This story is misleading. It claims that in San Diego there is “free” trash pick up. Are the sanitation workers, working for free? Are the vehicles and equipment donated? Someone has been paying for the trash pick up—and that is the taxpayers of San Diego in their property tax bills and other taxes.
Now, that is going to end. The people will know how much trash pick up actually costs. That is a good thing.
San Diego residents face end of free trash pickup, new monthly fees
San Diego homeowners face new monthly trash collection fees up to $53, ending a century of free service after voters approved an undetermined amount in 2022.
Abbie Black, CBS8, 2/12/25 https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/san-diego-residents-face-end-of-free-trash-pickup/509-b0d9b13a-32f9-4de8-85f4-c0809a88f916
SAN DIEGO — San Diego homeowners are bracing for the end of free trash collection, with proposed monthly fees reaching up to $53 for standard service that’s been free for more than a century.
Starting this year, residents with a standard 95-gallon black bin would pay $53 monthly. A smaller 35-gallon bin option would cost $42 monthly, though that rate would increase to $52 by 2027.
“Everything’s going up. And now, all of a sudden, we’re going to start paying that amount of money every month for trash pickup when we paid nothing before,” said Jan Hodgson, a Clairemont resident.
The change follows voter approval of Measure B in 2022, ending free trash service that began in 1919. City officials say they’re currently spending $82 million on trash service and losing money. If approved, San Diego would have the highest trash rate in Southern California, except for Long Beach. Most neighboring cities use private contractors.
While initial estimates from The Independent Budget Analysis projected monthly costs between $25 and $42, city officials say they underestimated the number of customers served.
“We have been very transparent on recognizing what has been done in the past and listening to folks throughout the city,” said Jeremy Bauer, the city’s Environmental Services assistant director.
About 13,000 existing customers, including those in complexes with more than four units, will be notified they no longer qualify for city service and must switch to private contractors.
The new fees would fund additional workers and trucks, eliminate container replacement fees, and expand services. By the third year, despite rates rising to $63 for standard bins, residents would receive weekly recycling pickup instead of bi-weekly service and increased bulky item collection.
The city is developing a subsidy program for low-income customers.
The Environmental Committee votes Thursday before the proposal moves to the full council in March. If approved, customers can submit protests before a final council vote in June. Charges would appear on the second property tax bill this year.
“I’m really disappointed in San Diego,” Hodgson said. “It’s just one thing after another.”
