San Diego Trash & Recycling Guide 2025: Collection Schedule, Get It Done App & HHW Facility

San Diego residents: Learn everything about Environmental Services Department collection schedules, weekly trash/recycling/organics pickup, Get It Done app for schedule lookup and requests, Miramar HHW facility at 5161 Convoy St (appointment-only Saturdays 9am-3pm), mobile HHW collection events, and upcoming FY 2026 changes.

Updated: March 15, 2025
8 min read

San Diego Trash & Recycling Guide 2025: Collection Schedule, Get It Done App & HHW Facility

San Diego's Environmental Services Department (ESD) provides waste collection services to approximately 225,000+ eligible residential households across the city. This comprehensive guide covers everything San Diego residents need to know about trash, recycling, and organics schedules, the Get It Done app, the Miramar Household Hazardous Waste facility, mobile HHW events, and upcoming 2026 service changes.

Last Updated: January 27, 2025


Finding Your San Diego Collection Schedule

San Diego provides weekly trash collection, weekly recycling collection, and weekly organics (green waste) collection for eligible residential customers.

How to Find Your Collection Day

1. Get It Done - Collection Schedule Lookup Visit the city's online tool and enter your address:

2. Get It Done Mobile App Download the Get It Done app (iOS/Android) to:

  • Find your collection schedule
  • Request services
  • Report missed collections
  • Track service requests

3. Environmental Services Department

  • Call 858-694-7000 for schedule assistance

Collection Services Overview

Trash Collection:

  • Once per week (same day each week)
  • Use city-provided black/grey trash container
  • Set out by 6:00 AM on collection day

Recycling Collection:

  • Once per week (same day as trash)
  • Use blue recycling container
  • Single-stream recycling

Organics (Green Waste) Collection:

  • Once per week (same day as trash and recycling)
  • Use green organics container
  • Yard waste, food scraps, food-soiled paper

All three containers are collected on the same day by different trucks.


Fiscal Year 2026 Service Changes (Starting July 1, 2025)

๐Ÿšจ IMPORTANT UPDATE: The City of San Diego is implementing new trash and recycling service options for FY 2026 beginning July 1, 2025.

Action Required by September 30, 2025:

What's Changing:

  • New container size options
  • Updated service fees (use Fee Calculator on city website)
  • Enhanced organics program

Fee Calculator: www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/trash-service-updates/fee-calculator


Miramar Household Hazardous Waste Facility

San Diego operates the Miramar Household Hazardous Waste Transfer Facility where residents can drop off hazardous materials by appointment.

Location & Hours

๐Ÿ“ Address: 5161 Convoy Street, San Diego, CA 92111 (at Miramar Landfill entrance, north of State Route 52)

๐Ÿ•’ Hours: Saturdays 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM (closed holidays)

โš ๏ธ APPOINTMENT REQUIRED: You MUST schedule an appointment before visiting.

How to Make an Appointment

Phone:

  • Call 858-694-7000 (Environmental Services Department)

Online:

Eligibility & Requirements

Who Can Use It:

  • FREE for City of San Diego residents only
  • Proof of residency required (utility bill, ID with San Diego address)

Limits:

  • Maximum 15 gallons or 125 pounds of HHW per visit

What the Facility Accepts

โœ… Household Hazardous Waste:

  • Oil-based paints, stains, varnishes
  • Paint thinners, solvents
  • Automotive fluids (motor oil, antifreeze, brake fluid)
  • Household cleaners and chemicals
  • Pesticides, herbicides, insecticides
  • Pool chemicals
  • Batteries (all types)
  • Fluorescent bulbs and CFLs
  • Mercury-containing items
  • Aerosol cans
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Propane tanks

โœ… Electronics (E-Waste):

  • TVs, monitors, computers
  • Printers, keyboards, phones
  • Gaming consoles

โŒ NOT Accepted:

  • Latex/water-based paint (dry it out and trash it)
  • Medical sharps (use pharmacy drop boxes)
  • Commercial/business waste
  • Explosives or ammunition

Mobile HHW Collection Events

In addition to the Miramar facility, San Diego hosts mobile household hazardous waste collection events throughout the year at various locations.

2025 Mobile HHW Event Schedule

October 25, 2025:

  • Location: Balboa Park, Inspiration Parking Lot (Corner of Park Blvd. & Presidents Way)
  • Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

November 8, 2025:

  • Location: Vista Del Mar Middle School
  • Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

November 22, 2025:

  • Location: Balboa Park, Inspiration Parking Lot
  • Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Requirements: Same as Miramar facility - San Diego residents only, proof of residency, 15-gallon/125-pound limit.

Check for Updates: Visit www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/ep/hazardous for latest event schedule.


Recycling & Organics Guidelines

San Diego uses single-stream recycling (all recyclables in one blue bin) and comprehensive organics collection (green bin).

Blue Bin - Recycling

โœ… What to Recycle:

  • Paper, cardboard, newspaper, magazines
  • Plastic bottles and containers (#1-7)
  • Glass bottles and jars
  • Aluminum and tin cans
  • Empty aerosol cans

โŒ NOT Recyclable:

  • Plastic bags (return to stores)
  • Styrofoam
  • Food waste (goes in green bin)
  • Soiled paper/cardboard (goes in green bin if food-soiled)

Green Bin - Organics

โœ… What Goes in Green Bin:

  • Yard waste (grass, leaves, branches)
  • Food scraps (all types - meat, dairy, produce)
  • Food-soiled paper (pizza boxes, paper towels, napkins)
  • Compostable food containers (if labeled "compostable")

โŒ NOT in Green Bin:

  • Plastic bags
  • Diapers
  • Pet waste

Recycling Rules

๐Ÿงผ RINSE: Rinse containers to remove food residue.

