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Environmental Services

Community Cleanup/Recycling Events

Illegal dumping

Community Cleanups are designed to help San Diegans properly dispose or recycle bulky items that do not fit in the City's refuse collection or curbside recycling containers.

More than 50 events are held each year thanks to sponsorship from the Environmental Services Department and community groups. The events are held throughout the City in order to serve as many residents as possible. The events collect approximately 25 tons of trash and nine tons of recyclables, preventing recyclables from going into the landfill and garbage from being illegally dumped on streets and alleyways. Once an area is selected, a Solid Waste Code Compliance staff member will work with the participating neighborhood group to distribute detailed flyers to residents in the selected cleanup area.

Important: Residents who receive curbside pick-up service will receive a flyer in advance of the pick-up date. If you do not receive a flyer, please do not put items out for collection as they will not be picked up.

What Can I Bring to a Community Cleanup Recycling Event?

Accepted Items

  • Appliances
  • Carpeting
  • Electronics (e.g. TVs, computer monitors, VCRs, CPUs)
  • Junk furniture
  • Mattresses
  • Lawnmowers (free of oil/gas)
  • Metals
  • Wood
  • All light bulbs/tubes

Not Accepted

  • Dirt, construction or demolition rubble
  • Household hazardous wastes (e.g. paint, batteries, motor oil)
  • Propane Tanks/Gas Cylinders
  • Tires

For information on proper disposal of "not accepted" waste items, call Environmental Services at 858-694-7000.