San Diego's Trashiest City Reduces Waste by 6 Percent

Lori Somers with Waste Management said at Monday night's Del Mar City Council meeting that there has been a reduction in trash and increase in recycling in Del Mar in the past year. Del Mar has the reputation as having the highest waste disposed per capita per day in San Diego County, according to Equinox Center’s lasted figures from 2011.

Waste Management, the city's trash and recycling service provider, charted the progress since replacing the recycling carts in Del Mar in March 2012. Since this time trash generation was reduced by 6 percent and recycling has increased by 2 lbs per week per residence.

Somers also reminded Del Mar residents that household batteries and cell phones can be placed in a clear sealed bag and placed on top of their recycling bin for curbside pickup.

In addition, Waste Management is currently planning a recycling program for sharps/needles for Del Mar residents. Somers said it is currently working with Del Mar Connections, a local nonprofit, for this project.

City Councilman Donald Mosier expressed privacy and HIPPA compliance concerns for those participating in the proposed program.

“It is a difficult problem to solve, but I think the city should be the one to solve it,” said Mosier.

In other recycling news, Waste Management provided results to the city of a recent recycling event held Jan. 26 in Del Mar.

122 participants dropped off the following recyclables:

• 4,020 lbs shredded paper
• 49 lbs medication
• 62 lbs medical sharps
• 233 lbs household batteries
• 60 lbs of CFLs
• 30 lbs of fluorescent tubes