Do You Know Where Your Recycling Goes in SLO County?
Everyone knows recycling goes in your blue bin, whether it's at home, at work, or when you're walking around town (no plastic bags please!)
But, do you know what happens when recycling goes "away"? There are plenty of misconceptions and tall tales about recycling, but we're here to tell you that it works. A lot. Recycling keeps thousands of tons of material out of the landfill each month in SLO County alone. And almost all of that material stays domestic, getting turned into new bottles, cans and other items right here in the United States.
Don't believe us? Have a look at this map to learn about the next life of your recycling. And thanks for doing your part!
At their regular meeting on June 10, 2026, the San Luis Obispo Intergrated Waste Management Authority (IWMA) Board of Directors voted unanimously to adjust their Solid Waste Management Fee to 2.1% for all commercial and residential customers, effective July 1, 2026. This change will be reflected as of July 1, 2026 on all invoices. Any questions about this change may be directed via email to IWMA@IWMA.com.
Exciting news: We are now able to accept all kinds of food grade cartons in our recycling stream! Rinse them out, leave the lids attached, and add them to your blue bin - an easy way to keep another common household item out of the landfill. The cartons we collect will be processed here in California, and turned into building insulation material, similar to drywall. Unfortunately, only cartons similar to those pictured below are elgible for this program. Other similar items such as ice cream containers and paper cups use different materials in their insulation layers, so we are unable to accept them at this time.
As required by California Senate Bill 1383 (SB1383) we are providing an annual informational notice regarding solid waste, recycling and organics/green waste diversion efforts here in SLO County, as prepared by the Integrated Waste Management Authority (IWMA). Please find the report included below. You can also view the updated 2026 Quick Guides to waste diversion here o léelo aquí. If you have any questions about the contents of this information, you may contact the IWMA at (805) 782-8530.
Thank you for your assistance keeping SLO County green and clean!
County of San Luis Obispo: Notice of Public Hearing Regarding Proposed Rate Increase
This notice is intended to inform that the County of San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors will discuss rate increases proposed by the Garbage Company for properties and customers receiving solid waste, recycling, and green waste services within unincorporated areas of the County. A public hearing will be held on June 17, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Chambers, 1055 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo.
Please click on the button below for further details on the meeting and proposed rate increases:
Mission Country Disposal: Unincorporated areas of the County, including rural areas surrounding Los Osos, Morro Bay, Cayucos, San Simeon, Cambria and Harmony More Info
San Luis Garbage: Unincorporated areas of the County, including rural areas surrounding the City of San Luis Obispo, Airport, Rolling Hills Country Club, Evans Road, and Davenport Creek Rd. More Info
South County Sanitary Services: Unincorporated areas of the County, including rural areas surrounding Avila Beach, Arroyo Grande, Varian Ranch & Halcyon, Nipomo Bluff, Nipomo Mesa, Woodlands, and Los Berros More Info
City of San Luis Obispo: Notice of Proposed Solid Waste Rate Adjustment
This notice is intended to inform that the San Luis Obispo City Council will hold a public hearing regarding rate adjustments proposed by the Garbage Company for properties and customers receiving solid waste, recycling, and organics services within the City during their regularly scheduled City Council Meeting on March 18, 2025 at 5:30 PM.
Please click on the English or Spanish version button below for further details on the meeting and proposed rate increase.
City of Pismo Beach: Notice of Proposed Solid Waste Rate Increase
This notice is intended to inform that the City of Pismo Beach City Council will discuss rate increases proposed by the Garbage Company for properties and customers receiving solid waste, recycling, and green waste services within the City during their regularly scheduled City Council Meeting on January 21st at 5:30 PM. Please click on the button below for further details on the meeting and proposed rate increase.
City of Grover Beach: Notice of Public Hearing Regarding Proposed Solid Waste Rate Increase
This notice is intended to inform that the City of Grover Beach will hold a public hearing regarding rate increases proposed by the Garbage Company for properties and customers receiving solid waste, recycling, and green waste services within the District. Please click on the “Read the Notice” button below for further details on the meeting and proposed rate increase.
Cambria Community Services District: Notice of Public Hearing Regarding Proposed Solid Waste Rate Increase
This notice is intended to inform that the Cambria Community Services District will hold a public hearing regarding rate increases proposed by the Garbage Company for properties and customers receiving solid waste, recycling, and organics services within the District. Please click on the appropriate button below for further details on the meeting and proposed rate increase.
Nipomo Community Services District: Notice of Public Hearing Regarding Proposed Solid Waste Rate Increase
This notice is intended to inform that the Nipomo Community Services District will hold a public hearing regarding rate increases proposed by the Garbage Company for properties and customers receiving solid waste, recycling, and organics services within the District. Please click on the appropriate button below for further details on the meeting and proposed rate increase.
San Luis Garbage, South County Sanitary, Mission Country Disposal and Morro Bay Garbage are commited to the communities they serve in SLO County. In the News section, we publish information about service updates, community events, and useful information about safe recycling and disposal.
Waste Connections is providing this notice to comply with the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (“CCPA”) and other California privacy laws. Any terms defined in the CCPA have the same meaning when used in this notice.
If you have any questions or comments about this notice, our Privacy Policy, or our supplemental California Privacy Policy, the ways in which we collect and use your personal information, your choices and rights regarding such use, or wish to exercise your rights under California law, please visit us at https://www.wasteconnections.com/ccpa or call our toll-free number at 844-858-2240.
