Property owners scramble to transition to private haulers as deadline approaches

The city declared 21,000 properties ineligible for city trash service. They have a few weeks to negotiate trash pick up deals, but for some that process has been complicated.

“It’s just very frustrating,” Michael Klose said. “It feels like we’re being taken advantage of.”

Klose is among many San Diegans frustrated with the trash collection fee recently approved by San Diego City Council.

“We’re already paying for trash pickup with our property taxes. Why are we now going to be charged again? It just seems like they’re double charging us, they’re double dipping,” Klose said.

The long-time Point Loma resident said he attended a city meeting a few months back, before the fee was approved, hoping to get some answers.

Instead, he walked away disappointed.

“When I hear the money is going into the general fund, that’s telling me that the money can be spent wherever they need it or want to put it, rather than for the trash pickup,” Klose said.

The city has given property owners, homeowners associations, and management companies a deadline to secure a new private trash service based on their current trash collection day.

With the deadline approaching, only about 20 percent of the newly ineligible properties have secured new service, according to the San Diego Union Tribune.

Bob Rubalcaba lives in San Diego but owns apartments in Chula Vista and Spring Valley.

He understands the challenges of securing a private trash hauler.

“You can only pass so much to the renters and the reality is that the renters are struggling as it is now,” Rubalcaba said.

In a statement to NBC 7, the city said they will continue to work with property owners who are transitioning off city service, and they encourage them to contact environmental services with questions and concerns.

Adding in part, “The city will continue to provide trash and recycling services for these properties as they transition to private hauler service, at no charge.”

“They do a great job, and their prices are relatively comparable to what we’re paying right now, which is basically 30 bucks a month, 40 bucks a month per unit,” Rubalcaba said.

He’s also heard of other property owners who are scrambling to get their private trash pickup service before the deadline.