Regional Compliance Hub: San Diego, CA — Electronics (Mon–Sat) & HazMat (Sat by Appt)
Regional Compliance Hub: Electronics (Mon–Sat) & HazMat (Sat by Appt), the City’s primary “Recycling Hub” at the
Miramar Landfill entrance. This location is unique because it houses two distinct facilities side-by-side:
the Recycling Center (daily access) and the Hazardous Waste Facility (Saturdays only).
[1][2]
Since San Diego apartment dumpsters strictly ban Electronics and Hazardous Waste, this hub is the critical “Compliance Point.”
[3][4]
Electronics (Daily Access): Miramar Recycling Center — No Appointment
Electronics (Daily Access): The
Miramar Recycling Center
(at 5165 Convoy) accepts computers, TVs, and monitors (and other electronics per site rules).
[1]
Hours: Monday – Saturday (7:00 AM – 4:00 PM). Closed Sundays.
Note: This is the easiest place to drop off e-waste without an appointment.
[1]
Resident-safe timing tip: Plan to arrive by 4:00 PM to avoid turn-away near close; the City page lists the center as open until 4:30 PM.
[1]
- Facility: Miramar Recycling Center[1]
- Address: 5165 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111[1]
- Accepted Electronics (Examples): computers, TVs, monitors (plus other e-waste per site guidance).[1]
- No Appointment: E-waste drop-off does not require an appointment during posted hours.[1]
Hazardous Waste (Strict Rules): HHW Transfer Facility — Saturdays by Appointment
Hazardous Waste (Strict Rules): The
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Transfer Facility
(at 5161 Convoy, right next door) takes paint, pesticides, batteries, and oil (and other hazardous products per program rules).
[2]
Crucial Warning: Open Saturdays ONLY (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM) and requires an Appointment. You cannot just drive up with chemicals on a Tuesday.
[2][5]
Booking: Residents must call (858) 694-7000 to schedule.
[2][5]
Universal Access: While focused on City of San Diego residents, this is the central hub. Residents of Chula Vista, Poway, or unincorporated areas may have their own designated facilities—confirm your jurisdiction’s drop-off rules before driving.
[5]
- Facility: HHW Transfer Facility (Miramar Landfill Entrance)[2]
- Address: 5161 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111[2]
- Hours: Saturdays, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Appointment Required)[2][5]
- Appointment Line: (858) 694-7000[2][5]
- Important: Use the HHW facility for chemicals (not the recycling center). The City’s HHW system requires appointments.[2][5]
Crucial Action: Bulky Items (The “Commercial” Trap)
The Rule: The City of San Diego’s residential services (trash pickup) generally apply to single-family homes and up to four residences on a single lot that meet City eligibility requirements.
[6]
Apartment Reality: Most apartment complexes (5+ units) are serviced by Private Franchised Haulers under a commercial-style contract, which means you usually cannot call the City for free curbside furniture pickup.
[7]
Action: Ask your Property Manager if the building has a scheduled “Bulky Item Day” or if you can pay for a pickup through the property’s contracted hauler.
[7]
Self-Haul: You can haul mattresses and furniture to the Miramar Landfill (fees apply; load rules apply).
[8]
The “Green Bin” Mandate (SB 1383): Organics Required
The Rule: Under California law (SB 1383), organic waste must be diverted from landfill disposal, and jurisdictions require collection systems that keep
food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings out of the trash.
[9][10]
Action: Place food scraps (meat, bones, dairy, veggies), food-soiled paper (pizza boxes), and yard trimmings in the Green Bin (organics system) where provided.
[9][10]
Motto: “If it grows, it goes.”
[10]
Note: If your complex does not have a green bin yet, they are likely out of compliance—ask property management when organics service will be implemented.
[9]
Glass Recycling
Good News: San Diego allows glass bottles and jars (all colors) in the standard Blue Recycling Bin. You do not need to separate them—keep them empty and follow your community’s posted contamination rules. [11][12]
EEAT Sources: [1] City of San Diego: Miramar Recycling Center — address, hours, electronics access | [2] City of San Diego: HHW Transfer Facility — appointment requirement, hours, address, phone | [3] City of San Diego: Recycling Requirements (apartments/private hauler serviced homes must recycle; includes plastics & glass bottles/jars) | [4] City of San Diego: Transition to Private Hauler (ineligible properties include 5+ residences) | [5] City of San Diego: Household Hazardous Waste — appointment required, contact guidance | [6] City of San Diego: Eligibility for City waste collection (1–4 residences on a single lot) | [7] Republic Services (City of San Diego): 5+ units are ineligible and must enroll with a franchise hauler | [8] City of San Diego: Miramar Landfill fees & requirements | [9] City of San Diego: SB 1383 — organic waste definition and program overview | [10] CalRecycle: Organics collection systems (green container = food scraps/food-soiled paper/yard waste) | [11] City of San Diego: Blue Recycling Bin — accepted materials include plastic and glass bottles & jars | [12] City of San Diego: Recycling Requirements — glass bottles and jars included
San Diego property owners and community managers: simplify recycling & organics compliance while boosting resident satisfaction. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling service aligns with City of San Diego and San Diego County (unincorporated) requirements and California state mandates (AB 341 / AB 1826 / SB 1383) to reduce contamination and enhance NOI — all with a turnkey program.
