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• Recycling Requirements for Single-family Homes & Multi-family Complexes with 4 or Fewer Units

  Single-family residences in the densely-populated areas must separate materials on their premises and arrange for recycling of the following materials-

  Designated Recyclable Materials: Aluminum Glass bottles & jars Cardboard & paper products Rigid plastics (#1-#7) Tin & Bi-Metal Cans Large Appliances

  Organic Materials: Yard Trimmings Nonhazardous wood waste Food Scraps and food-soiled paper* *when service is available in your area

   

  Residents must:
  

  • Keep recyclables separate from trash.
  • Arrange for proper collection, storage, and transport of discarded materials.

   

  How do I Comply?

  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 materials. Registration with the County is required. 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. 

   

  For more information and resources on recycling at single-family residences in the densely-populated areas visit the County's Residential Recycling webpage.

• Recycling Requirements for Multi-family Properties (5+ units)

  Multi-family Properties (5+ units) in the densely-populated areas must separate materials on their premises and arrange for recycling of the following materials-

  Designated Recyclable Materials: Aluminum Glass bottles & jars Cardboard & paper products Rigid plastics (#1-#7) Tin & Bi-Metal Cans Large Appliances

  Organic Materials: Yard Trimmings Nonhazardous wood waste Food Scraps and food-soiled paper

   

  Multi-family properties must:
  

  • Meet the County’s minimum diversion service level ratio of 35%. This means at least 35% of the weekly container capacity must be available for recyclables and organic materials.
    • The container capacity is measured in cubic yards of space in the carts or dumpsters available for solid waste, recyclable materials, and organic materials. 
  • Have adequate number and size of containers for tenants, employees, and contractors.
    • A minimum of 20 gallons of recycling capacity per unit and 5 gallons of organics capacity per unit would demonstrate adequate capacity. 
    • A County Recycling Specialist or your Franchise Hauler can assist you in right sizing your waste service.
  • Provide education to tenants within 14 days of move-in.
  • Annually educate tenants about recycling and organic materials recovery and proper sorting.
  • Accommodate inspections and monitoring by the County or its designee.
  • Keep recyclables separate from trash.
  • Arrange for proper collection, storage, and transport of discarded materials.
  • Require in contract that gardeners and/or landscapers recycle green materials and wood waste, if total waste generation is greater than or equal to 2 cubic yards per week.

   

  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. Contact Recycle@sdcounty.ca.gov for information.
  • Maintaining records:
    • Tenant education
    • Landscaping contracts (if applicable)

   

  Waivers from Service Requirements

  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. 

   

  For more information and resources on recycling at multi-family properties in the densely-populated areas visit the County's Multi-Family Complex Recycling webpage.

• Recycling Requirements for Commercial Properties

  Commercial properties in the densely-populated areas must separate materials on their premises and arrange for recycling of the following materials-

  Designated Recyclable Materials: Aluminum Glass bottles & jars Cardboard & paper products Rigid plastics (#1-#7) Tin & Bi-Metal Cans Large Appliances

  Organic Materials: Yard Trimmings Nonhazardous wood waste Food Scraps and food-soiled paper

   

  Commercial properties must:
  

  • Meet the County’s minimum diversion service level ratio of 35%. This means at least 35% of the weekly container capacity to be available for recyclables and organic materials.
    • The container capacity is measured in cubic yards of space in the carts or dumpsters available for solid waste, recyclable materials, and organic materials. 
    • A County Recycling Specialist or your Franchise Hauler can assist you in right sizing your waste service.
  • Provide containers for employees and customers that are properly labeled and match the color(s) of their collection containers. All trash containers for customers must be co-located with recycling containers (except in restrooms).
    • Full-service restaurants are not required to have bins for customers but must have bins for staff.
  • Provide education for new hires.
  • Train and educate employees annually on proper material sorting.
  • Prohibit employees from placing materials in wrong containers.
  • Inspect containers for contamination and re-educate employees.
  • Accommodate inspections/monitoring by the County or its designee.
  • Require in contract that gardeners and/or landscapers recycle green materials and wood waste if total waste generation is greater than or equal to 2 cubic yards per week.
  • Comply with surplus edible food recovery requirements if identified as a Tier 1 or Tier 2 commercial edible food generator.

   

  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. Contact Recycle@sdcounty.ca.gov for information.
  • Providing appropriate containers for customers and staff.
  • Maintaining records:
    • Employee training
    • Landscaping contracts (if applicable)
    • Edible food donation contracts and records (if applicable)

   

  Waivers from Service Requirements

  Commercial properties 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. 

   

  For more information and resources on recycling at commercial properties in the densely-populated areas visit the County's Business Recycling webpage.

• Resources
  • The County of San Diego offers free assistance to setup or improve recycling programs including technical assistance, tenant education, signage and containers (as available). Please contact a Recycling Specialist at Recycle@sdcounty.ca.gov or 858-694-2456 for information.
  • Click here to view the entire Solid Waste Ordinance.
  • Learn more about State law recycling requirements (AB 341, AB 827) and organics recycling requirements (AB 1826, SB 1383).