Starting July 1, homeowners in the city of San Diego will be charged $42.76 a month for three 95 gallon cans-one for trash, one for recycling and one for organics such as yard waste or food scraps.
This solid waste fee breaks a 106 year old precedent of the city not charging single family homeowners a fee for trash pick up.
According to the city, around 85% of city residents use the three 95-gallon plan, but those who do not, can select a different plan next month. For those paying for more bin space than they want in the first few months of the fee, they can downsize and pay a lesser fee with a credit given to the home address.
This fee stems from Measure B, which was approved by San Diego voters three years ago, and allows the city to charge for waste collection services previously covered by the general fund. City officials say the fee could free up $80 million dollars in the budget.
