• 25 Oct

San Diego County Waste Ordinance Update June 2021

The County of San Diego Board of Supervisors unanimously approved updates to the Solid Waste Ordinance on May 5, 2021. This requires all residents and businesses in the densely-populated, and to a lesser extent sparsely-populated, areas of the unincorporated County to comply with new recycling requirements. Densely-populated areas include census tracts that have a population density of more than 75 people per square mile. Click the website link to see how the new ordinance impacts you.

Single-Family Homes & Multi-Family Complexes with 4 or less units

Residents may demonstrate compliance by:

  • Subscribing to a 3-stream collection service with a non-exclusive franchise hauler, or contract with a Certified Recyclable Materials Collector for certain materials.
  • Self-hauling all designated materials. Registration with the County is required and Self-Haulers will be required to maintain receipts or a log of self-hauling activities for 3 years and submit them periodically or upon request to County staff. Contact Recycle@sdcounty.ca.gov for information.

 

Waiver from Service Requirements

Single family residences in the densely-populated areas, including multi-family premises with 4 or less units, who manage all organic materials generated on-site may apply for a waiver from organic recycling service requirements. Learn more here.
Businesses & Multi-Family Complexes with 5+ units

How do I Comply?

Generators may demonstrate compliance by:

  • Subscribing to a 3-stream collection service with a non-exclusive franchise hauler, or contract with a Certified Recyclable Materials Collector for certain materials.
  • Self-hauling materials. Registration with the County is required and Self-Haulers will be required to maintain receipts or a log of self-hauling activities for 3 years and submit them periodically or upon request to County staff. Contact Recycle@sdcounty.ca.gov for information.
  • Maintaining records:
    • Tenant or employee education
    • Landscaping contracts (if applicable)
    • Edible food donation contracts and records (if applicable)

 

Waivers from Service Requirements

Commercial and multi-family properties (5+ units) may apply for waivers from recycling and/or organics service requirements when de minimis generation occurs, if there are physical space constraints, and/or if all organic materials generated are managed on-site. Learn more about waivers here. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Why do I have to pay for a recycling bin from my waste hauler? Waste services are provided by a series of franchise haulers who set their own rates as private companies. As such, when additional services are added, residents will have to pay their haulers for the additional service(s).
  • What is right sizing? Right sizing is the process of adjusting your waste collection services to match the amount and type of waste your property produces. The County recommends right sizing services to make them more affordable (such as decreasing the size of your landfill bin once you receive recycling or organics services). In general, using cart services only instead of a dumpster service should result in a cheaper waste bill.
  • How do I recycle food scraps? Visit How to Recycle Organic Waste for guidelines and tips.
  • How do I get a kitchen caddie/compost bin for collecting food scraps? Ask your hauler if they are offering free kitchen caddies, or they can be purchased from many home goods, home improvement, and online shops.

 

For specifics on the solid waste ordinance please view the following web pages, depending on your area*:

*Based on census tract data, densely-populated areas include larger communities such as Spring Valley, Lakeside, Ramona, Fallbrook, etc., while sparsely-populated areas include smaller communities such as Campo, Boulevard, Warner Springs, Ranchita, etc. Verify which type of area you live in here.

Densely-populated areas: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/dpw/recycling/SWO.html

Sparsely-populated areas: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/dpw/recycling/sparse_recycling.html

 

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