In San Diego, recycling and organics service is mandatory for multifamily and commercial generators under local ordinance and statewide law. The City implements requirements in San Diego Municipal Code Ch. 6, Art. 6, Div. 7 (“Recycling Ordinance”) and Ch. 14, Art. 2, Div. 8 (Refuse/Organics/Recyclables Storage Regulations). The County regulates multifamily generators under County Regulatory Code Ch. 68 – Solid Waste, Recyclable Materials & Organic Waste.
- NOI & Property Value Lift: Sustainability amenities that increase retention and curb appeal.
- Resident Convenience & Cleanliness: Doorstep recycling & organics pickup reduces overflow and contamination.
- Compliance Simplified: Aligns with City and County rules plus CalRecycle mandates (AB 341 / AB 1826 / SB 1383).
- Local & State Alignment: Code-backed, inspector-friendly program design and documentation.
At a Glance: City of San Diego vs Unincorporated San Diego County
City of San Diego
- Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling (City Recycling Ordinance) + Mandatory Organics (SB 1383; implemented locally).
- Applicability Threshold: Multifamily all multi-unit properties are covered for recycling under City ordinance; organics applies to 5+ units per state law (SB 1383).
- Minimum Service & Set-Out (City guidance):
- Streams required at each collection point: trash, recyclables, and organics.
- Collection frequency: trash weekly; organics weekly; recycling at least every other week.
- Containers: leak-resistant with tight-fitting lids; maintain clear signage/labels on recycling and organics.
- Resident Education: Provide written recycling/organics info to new occupants and at least annually; keep records available upon request.
- Key City Links:
Recycling Ordinance (Ch.6 Art.6 Div.7) · Storage Regulations (Ch.14 Art.2 Div.8) · Multifamily Requirements Handout · Containers & Signage Guidelines · SB 1383 FAQs
San Diego County (Unincorporated)
- Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling + Mandatory Organics participation for generators, including multifamily.
- Applicability Threshold: Applies to all multifamily generators in unincorporated areas (subscribe to trash, recycling, and organics service unless exempt).
- Minimum Capacity (County guidance):
- Recycling: recommend at least 20 gallons per unit.
- Organics: recommend at least 5 gallons per unit.
- Diversion service level: target ≥ 35% of weekly capacity dedicated to recycling + organics (where applicable in densely populated areas).
- Program Duties: Place recycling/organics containers as convenient as trash; label/sign; provide move-in and annual resident education; maintain records.
- Key County Links:
Regulatory Code Ch.68 (definitions & separation) · Multifamily Requirements (Ch.68) · County Multifamily Recycling
Fines & Penalties Snapshot (City & County)
- SB 1383 enforcement timeline: jurisdictions issue a Notice of Violation with 60 days to comply; penalties follow if unresolved. (CalRecycle)
- City of San Diego: Violations may be enforced via Administrative Citations (Ch.1, Art.2, Div.9) and/or Civil Penalties (Div.8). Courts may assess up to $2,500 per violation per day in civil actions. (SDMC Div.8) · (SDMC Div.9)
- San Diego County (unincorporated): County may use Administrative Citations and Administrative Civil Penalties; guidance notes citation ladders and civil penalties up to $1,000/day (admin) or up to $2,500/day (civil action) depending on case severity. (County Enforcement Overview) · (County Admin Civil Penalties)
- Note: The City has emphasized education-first rollout for organics, but penalties are available when non-compliance persists. (Local news update)
Property Manager Compliance Checklist (City & County)
| Task | Action / Requirement | Resources / Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Subscribe to Required Services | Active service agreements for trash, recycling, and organics (City Recycling Ordinance; County Ch.68). | City Recycling Ordinance · County Code Ch.68 |
| ☑ Minimum Streams & Frequency (City) | Required streams: trash, recyclables, organics. Frequency: trash weekly; organics weekly; recycling ≥ every other week. | City Container Guide · City MF Handout |
| ☑ Capacity Planning (County) | Provide ≥ 20 gal/unit recycling and ≥ 5 gal/unit organics; maintain ≥ 35% diversion ratio. | County Multifamily Guidance · County MF Requirements |
| ☑ Container Placement, Labeling & Signage | Place recycling/organics bins as convenient as trash; maintain color-coded signage per City/County standards. | City Signage Guide · County Signage Info |
| ☑ Resident Education & Records | Provide recycling/organics info at move-in & annually; retain service logs and education records for inspection. | City Recycling Ordinance · County Code §68.573 |
| ☑ SB 1383 Organics Compliance | Ensure weekly organics collection; provide signage, education, and records per SB 1383. | City SB 1383 FAQs · County SB 1383 Info |
Need a fast compliance check? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your San Diego property — we’ll right-size your containers, draft resident education, and prepare inspection-ready documentation.
Interested in talking about how we can work together? Here's our contact info.
