Trash isn’t free anymore – Now is the perfect time to go low-waste in San Diego
If you live in San Diego County, get ready for a big shift: starting soon, homeowners will have to pay up to $43.60/month for trash and recycling pickup – a service that’s been “free” for decades.
Whether you own your home or rent one, this change will impact you. And while the news might sting (inflation is already doing enough, thanks), it’s also the perfect time to make a move toward something better: low-waste living.
Here’s what’s going on, what it means for you, and how reducing your waste could help both the planet and your wallet.
So what’s changing, exactly?
For years, trash collection in the City of San Diego was covered by taxpayers, thanks to something called the People’s Ordinance of 1919. But that ordinance is ending—because honestly, it doesn’t make sense anymore. Now, homeowners will start receiving monthly bills for curbside trash and recycling service, with pricing based on the size of your bin.
Yup. That means the more trash you make, the more you pay.
Plans are expected to range from around $25 to $45 per month, depending on how much garbage you generate. Smaller bins = smaller bills. Simple.
And if you’re a renter in a single-family home or small building? There’s a solid chance this will trickle down into your monthly utilities or rent. Landlords don’t love absorbing new costs, and unfortunately, tenants often get stuck footing the bill.
What does this mean for you?
Whether you rent or own, one thing is clear: trash is about to become an expense. And that means how much you throw away? It matters more than ever.
So if you’ve been refill-curious or wondering if your composting era is about to begin, this is your sign.
Why low-waste living makes sense right now
Trash bills are going up. Landfills are overflowing. Recycling is broken (most things don’t even actually get recycled). And most of the stuff we toss – plastic wrap, shampoo bottles, food scraps, broken junk from Amazon – was never designed to last in the first place.
Low-waste living flips the script.
Instead of constantly tossing and rebuying, you refill, reuse, repurpose, and reduce. And in San Diego’s new trash economy, less trash = less cash.
The city is offering lower monthly rates for smaller trash bins, so the more waste you cut out of your routine, the more you can save. Going low-waste doesn’t just feel good; it pays.
Easy swaps that reduce waste (and your trash bill)
You don’t have to overhaul your entire life. Just start small. Here are a few swaps we love that also shrink your trash footprint:
Refill your soap instead of buying new bottles
At Vessel, you can refill dish soap, laundry detergent, shampoo, body wash, and more. Bring your own bottle (or grab one from our free jar library) and fill up on exactly what you need. No plastic bottles in your trash = one step closer to that smaller bin plan.
Wrap your food in Bee’s Wrap, not plastic film
Reusable beeswax wraps are washable, long-lasting, and infinitely less annoying than cling wrap. Less food waste + less packaging waste = win.
Switch to a bamboo toothbrush
Plus our bamboo tooth brushes have castor oil bristles so it’s fully compostable, plastic-free, and actually looks cuter by your sink.
Try plastic-free deodorant
Most conventional deodorants come in hard-to-recycle tubes. Ours come in compostable tubes or are completely unpackaged, so your pits smell fresh and your trash can stays empty.
Replace paper towels with reusable cloths
Reusable “unpaper” towels and dishcloths last for months, clean better, and dramatically cut down what you toss.
What if you rent?
If you rent a house or small unit, your landlord will likely be the one receiving the new trash bill. But let’s be real… they’re probably going to pass it along in the form of higher utilities or rent.
Going low-waste means you can push back against those costs. If your household generates less trash, your landlord can opt for a smaller bin at a lower rate. That’s savings for them and you. If you’re in a rental, don’t be afraid to start that conversation.
TL;DR – Trash is getting expensive. Waste less, pay less.
- San Diego residents will soon pay for trash pickup
- The bigger your bin, the more you’ll pay
- Renters will likely see higher utility costs too
- Choosing low-waste habits now can shrink your monthly bill
- It’s better for your wallet, your planet, and your peace of mind
Ready to shrink your bin?
Start small. Pick one product you usually toss and make a simple swap. Refill your soap. Try reusable wrap. Compost your scraps. You don’t need to be zero-waste, you just need to waste less.
Come visit us at Vessel Refills in Escondido. We’ll help you find the right swaps, refill your faves, and make low-waste living work for your real life, not just your Instagram feed.
Because trash isn’t free anymore. But choosing a better way? That still is.
Refill. Reuse. Reanimate. Let’s go, Escondido!