Where to take yard waste in San Diego County
The records list 8 sites that take yard or green waste: Otay Landfill (Chula Vista), San Pasqual Valley Soils (Escondido), Inland Pacific Resource Recovery (Lakeside), El Corazon Compost Facility (Oceanside), Miramar Greenery (San Diego), Miramar Landfill & Recycling Center (San Diego), Otay Mesa Compost Facility (San Diego) and Terra Bella Nursery (San Diego).
CalRecycle states that under SB 1383 (2016) 'all jurisdictions need to provide organic waste collection services to all residents and businesses'; CalRecycle lists 2025 targets of 75% less organic waste landfilled and 20% of edible food recovered.
Sources (checked September 2026): calrecycle.ca.gov · chulavistaca.gov · chulavistaca.gov · republicservices.com · calrecycle.ca.gov · byebyemattress.com · sandiegocounty.gov · sandiegocounty.gov · calrecycle.ca.gov · wm.com · calrecycle.ca.gov · sandiego.gov · sandiego.gov · calrecycle.ca.gov · sandiego.gov · sandiego.gov · sandiego.gov · calrecycle.ca.gov
What each city's rules say
| Jurisdiction | Its rules on yard waste | Sites its rules name |
|---|---|---|
| Unincorporated San Diego County | Franchised haulers give single-family customers in the unincorporated area two free bulky-item pickups a year, up to three items each; bulky items include furniture, mattresses, carpet, appliances, e-waste, bundled green waste, clothing and tires. | — |
Sources (checked November 2026): sandiegocounty.gov
Sites in the records, by city
| City | Site | Who can use it | Hours | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chula Vista | Otay Landfill1700 Maxwell Road | Open to self-haulers, who must state the address/city where the waste originated. Free passes (2 landfill + 2 yard waste per year, valid 90 days, 1 ton each) only for Chula Vista collection-cart customers in good standing; pick up at Republic office (Energy Way) or by phone 619-482-4024. | Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Fees: not published with a date — confirm with Republic Services. |
| Escondido | San Pasqual Valley Soils16111 Old Milky Way | Confirm with San Pasqual Valley Soils | Mon–Fri 7 AM–3 PM (County guide updated October 2022) | Fees: confirm with San Pasqual Valley Soils. |
| Lakeside | Inland Pacific Resource Recovery12415 Slaughterhouse Canyon Rd | Confirm with Inland Pacific Resource Recovery | Confirm with Inland Pacific Resource Recovery | Fees: confirm with Inland Pacific Resource Recovery. |
| Oceanside | El Corazon Compost Facility3210 Oceanside Blvd. | Yes | Mon–Fri 7:30 AM–5 PM; Sat 8 AM–4 PM. Loading stops 30 mins before closing. (County guide updated October 2022) | Fees: confirm with El Corazon Compost Facility. |
| San Diego | Miramar Greenery5180 Convoy St. | Residents and businesses (mainly those without curbside greenery recycling). Free compost giveaway events for City residents. | Monday - Saturday: 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. GREENERY: City personnel tractor loading 'only' until 4:30 p.m. (fees apply) | Fees: Miramar Tier 1 self-haul: green material $50 (City and non-City), clean wood $25, fibrous greens $75; weighed: green $72/ton, clean wood $36/ton, fibrous greens $108/ton. (Effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.) |
| San Diego | Miramar Landfill & Recycling Center5180 Convoy St. | Open to City and non-City customers; fee schedule charges higher 'Non-City Waste' rates for waste originating outside the City of San Diego. | Business hours are Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sundays. Landfill: self-dumping vehicles accepted until 4:30 p.m. No hand unloads after 4 p.m. Closed New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. | Fees: Tier 1 flat rates (passenger vehicles, pickups, cargo vans, trailers up to 9'): City Waste — general refuse $75, special handling $108, C&D debris $108, food material $75, green material $50, fibrous greens $75, clean wood $25; Non-City Waste — general refuse $86, special handling $122, C&D debris $122, food material $75, green material $50, fibrous greens $75, clean wood $25. Weighed loads per ton: general refuse $102 City / $108 non-City; special handling $142/$151; C&D $241/$257; food $108; green $72; fibrous greens $108; clean wood $36. Uncovered-load fee $50. Cash is no longer accepted (checks, Visa/Mastercard credit/debit, Deferred Payment Accounts). (Effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.) |
| San Diego | Otay Mesa Compost Facility468-A Alta Rd. | Confirm with Otay Mesa Compost Facility | Mon–Fri 6:30 AM–4 PM. No loading after 3:30 PM. (County guide Oct 2022) | Fees: confirm with Otay Mesa Compost Facility. |
| San Diego | Terra Bella Nursery302 Hollister St. | Confirm with Terra Bella Nursery | Mon–Sat 7 AM–4 PM (County guide Oct 2022; layout unclear) | Fees: confirm with Terra Bella Nursery. |
Sources (checked November 2026): chulavistaca.gov · chulavistaca.gov · republicservices.com · calrecycle.ca.gov · byebyemattress.com · sandiegocounty.gov · sandiegocounty.gov · calrecycle.ca.gov · wm.com · calrecycle.ca.gov · sandiego.gov · sandiego.gov · calrecycle.ca.gov · sandiego.gov · sandiego.gov · sandiego.gov · calrecycle.ca.gov
State rules
- CalRecycle states that under SB 1383 (2016) 'all jurisdictions need to provide organic waste collection services to all residents and businesses'; CalRecycle lists 2025 targets of 75% less organic waste landfilled and 20% of edible food recovered.
Sources (checked September 2026): calrecycle.ca.gov
Or have it hauled
If none of these fit — the item is heavy, the site's hours don't work, or you can't use it — JunkMD+ does the lifting and hauling, with a flat quote before we start: yard waste removal.
Sources
Sources (checked September 2026): calrecycle.ca.gov · sandiegocounty.gov · chulavistaca.gov · chulavistaca.gov · republicservices.com · calrecycle.ca.gov · byebyemattress.com · sandiegocounty.gov · sandiegocounty.gov · calrecycle.ca.gov · wm.com · calrecycle.ca.gov · sandiego.gov · sandiego.gov · calrecycle.ca.gov · sandiego.gov · sandiego.gov · sandiego.gov · calrecycle.ca.gov
Reviews
A selection of our Google reviews — read all 1,465 on Google
Rapid response. Excellent service. Dmitri and Alberto were thoughtful and easy to work with. A tree fell, and we cut the branches into pieces. They were able to cart them away the next day. Thank
Super friendly and professional. I a;appreciate their picking up items from anywhere in the house or yard. They always respond immediately when and schedule pick ups withing a day or 2 of the call. I won't use anyone else.
JunkMD was responsive to my message, they gave me an appointment right away and a 2-hour slot for arrival time. They gave me an estimate based on my photos, texted me in advance when they were on their way. They arrived at the site right at the start of my time slot, and removed all the yard junk quickly, sweeping the area afterwards. Courteous and friendly.…
FAQ
FAQ — where to take yard waste
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