Does the City of San Diego pick up bulky items?
Not right now. The City of San Diego says its curbside bulky item pickup is paused until further notice. Residents can self-haul furniture and other bulky junk to Miramar Landfill, which charges a flat fee per load, donate items in good condition, or hire a hauler such as Pacific Haul & Wash.
Other cities in the county contract with private haulers whose bulky item rules vary. WasteFreeSD lists the options for each city.
Sources: City of San Diego Environmental Services, City of San Diego Environmental Services
How do I get rid of a mattress in San Diego?
Take it to a Bye Bye Mattress drop-off site for free recycling. In the City of San Diego that is the drop-off at the Miramar Landfill entrance, open weekdays 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Otay Landfill, Sycamore Landfill and the Palomar Transfer Station also take them. Mattresses must be dry and free of bedbugs.
Charities such as Father Joe's Villages do not accept mattresses or box springs, so donation is rarely an option.
Sources: City of San Diego Environmental Services, Mattress Recycling Council
Where do I take paint, chemicals and other hazardous waste?
It depends on where you live. City of San Diego residents get free appointments at the Miramar household hazardous waste facility on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Unincorporated communities use the County program. Other cities list their programs on WasteFreeSD, and Temecula and Murrieta use Riverside County. Junk haulers cannot take hazardous waste.
The Miramar facility limits each trip to 15 gallons or 125 pounds and does not accept appliances, electronics, treated wood, asbestos or business waste.
Sources: City of San Diego Environmental Services, County of San Diego Department of Public Works, San Diego regional recycling partners, Riverside County Department of Waste Resources
Can I throw TVs and electronics in the trash in California?
No. California treats many electronics, including TVs, monitors and devices with batteries, as hazardous or universal waste that cannot go in household trash. Miramar Landfill requires electronics to be removed before a load enters. Use a certified e-waste recycler, a city collection event, or a hauler that routes electronics to recycling.
Working electronics can often be donated. Father Joe's Villages takes working TVs, computers and similar devices, and California law requires them to record the donor's information.
Sources: CalRecycle, City of San Diego Environmental Services
How do I dispose of a refrigerator or washer in San Diego?
Appliances cannot be dumped at Miramar Landfill with regular trash. They must be properly disposed of first, because refrigerators, freezers and AC units contain refrigerant that has to be recovered. Options include retailer haul-away with a new purchase, a metal or appliance recycler, or a hauler that delivers them to recycling.
Source: City of San Diego Environmental Services
Where can I dump yard waste in San Diego?
Miramar Landfill accepts green material from cars, pickups and small trailers for a flat $50 per load in fiscal year 2027, the cheapest category on its fee schedule. Clean wood is $25 per load. Mixed loads of yard waste and trash are charged as general refuse, so keep green waste separate.
Source: City of San Diego Environmental Services
What does it cost to dump construction debris at Miramar?
In fiscal year 2027 Miramar Landfill charges $108 per Tier 1 load of construction and demolition debris from inside the City of San Diego, and $122 from outside it. Larger trucks and trailers fall into Tier 2, at $352 or $374 per load. Asbestos and other regulated materials need special handling.
Source: City of San Diego Environmental Services
Where can I donate furniture in San Diego?
Goodwill Industries of San Diego County and Father Joe's Villages both accept gently used furniture. Father Joe's offers free donation pickup for furniture two people can carry, left at entry level. Stained, broken or torn pieces, mattresses and very large items such as pianos are refused, which is when a haul-away makes sense.
Sources: Goodwill Industries of San Diego County, Father Joe's Villages
How do I report illegal dumping in San Diego?
In the City of San Diego, report dumped furniture, mattresses and debris on public property through the Get It Done app or website, which routes the request to the right City department. Dumping on private property is usually the owner's responsibility to clear, which is where a hauler like Pacific Haul & Wash comes in.
Source: City of San Diego
How to recycle a mattress for free in San Diego
You will need: mattress or box spring, vehicle that can carry it, tarp or plastic cover to keep it dry.
1. Check the condition
Make sure the mattress is dry, not severely damaged or soiled, and free of bedbugs. Sites can refuse wet or infested mattresses.
2. Pick the nearest drop-off
City of San Diego residents can use the drop-off at the Miramar Landfill entrance, 5161 Convoy St, open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Otay Landfill, Sycamore Landfill and the Palomar Transfer Station also take mattresses.
3. Cover and secure the load
Wrap or tarp the mattress and strap it down. Uncovered loads at Miramar are charged a $50 fee.
4. Drop it off
Tell the attendant you are dropping off a mattress for recycling. Through the Bye Bye Mattress program there is no fee.
Rather skip the trip? Book mattress removal and we carry it out for you.
