San Diego city inspectors are conducting checks on trash bins: this is why

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- San Diego city inspectors are conducting checks on trash bins across the city to prevent fires caused by combustible waste, following a rise in trash truck fires.

The inspections aim to ensure that residents are properly sorting their waste, with combustible materials like batteries and propane tanks being a particular focus.

"Combustible materials end up in our trash cans and recycling bins, and this has led to several trash truck fires," said Alexander Galasso, Waste Reduction Program Manager for Environmental Services. He says the city has experienced 25 trash truck fires this year due to improper disposal of such materials.

Inspectors are checking to make sure green waste is in green bins without plastic bags, recyclables are in blue bins, and trash remains in trash bins. They are particularly vigilant about ensuring that hazardous materials like batteries, paint and other flammable items are not improperly disposed of.

"Don’t put batteries, propane tanks -- don’t put anything flammable in the trash," said Galasso. "We have the resources for you to put them where everything belongs.”

Residents are encouraged to visit the Environmental Services website to schedule drop-offs for hazardous materials such as batteries, chemicals and pesticides.

To help residents comply, inspectors are leaving "oops" tags on bins with minor contamination issues. These tags serve as reminders for proper waste sorting.

In cases of severe contamination, trash pickup may be refused, although the city prefers to focus on raising awareness rather than enforcement.

"Will there be enforcement if need be? Yes, but we really want to lead first with that awareness," said Galasso. "That’s how we get by and make things get better."

The city's proactive approach aims to reduce the risk of fires and improve waste management practices through education, with enforcement as a last resort.

FOX 5/KUSI's Jaime Chambers contributed to this report.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KSWB. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KSWB staff before being published.