Containers
New City Containers Coming Soon!
The City is delivering new gray trash containers and light blue recycling containers. Green organic waste containers will remain, unless you requested a different number or size in the Residential Waste Collection Services Portal. If your property still has the original green yard waste container, the City will update these to the standard organic waste container later in 2026. If you do not have any green containers onsite at all, please request one by e-mailing trash@sandiego.gov.
Find Your Estimated Container Delivery Date
Delivery Process
Your new containers will not all arrive at the same time!
- Gray trash containers will be delivered to all eligible customers first.
- Light blue recycling containers will follow on a second visit.
- Green container changes (if applicable) will be made on a third visit.
On delivery day, old containers will be removed and recycled. Removal may not necessarily happen at the same time as delivery, but it is expected that containers are delivered and removed on the same day.
Delivery Day Instructions
On your scheduled delivery date:
- Place ALL trash, recycling and organic waste containers at the curb—even if they are not full or if we are not making adjustments to that container type. This ensures your household receives the correct new containers and that all old ones are picked up and removed.
- Leave old containers out until crews complete delivery of your new containers and removal of your old containers.
- If your old containers or those in your neighborhood are not removed, please request removal.
- Pull new containers onto your property as soon as possible.
- Confirm the size matches what you ordered and is right for your property. If it is not, please make a service-level adjustment in the Portal within 30 days. Please wait 1 business day after your containers are delivered to request any changes.
- Label the containers you plan to keep with your address in the white box on the side of the container.
Service Level Adjustments (30 Day Swap Out Period)
The Residential Waste Collection Services Portal is now closed for initial service level selections, but you have one more opportunity to make adjustments.
Once you receive your new gray trash container, you will have 30 calendar days to:
- Request a size swap for your trash container.
- Update your order for recycling or organic waste containers.
- Order additional containers.
Please wait 1 business day after your containers are delivered to request any changes.
Important: There is no additional swap out period following delivery of your new recycling containers. The only opportunity to update your order, if needed, will be once your gray container has been delivered. After this 30-day period, the next opportunity to make adjustments will be July 2026.
Log in to your Portal account to make your service level adjustments. If you do not already have a Portal account, we recommend you create one now. That way, your account is ready to go if need to make any adjustments. You will also unlock benefits like the ability to see your property’s service and fee history and gain access to text and email updates from the City. Log in or sign up today!
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.
Maximum Container Weights
NOTE: Overweight and overfilled containers could lead to service interruptions.
- 35-gallon container: 100 pounds
- 65-gallon container: 200 pounds
- 95-gallon container: 300 pounds
Container Repairs and Replacements
With new containers on the way, if you have an older model container (e.g., a black trash container) that is damaged but 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 is not serviceable and needs a repair now, please submit a Repair or Replace Damaged Container request on Get It Done or contact Environmental Services Department Customer Service Representatives at 858-694-7000 or at trash@sandiego.gov.
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.