Recycling Programs
Environmental Services provides tools, resources and services to help with the City of San Diego's waste reduction and recycling efforts.
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Recycling Changes
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California Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) - Learn about new food and yard waste rules
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Recycling Ordinance - Learn about San Diego's new recycling requirements and resources
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California Assembly Bill 1276 - Learn about new restrictions on providing utensils and condiments at food facilities in the County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health guidance document.
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- Recycling Guides and Publications
- Curbsider - ESD's recycling newsletter
- Having a Special Event?
- Report Properties without Recycling
- Educational Videos
Specific Product Recycling
To learn how to donate, recycle or properly dispose just about anything visit WasteFreeSD.
- Appliances
- Backyard Compost
- Batteries
- Christmas Tree Recycling Program
- Construction & Demolition Debris
- Electronic Waste
- Mattresses and Box Springs
- Propane Cylinders
- Used Oil & Oil Filters
- Yard Waste
- Commercial Food Waste
Zero Waste Plan
The City's Zero Waste Plan was approved and adopted unanimously by City Council on July 13, 2015. The Zero Waste Plan lays out strategies to divert 75 percent of all trash by 2020, 90 percent diversion by 2035 and an ultimate goal of zero waste by 2040.
Zero Waste Plan (Organics)
The City of San Diego's Environmental Services Department educates and assists businesses to comply with the implementation of the State of California Assembly Bill (AB) 1826.
- More information on AB 1826 can be found at the CalRecycle website.
- To determine the feasibility of starting a commercial food waste recycling program, please contact the City of San Diego’s Environmental Services Department at 858-694-7000.
- To learn more about the City’s Commercial Food Waste Recycling Program and other food recovery and donation options, visit the Commercial Food Waste Recycling webpage.
- Some businesses that generate food waste have considered liquefier devices as a means of complying with AB 1826. However, there are strict requirements governing discharge from liquefiers. To learn more, please review the Public Utilities Department’s Food Waste Liquefier Fact Sheet. Information about food waste liquefiers
Waste Characterization Study
A waste characterization (or waste composition) study is a scientific tool used by jurisdictions to assess the amount and types of waste being disposed in landfills for the purposes of evaluating and expanding recycling and diversion programs. The Environmental Services Department is responsible for implementing the City's waste reduction, recycling, and diversion programs. The passing of state Assembly Bill (AB) 939 in 1989 required all jurisdictions in California to divert 50 percent of their waste by the year 2000.
San Diego's last full waste characterization study was conducted in 1999. San Diego reached a 52 percent diversion rate in 2004 and has steadily increased diversion to 68 percent in 2012. This added diversion is predominately due to two City-wide recycling ordinances:
- The City Recycling Ordinance (CRO) requires all commercial properties and multi-family residences to recycle unless they fall below a specified service level thereby making them exempt.
- The Construction and Demolition (C&D) Debris Deposit Ordinance requires certain permitted demolition, new construction and remodeling projects to divert 65 percent of the waste produced during the project. Additionally, there is a surcharge on all C&D loads disposed at Miramar Landfill.
The results and links below are from the recently completed 2012-2013 Waste Characterization Study. The study evaluated the types and amounts of waste still being disposed and will be used to enhance and develop recycling program activities and policies.
The most recent disposal data available is from 2012, and shows that San Diego disposed of nearly 1.3 million tons of waste. This included waste from our homes, business, schools, manufacturing, and military bases.
- Summary of Study and Material Definitions
- Overall City Waste Composition
- Overall Residential Waste Composition
- Overall Commercial Waste Composition
- Overall Military Waste Composition
- Summary of Methodology
Recycling Guides and Popular Publications
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
Curbside Organic Waste Recycling Program Publications
Curbside Organic Waste Recycling Program Guide
- English - Curbside Organic Waste Recycling Guide
- Español - Guia de Reciclaje de Residios Organicos
- Tagalog - Patnubay sa Pagre-recycle ng Organikong Basura
- Tiếng Việt - Hướng Dẫn Tái Chế Rác Hữu Cơ Bên Lề Dường
Welcome to your new green bin!
- English - Welcome to your new green bin!
- Español - ¡Bienvenidos a su nuevo contenedor verde!
- Tagalog - Maligayang pagdating sa iyong berdeng basurahan!
- Tiếng Việt - Chào mừng đến với thùng màu xanh lá cây mới của bạn!
Organic Waste Recycling Steps
- English - Organic Waste Recycling Steps
- Español - Pasos para el Reciclaje de Residuos Orgánicos
- Tagalog - Mga Hakbang sa Pagre-recycle ng Organikong Basura
- Tiếng Việt - Các Bước Tái Chế Rác Hữu Cơ
Signage
If you're serviced by a private waste hauler, they can also provide signs for your property.
Food Scrap Recycle Sign
- Letrero de reciclaje de residious de comida (English and español)
- Sign ng pagre-recycle ng natirang pagkain (English and Tagalog)
- Dấu hiệu tái chế phế liệu thực phẩm (English and Vietnamese)
Recycle Sign
- Letrero de reciclaje (English and español)
- Sign mag-recycle (English and Tagalog)
- Dấu hiệu tái chế (English and Vietnamese)
Landfill Trash Sign
Other Resources
- What Goes Where? Special Holiday Edition
- Franchise Waste Hauler Directory for Businesses & Multi-family Complexes
- Recycling Collection Services for Special Events
- Certified C&D Recycling Facility Directory
- Backyard Composting Guide
- Greenery (Compost/Mulch/Wood Chips) Guide
- Programa de Reciclaje Domestico de Desechos de Jardín
- Recycling Tips FAQs
- Take-out Container Recycling
Report Properties Without Recycling and Organic Services
Items marked with an asterisk ( * ) are required.