San Diego

Recycling Guidelines

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

Mixed Recycling: Plastic, paper, metal and glass can be comingled together in your single-stream recycling collection

PLASTIC

Look for plastic items labeled #1 - #5.

  • Bath bottles- shampoo, mouthwash, lotion, soap, etc.
  • Bottles & jugs- beverage, food, etc.
  • Bulky items- laundry baskets, swimming pools, non-electric toys, etc.
  • Canisters- medicine bottles
  • Clean plastic bags- grocery bags, dry cleaner bags, and film plastics
  • Containers- fruit, baked good, etc.
  • House bottles & jugs- cleaning supplies, detergent, etc.
  • Lids and caps can stay on plastic bottles
Lids and caps can stay on bottles and containers
Plastic, single-serve to-go containers with no food residue

METAL

Look for tin, aluminum and other metal items

  • Aluminum cans- beverage, food, etc.
  • Aluminum foil
  • Empty paint and aerosol cans
  • Food tins

Tin, aluminum, steel, and empty aerosol cans

PAPER

Look for Paper items

  • Books- telephone books, paperback books, etc.
  • Brown paper bags
  • Cardboard & chipboard- flattened moving boxes, food boxes, tissue boxes, shoe boxes, paper towel rolls, toilet paper rolls, etc.
  • Mixed paper- computer paper, office paper, unwanted mail, flyers, notecards, newspaper, magazines, folders

Paper can be recycled up to seven times, depending on the quality

Cardboard tubes from wrapping or toilet paper rolls

GLASS

Look for glass food jars and drink bottles

  • Beverage bottles & jars- soda, wine, beer, etc.
  • Food bottles & jars- pickle jars, spaghetti sauce, etc

Bottles and jars (Lids and caps can stay on)

Clean and dry your glass bottles

Mixed Recycling: Plastic, paper, metal and glass can be comingled together in your single-stream recycling collection

Doorstep Recycling Collection
Place acceptable recyclables in a securely tied, see-thru bag, separate from your trash and place in your bin, outside your front door with your scheduled trash collection.

When in Doubt – Toss it Out
Please do not place any unacceptable items in communal recycling containers or in your household recycling bags. Remember, if recycling contains “contaminants” (non-recyclable items or containers not properly cleaned), the whole batch may be rejected and sent to a land fill. When in doubt – best to toss it out!

What can NOT be recycled

  • Pet waste
  • Plastic utensils and straws
  • Plastic wrap
  • Napkins, paper towels, and tissue
  • Glassware
  • Snack bags and wrappers
  • Compostable products
  • Diapers
  • Food scraps
  • Plastic bags and styrofoam peanuts
    • Return to retailer
  • Small appliances, clothing, textile, toys, sporting goods and more
    • Donate these items
  • Shrub and tree trimmings; leaves, grass clippings, food scraps
    • Take yard waste to miramar greenery (5180 Convoy Street)
  • Ceramics
  • Windows
  • Mirrors

Recycle Collection Tips

  • Containers must have close-fitting lids, leak-proof, and rodent-proof

Multifamily-specific highlights. Check with your municipality for the latest guidelines.

  • Communities generating four or more cubic yards of trash per week (lowered from “more than six cubic yards”) are required to recycle per the city’s recycling ordinance (which you can find in the link glossary)
  • Communities with five or more units must recycle
  • All communities must recycle plastic and glass bottles and jars, paper, newspaper, metal containers, and cardboard
  • Residents serviced by a private hauler are encouraged to recycle the additional plastic items below
    • Clean food waste containers
    • Jugs
    • Tubs
    • Trays
    • Pots
    • Buckets
    • Toys
  • Abide by the city’s minimum required recyclable container volume rations
  • Recycling containers are to be equipped with close-fitting lids, are leak-proof, and rodent proof
  • Containers must be placed in a convenient location
    • Adjacent to each solid waste container or disposal areal or
    • As close as possible to each solid waste container or disposal area
  • Recycling containers shall display a list and/or picture of the recyclable materials that may be deposited into the recycling container

Multifamily Recycle Collection Tips 

  • Communities generating four or more cubic yards of trash per week must offer recycling
  • Must offer recycling for plastic and glass bottles, jars, paper, newspaper, metal containers and cardboard

Learn more about recycling in your city.

For more information, please contact:

Environmental Services at 858-694-7000 or email [email protected]
Contact 858-694-7000 for disposal options of household hazardous waste such as:

  • Toxic products
  • Electronic waste
  • Paint
  • Bulbs
  • Batteries
  • Motor oil
  • Needles and syringes
  • Propane helium tanks

This information is not your official community or municipality guidelines. Recycling mandates may change based on the local processing capabilities and shifting markets. Contact your leasing office or local recycling agency to learn more or use the links under the “Recycling Resources"