New city trash bin delivery to start in Rancho Bernardo on Tuesday

Some Rancho Bernardo residents will receive a new gray trash bin that replaces their city-issued black bin on Tuesday.

Those scheduled for Oct. 21 deliveries include those in the southern portion of RB’s Westwood neighborhood, along with some in the Seven Oaks neighborhood.

A map on the City of San Diego’s website shows more deliveries for Rancho Bernardo residents with estimated dates of Oct. 28, Nov. 4, Nov. 11, Nov. 18, Dec. 2 and Dec. 9.

In all, 9,237 Rancho Bernardo properties are eligible for city trash service. Those not eligible, such as properties along private streets and in condo complexes, have contracts with private trash hauling companies.

Deliveries of new gray bins began in the city on Monday and are expected to extend into early next year. The city’s plan is to deliver light blue recycling bins to replace the existing dark blue bins next spring. The deliveries and removals are happening on the normal pick-up days, according to officials.

“We’re starting in several coastal communities, and then throughout the week we’ll be delivering bins across neighborhoods citywide,” said Jeremy Bauer, assistant director for Environmental Services. “Mailers are being sent to eligible property owners in advance of their new bin arrival.”

Customers can also go online, at sandiego.gov/trash, to see their delivery date or sign up to receive text or email alerts on delivery and other updates, he said.

Green organic waste bins for vegetation and food were distributed in 2023, so they are not being replaced at this time, according to officials. Those without a green organic bin or who need an additional bin may request one.

The new trash bins are being delivered to more than 225,000 city households eligible for city-provided trash service. Starting last July 1, those households also began being charged for trash pickup following the approval of Measure B in November 2022, which repealed the People’s Ordinance of 1919.

All households are being issued three bins — gray for trash, light blue for recycling and green for organic waste. Unless they chose a different sizing option, the default size is 95-gallon bins and homeowners are being assessed a fee of $43.60 per month.

Those who want to save money can request a 65-gallon gray bin for a $38.94 per month fee, while the 35-gallon gray bin is $32.82 per month. These fees will continue to be assessed and billed via property taxes through June 30, 2026.

Customers who want a smaller blue or green bin can request them, but the fee they pay will remain the same as if they had the largest size.

Property owners had until Sept. 30 to inform the city of their preferred bin size. If they have not set up an account in the customer portal, they will get the largest size and highest fee. If they do not want the largest gray bin or have changed their mind about the size they chose, they have 30 days after delivery to make a change during this fiscal year.

“They can’t change (what is delivered) now,” he said, noting that under 50% of customers — around 107,000 — met the Sept. 30 deadline. As of Oct. 10, he said 108,072 had created an account.

Customers who did not receive or lost their unique property code required to set up an account may obtain that by calling 858-694-7000. Answers to frequently asked questions are available at sandiego.gov/trash.

“An estimated 12,000 senior citizens have been helped over the phone,” Bauer said.

Because of the high volume of calls, Bauer said there have been long waits and some customers expressed frustration. He advised customers to leave a voicemail and to call early in the morning, around 6:30 a.m. when call volume is lower.

Those needing additional bins of any size or color will be assessed extra monthly fees. Extra gray trash bins are $17.78 each for 95-gallon, $13.06 for 65-gallon and $6.89 for 35-gallon. An extra 95-gallon blue recycling bin is $9.67 per month more, while an extra 95-gallon green bin is $13.01 per month.

Fees will increase in subsequent years, with the 95-gallon trash bundle fee reaching $57.55 by 2028, while the 65-gallon bin fee will be $51.22 and the 35-gallon bin fee will be $43.89.

If homeowners selected the medium or smaller trash bin, their fees for the 2025-26 fiscal year will be adjusted going forward once they receive their new gray bins, and they will receive a credit for the months remaining after delivery on their 2026-27 tax bill.

“We’re excited for customers to experience the benefit of these new containers — newer bins will be less prone to breakage, feature helpful recycling labels to make sorting easier, and come in updated colors to help drivers quickly identify which containers to service,” Bauer said. “We want residents to rest assured that old containers will be recycled, with the material made available to create new bins.”

Each new container also includes a scannable tag to help the city track performance and improve service,” he said.

The city is finalizing a financial assistance program, with details on who is eligible and the amount of aid hopefully available in November, Bauer said.

“There will be criteria, such as household income and those who are enrolled in financial assistance programs,” Bauer said.

If someone’s black or dark blue bin is damaged to the point that it needs replacement prior to delivery of the new bins, Bauer said requests for a new black or dark blue bin will be fulfilled, but unlike in the past, there will be no delivery fee or charge for the bins.

Prior to July 1, the city charged customers $70 for additional black bins, or if the bin was being replaced due to damage, being lost or stolen. There was also a $25 delivery fee if the customer could not pick it up. The delivery fee also applied to blue and green bins.

Bauer said recycling pick-up will switch from every other week to weekly in July 2027.