The Right Way to Recycle Curbside
Recycling Curbside
What you can recycle curbside is subject to your residential location. Each jurisdiction might have different rules according to the hauler responsible, which can be either EDCO, Waste Management, Republic or City of San Diego Environmental Services Department.
If you live in the Unincorporated County of San Diego, please refer to the Recycle Right campaign for general directions on what can be recycled in your blue bin, and contact your respective waste haulers for items that you are unsure of.
Recycling Right means your items are:
- EMPTY. No or very little food residue remaining.
- DRY. No liquids remaining. Liquids can ruin paper, cardboard and other materials in the recycle bin, making them unrecyclable.
- LOOSE. Do not bag your recyclables; place them loose in the recycling bin.
Once you find out who your hauler is, click on the company name and you will be able to find their respective recyclability guidelines and what you can put in your blue bin:
Waste Management Recycle Guide
Republic Services Recycle Guide
City of San Diego Environmental Services Department Recycle Guide
Unacceptable Items
Regardless of where you reside or who your hauler is, remember to keep these items OUT of your blue bin:
- Plastic bags/film (do not bag your recyclables)
- Click here to find out more about plastic bag/film recycling or visit WasteFreeSD.org
- Mixed material packaging such as chip bags or juice pouches
- Polystyrene packing peanuts
- Tangling items such as garden hoses, chains, clothing hangers and rope
- Universal wastes such as batteries, fluorescent light bulbs and electronics
- Click here to find out where you can recycle your batteries or visit WasteFreeSD.org
- Hazardous wastes such as automotive fluids, cleaners and paint
- Visit WasteFreeSD.org to find out where you can take your hazardous wastes
Recycling and Buyback Centers
Many items can still be recycled, even if they don’t go in your curbside Blue Bin. Examples include packing peanuts, metal scrap and Universal Waste. To find out where your closest recycling and buyback center is located, look up your item on WasteFreeSD.org.
