San Diego Trash Pickup & Bulk Item Disposal Guide

Find your San Diego trash collection schedule and learn how to handle bulky items, extra junk and materials that do not belong in regular curbside collection.

Trash collection in San Diego depends on your address and service provider. For properties serviced by the City of San Diego, trash and organic waste are currently collected weekly and recycling is collected every other week. Your actual collection day depends on your address. Residents outside City-serviced areas should check with their local municipality or waste hauler.

This guide covers City of San Diego collection plus general options for bulky items and excess junk that do not fit in regular curbside collection.

Does everyone in San Diego County have the same trash pickup schedule?

No. The City of San Diego Environmental Services Department serves eligible properties within the City of San Diego. Other communities and some privately serviced properties use different waste haulers with their own schedules and rules.

If the City address lookup does not recognize your address, your property may be served by a private hauler or another local jurisdiction. Check your bill, property management information, or local municipality to confirm your provider.

How do I find my trash pickup day in San Diego?

For City-serviced properties, use the official City of San Diego collection schedule lookup tool. You can also look up your collection day by address through the City portal. The address lookup provides the relevant collection schedule for City-serviced properties.

How often does the City of San Diego collect trash, recycling and organic waste?

Trash: Weekly.

Organic waste: Weekly.

Recycling: Every other week.

Collection day depends on your address. Use the City lookup tool linked above to find your specific schedule.

What changed with the gray trash container in 2026?

Starting July 1, 2026, the City of San Diego stopped collecting trash from old black trash bins. City-serviced residents must use a City-provided gray trash container for trash collection. Recycling and organic-waste collection continue separately. See the official City trash service updates for current details. This gray-bin rule applies to City-serviced properties and may differ in other San Diego County communities.

What goes in each container for City-serviced properties?

City-serviced residents currently use three containers:

Gray container - Trash. The City-provided gray container is now required for trash collection.

Light blue container - Recycling. Clean paper, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles and containers, metal cans.

Green container - Organic waste. For City-serviced properties, green organic-waste containers are used for food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings. See the City SB 1383 organics information for details on accepted organic-waste materials.

What can you do with bulky items that do not fit in your trash container?

The City previously planned a bulky-item pickup service, which is currently paused until further notice. Residents should check the City of San Diego trash service updates or their waste provider for available options.

Options for bulky items depend on the item and your service provider. Possible options include:

• Checking with your current waste provider for available bulky-item options
• Taking eligible material to an appropriate disposal or recycling facility
• Donation or reuse when the item is still usable and accepted by an organization
• Professional junk removal for items that are too large, heavy, or difficult to transport yourself

What about items that do not fit in regular collection?

Regular City collection requires the use of approved containers. Residents should not assume that oversized material placed beside a container will automatically be collected. Items that do not fit in regular curbside collection may require donation, self-haul to an appropriate facility, or professional removal.

Construction debris from a remodel or renovation is different from ordinary household trash and may require an appropriate disposal or removal option. Large appliances may require special handling depending on their components and disposal requirements. Refrigerant-containing appliances may require special handling or disposal procedures.

Can you take items to a disposal facility yourself?

Miramar Landfill is one example of a local disposal option. However, you should check current facility requirements before making a trip. Confirm accepted materials, hours, fees, and vehicle requirements directly with the facility before you go. Not all facilities accept all types of loads, and requirements can change.

When does professional junk removal make sense?

Professional junk removal is an appropriate option when:

• Items are too large or heavy to move safely
• Several bulky items need removal at once
• Items need to be removed from inside a property
• The customer does not have suitable transportation for large items
• The project involves a larger cleanout or multiple items
• Materials are not appropriate for routine curbside collection

Junk Seekers provides full-service junk removal throughout San Diego County. We do not replace normal municipal trash collection. We are one option for items that do not fit in regular collection.

How much does junk removal cost in San Diego?

Junk Seekers currently has a $125 minimum, with larger jobs priced based on the amount of truck space used and the type of material being removed. Your actual quote depends on the job. See the pricing page for current pricing tiers, or call (619) 916-8419 for a free estimate.

Disposal options at a glance