San Diego's new trash fee: Pick your bin size

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- As the new trash fee rolls out, questions are rolling in.

San Diegans are now required to choose which size trash can they would like for their homes, and each size comes with a different price tag.

The San Diego City Council voted in early June to approve a trash collection fee for residential customers, despite backlash from residents who argued the fees are much higher than initially estimated when residents voted to take on the fee years prior.

How to register:

The city began sending out mailers to each household that directs residents to the Residential Waste Collection Services Portal. Once there, you create an account and enter your APN and unique code, which can be found on the mailer sent to your home.

If you don't know your APN, you can look it up on the website above.

Trash Bin Fee Options

Residents will decide which one of three trash bin options they would like to pick.

Bundle One: $32.82/month

• 35 gallon trash bin
• 95 gallon recycling bin
• 95 gallon organics bin

Bundle Two: $38.94/month

• 65 gallon trash bin
• 95 gallon recycling bin
• 95 gallon organics bin

Bundle Three: $43.60/month

• 95 gallon trash bin
• 95 gallon recycling bin
• 95 gallon organics bin

The blue recycling and green organics bins remain the same size no matter the cost. The price is only dependent on the size of the black trash bin you select.

If you need more bins, the cost will increase, up to $17 extra per month.
The monthly costs are scheduled to increase through 2028, up to $57.55 per month for the 95-gallon bin option.

How much does each bin hold?

Image above provided by the City of San Diego.

Paying for the new bins

"Customers would pay the fee in the same way they pay their annual property taxes. Typically, property taxes are paid in one lump payment, as two installments, or monthly as part of a mortgage payment," the city said.

The city said that all residents will see a $523.20 charge by their October tax bill for the first year of service. The fee is for the bundle three option, a 95-gallon trash container, one recycling and one organics container. The city said that if residents select a different option, their rate would be adjusted by either a credit or additional charge on their next October 2026 bill.

So what happens to the trash bins you already have?

The city said all bins must be replaced, even if they are in good working condition. The city said it plans to pick up and recycle all trash bins and deliver new ones beginning in October.

What if I don't make any selection?

Residents must make a selection by September 30. If residents don't make any selection, the city will choose option three, the most expensive bundle.

How else can a resident register?

Residents who would rather call customer service instead of using the online portal can register by phone at 858-694-7000.

Financial assistance options:

The city is working through options to provide assistance for those with a financial need. There's an option on the online portal that asks users if they would like to donate. The city said, "100% of your donation will go towards the financial assistance program. The City cannot fund an assistance program with revenue from the Solid Waste Management Fee. Instead, ESD is supporting the assistance program with donation dollars and funding from the General Fund."