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What Day Is Trash Pickup in San Diego, CA?

Updated November 2026

Quick Answer for San Diego

  • Trash day: Tuesdays, collected by Environmental Services Department
  • Recycling: biweekly on Tuesdays — no plastic bags, no styrofoam
  • Next holiday delay: Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026)
  • Bulk pickup: request online — free, no limit

Trash pickup in San Diego is weekly on Tuesdays. Environmental Services Department collects trash, recycling (biweekly on Tuesdays), and yard waste (weekly). Bins out by 7:00 AM.

Quick Facts

Trash Provider

Environmental Services Department

Municipal service

Contact

858-694-7000

Official website

Trash Pickup

Tuesdays (weekly)

Set out by 7:00 AM

Recycling Pickup

Tuesdays (biweekly)

14 materials accepted

Pickup Schedule

Trash Collection

Once per week

Tuesdays

Recycling Collection

Every other week

Tuesdays

Yard Waste

weekly

Fridays

Schedules vary by neighborhood. Check with Environmental Services Department for your exact pickup day.

Recycling Rules

San Diego accepts 14 materials for curbside recycling. No plastic bags, styrofoam, or food-contaminated items.

Accepted

  • Cardboard (flattened)
  • Newspaper
  • Magazines & catalogs
  • Office paper & mail
  • Glass bottles & jars
  • Aluminum cans

NOT Accepted

  • Plastic bags & film
  • Styrofoam (EPS)
  • Paper coffee cups
  • Shredded paper
  • Batteries (household alkaline)
  • Electronics (e-waste)
Recycling rules for San Diego

Bulk Pickup

How to Schedule

Request online

Free Pickups Per Year

Unlimited (free)

Free for city customers — request via Get It Done app

Bulk pickup details for San Diego

Holiday Pickup Schedule

Federal holidays delay trash pickup in San Diego by one day. Next: Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026).

New Year's DayJanuary 1, 2026
Martin Luther King Jr. DayJanuary 19, 2026
Presidents' DayFebruary 16, 2026
Memorial DayMay 25, 2026
JuneteenthJune 19, 2026
Holiday schedule for San Diego

Composting in San Diego

MandatoryCurbside pickup

SB 1383 requires all residents and businesses to separate organic waste. Enforcement began 2024 with fines for noncompliance.

Fines for noncompliance: $50-$500

Hazardous Waste

Paint, batteries, electronics, and motor oil cannot go in regular trash in San Diego.7 drop-off locations for household hazardous waste.

Hazardous waste drop-off in San Diego

Frequently Asked Questions

What day is trash pickup in San Diego?
Trash pickup in San Diego, CA is weekly on Tuesdays. Set out your bins by 7:00 AM. Environmental Services Department handles residential waste collection. Recycling is collected biweekly on Tuesdays.
Can I recycle pizza boxes in San Diego?
Yes — Clean portions are recyclable. Greasy sections can go in compost where available, otherwise trash. Many programs now accept the whole box. In San Diego, pizza boxes are accepted in curbside recycling.
How do I schedule bulk pickup in San Diego?
To schedule bulk pickup in San Diego, request online. Free for city customers — request via Get It Done app
Is there trash pickup on Thanksgiving in San Diego?
Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026) affects trash pickup in San Diego. Pickup on this day and the rest of the week delayed by one day. Check with Environmental Services Department for your specific route. Most federal holidays delay pickup by one day for the rest of the week.
What goes in the recycling bin in San Diego?
San Diego accepts 14 types of materials for curbside recycling, including cardboard, paper, glass bottles (check locally), aluminum and steel cans, and plastic #1, #2, and #5 containers. Do NOT put plastic bags, styrofoam, or food-contaminated items in recycling. Rinse all containers before placing them in the bin.
Does San Diego have composting?
Yes, San Diego requires composting. Curbside composting is available — use your green bin for food scraps, yard waste, and food-soiled paper. Fines for noncompliance range from $50 to $500.
What do I do if they missed my trash pickup in San Diego?
If your trash was missed in San Diego, first confirm it was your scheduled pickup day and that bins were out by 7:00 AM. Then call Environmental Services Department at 311 (or your hauler's direct line) to report the miss. Most cities require you to report within 24 hours. Keep your bins at the curb until the makeup collection, which is typically within 1-2 business days.
Where do I take hazardous waste in San Diego?
San Diego has approximately 7 household hazardous waste drop-off locations. Items like paint, batteries, electronics, and motor oil cannot go in regular trash. Auto parts stores accept motor oil for free. Best Buy and Staples accept electronics. For everything else, use your city's HHW collection events or permanent facility.

Related Pages

Recycling Guide

What goes in the recycling bin in San Diego

Bulk Pickup

Schedule large item pickup

Holiday Schedule

When holidays delay pickup

Hazardous Waste

Paint, batteries, electronics disposal

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Back to San Diego overviewAll trash & recycling guides

Pickup schedules and rules are based on published municipal data. Schedules vary by neighborhood and route. Always confirm with Environmental Services Department for your specific address. This page is for informational purposes only.