trash containers and collection service for items that cannot be recycled. Please check with your service provider or property manager for more details on accepted materials and collection schedule.
Please note that the following items should NOT be disposed in the trash container.
- Food scraps – place in the organic waste recycling container.
- Yard trimmings – place in the organic waste recycling container.
- Recyclables (plastic, paper, cardboard, cartons, metal, glass) – place in the recycling container.
- Mattresses and box springs*
- Furniture*
- Electronics*
- Household Hazardous Waste** (most of these items contain toxic materials and some can cause fires)
- Batteries – Can cause truck fires when disposed of improperly.
- Paint
- Medications
- Motor oil and oil filters
- Chemicals and cleaners
- Needles and syringes
- Propane and helium tanks – Can cause truck fires when disposed of improperly.
- Fluorescent and compact fluorescent bulbs/lamps and LEDs
*For mattress, box spring, furniture, appliance and electronic waste recycling or disposal, check with your service provider or visit WasteFreeSD.org.
**For Household Hazardous Waste disposal options, please visit the Household Hazardous Waste webpage.
Additional Resources
WasteFreeSD
WasteFreeSD is a regional directory to help residents find places that can repair broken items or accept donations of unwanted items. The directory also lists locations that accept bulky items and appliances for reuse, recycling or disposal. Visit WasteFreeSD.org for more information.
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
- What Goes Where? Special Holiday Edition - English
¿Dónde coloco los artículos? Edición Navideña - Spanish/Español
Để vào đâu? Phiên bản ngày lễ - Vietnamese/Tiếng Việt
Signage
Organic Waste Recycle Sign
- Letrero de reciclaje de residuos orgánicos (English and Spanish)
- Sign ng pagre-recycle ng organikong basura (English and Tagalog)
- Dấu hiệu tái chế rác hữu cơ (English and Vietnamese)
Video
What Goes Where: San Diego’s Three-Container System for Waste Disposal
Have Questions?
Get more information and assistance by contacting the Environmental Services Department at sdrecyclingworks@sandiego.gov or 858-694-7000. For questions about your private hauler service, schedule and accepted materials, please contact your hauler or property manager.
Recycling Programs