๐Ÿ“ฆ FLATTEN: Break down cardboard boxes.

๐Ÿšซ NO BAGS: Never bag recyclables or organics - place loose in bins.


Get It Done App & Portal

Get It Done is San Diego's official app and web portal for city services.

Features:

  • Find trash/recycling/organics schedule
  • Report missed collections
  • Request bulky item pickup
  • Report illegal dumping
  • Track service requests
  • Submit photos and location

Download:


Bulky Item Collection

San Diego offers free bulky item pickup for residential customers.

How to Request:

  • Use Get It Done app or web portal
  • Call 858-694-7000

What Qualifies:

  • Furniture (sofas, tables, mattresses)
  • Appliances
  • Large household items

Set-Out: Place items at curb on scheduled pickup day.


Holiday Collection Schedule

San Diego observes holidays with adjusted collection schedules.

How Holiday Delays Work

If a holiday falls on a weekday, starting on the day of the holiday, trash is collected one day later for the remainder of that week.

Example: If Tuesday is a holiday, Tuesday's collection moves to Wednesday, Wednesday's to Thursday, Thursday's to Friday, Friday's to Saturday.

2025 Observed Holidays

Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25, 2025):

  • Thursday collection โ†’ Friday
  • Friday collection โ†’ Saturday

Check Official Schedule: www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/collection/schedule


Miramar Landfill & Greenery

Miramar Landfill (same location as HHW facility) accepts self-haul loads for a fee.

๐Ÿ“ Location: 5180 Convoy Street, San Diego, CA 92111

๐Ÿ•’ Hours:

  • Monday-Friday: 6:30 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Saturday: 6:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Accepts: Trash, recyclables, green waste, construction debris (fees apply)

Fees: Visit www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/miramar/fees


WasteFreeSD Resources

WasteFreeSD (wastefreesd.org) is San Diego's comprehensive waste reduction resource hub.

Resources:

  • Recycling and composting guides
  • Drop-off center locations
  • Event calendars
  • Educational materials
  • Business waste resources

What NOT to Put in Trash or Recycling

โš ๏ธ Prohibited Items:

โŒ Household Hazardous Waste โ†’ Miramar HHW facility or mobile events

โŒ Electronics โ†’ Miramar HHW facility or retailer take-back

โŒ Medical Sharps โ†’ Pharmacy drop boxes

โŒ Medications โ†’ Pharmacy take-back programs

โŒ Plastic Bags โ†’ Return to grocery stores


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What do I do if my trash, recycling, or organics wasn't picked up?

Report via Get It Done:

ESD will investigate and collect within 1-2 business days if valid.

2. How do I dispose of latex (water-based) paint?

Latex paint is NOT hazardous.

Disposal:

  1. Dry it out (remove lid, add cat litter/sawdust)
  2. Trash it once completely dry

Only oil-based paints go to HHW facility.

3. Do I need an appointment for the Miramar HHW facility?

YES - The Miramar HHW facility is now APPOINTMENT-ONLY. Call 858-694-7000 or use Get It Done to schedule.

4. What happens if I don't select my FY 2026 container sizes by Sept. 30?

If you don't select container sizes by the Sept. 30, 2025 deadline, the city will assign default sizes. It's important to make your selections to ensure you get the right container sizes for your needs and avoid unexpected fees.

5. Can I recycle plastic bags in my blue bin?

NO - Plastic bags damage recycling equipment.

Where to recycle:

  • Return to grocery stores (collection bins at entrance)
  • Participating retailers: Vons, Ralph's, Walmart, Target

Quick Reference Table

| Item | Black Bin (Trash) | Blue Bin (Recycle) | Green Bin (Organics) | HHW Facility | Other | |------|-------------------|--------------------|-----------------------|--------------|-------| | Household trash | โœ… | โŒ | โŒ | โŒ | - | | Cardboard | โŒ | โœ… | โŒ | โŒ | - | | Plastic bottles | โŒ | โœ… | โŒ | โŒ | - | | Glass bottles | โŒ | โœ… | โŒ | โŒ | - | | Food scraps | โŒ | โŒ | โœ… | โŒ | - | | Yard waste | โŒ | โŒ | โœ… | โŒ | - | | Pizza boxes | โŒ | โŒ | โœ… (food-soiled) | โŒ | - | | Furniture | โŒ | โŒ | โŒ | โŒ | Bulky pickup (Get It Done) | | Electronics | โŒ | โŒ | โŒ | โœ… (appt) | Retailers | | Oil-based paint | โŒ | โŒ | โŒ | โœ… (15-gal limit) | Mobile events | | Latex paint (dried) | โœ… | โŒ | โŒ | โŒ | Dry first | | Batteries | โŒ | โŒ | โŒ | โœ… (appt) | Mobile events | | Plastic bags | โŒ | โŒ | โŒ | โŒ | Grocery stores |


Official San Diego Resources

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Environmental Services Department (ESD):

๐Ÿ“… Collection Schedule Lookup:

๐Ÿ“ฑ Get It Done App & Portal:

โ˜ฃ๏ธ Miramar HHW Facility:

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Mobile HHW Events:

๐Ÿ”„ FY 2026 Service Updates:

โ™ป๏ธ WasteFreeSD:

๐Ÿ“‹ Miramar Landfill:


About This Guide: This San Diego resident waste guide is updated for 2025 based on current Environmental Services Department policies and City of San Diego regulations. Important FY 2026 changes begin July 1, 2025 - select your container sizes by Sept. 30, 2025. The Miramar HHW facility requires appointments. Policies may change - always verify current information on official sandiego.gov websites or by calling 858-694-7000.

Last Updated: January 2025 Sources: San Diego Environmental Services Department, sandiego.gov official resources, Get It Done portal, Miramar HHW facility, WasteFreeSD.

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