Each property owner is required to have at least one trash container, one recycling container and one organic waste container. While the standard container size is 95 gallons, owners of properties producing less trash may find a smaller 35-gallon or 65-gallon trash container is enough. Alternatively, owners of properties with more than one unit on the lot or those producing higher volumes of trash may find they need the larger 95-gallon or multiple containers.

Important: If you do not make a selection, you will automatically receive one 95-gallon gray trash container and one 95-gallon light blue recycling container, regardless of whether your property has one or multiple units. Your old City-provided containers will be removed and recycled. After new containers are delivered, the City will discontinue collection from the old black, blue and store-bought containers. Green organic waste containers will not be provided unless you request a new size, different quantity or do not have an existing green container. Note the fee for the bundle includes a 95-gallon recycling container and a 95-gallon organic waste container, and the fee for an additional recycling or organic waste container includes a 95-gallon container. If you prefer a smaller recycling or organic waste container for reasons unrelated to solid waste management services (e.g., if you would like a smaller size due to space considerations), the City will make one available, but the fee would be the same.

You can find additional resources and information, including a Trash Service Fee Calculator, on the City’s Trash Service Updates webpage.

Container Dimensions

35-gallon container for all three container types is 24 inches deep, 19 inches wide, 38 inches tall and can contain approximately 2 to 3 trash bags. 65-gallon container for all three container types is 27 inches deep, 27 inches wide, 43 inches tall and can contain approximately 3 to 5 trash bags. 95-gallon container for all three container types is 33 inches deep, 29 inches wide, 43 inches tall and can contain approximately 5 to 7 trash bags.

Container Repairs and Replacements

With the delivery of your brand-new containers coming soon, if you have a damaged container, but it is serviceable, it is advised that you wait to repair or replace any containers to streamline the delivery process and ensure your containers correspond to the service level selected in the Residential Waste Collection Services Portal. If your container can no longer be serviced and it needs repairs or a replacement now, please contact Environmental Services Department Customer Service Representatives at 858-694-7000 or at trash@sandiego.gov.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: ESD will only offer containers of equal or greater size to your current container until Oct. 1, 2025. 35-gallon trash and recycling containers are not available at this time.

For Fiscal Year 2026 (July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026), each eligible residential property will be charged the rate associated with one 95-gallon trash container, one 95-gallon recycling container and one 95-gallon organic waste container. Because the proposed fee for Fiscal Year 2026 is equivalent to the level of service associated with one 95-gallon trash container, one 95-gallon recycling container and one 95-gallon organic waste container - and because some customers may currently have a bundle of trash, recycling and organic waste containers in which one or more of the containers is smaller than 95-gallon - the City will offer to replace the container(s) smaller than 95-gallon should the customer wish to receive service at the 95-gallon service level. If this applies to you, please fill out our Container Size Upgrade Form.

Have Questions?

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact the Environmental Services Department Customer Service Representatives at 858-694-7000 or at trash@sandiego.gov.