San Diego is embarking on an initiative to enhance its waste management system with the introduction of smart trash and recycling bins equipped with RFID (radio frequency identification) microchips.
These advanced chips, which are already in use within the city’s green compost bins, will help the city optimize trash pickups by tracking the specific bins assigned to each home.
City officials emphasize that this technology will assist in identifying instances of hazardous waste disposal, such as lithium batteries, thus promoting safety and environmental health.
Each microchip will be assigned to a unique address, allowing the city to record the time and location of each bin pickup.
This system will transmit data to RFID readers installed on garbage trucks, which will log the date and time whenever a truck empties a bin.
The information collected will be organized into a centralized database to further refine service efficiency.
Importantly, city officials have clarified that these chips do not transmit or record real-time location data, addressing potential privacy concerns for residents.
This rollout is part of San Diego’s broader initiative to enhance service alongside a proposed fee for single-family homeowners for trash pickups.
Initially, the city had suggested a monthly fee of up to $53, but this has been adjusted to a proposed amount of $47.59 per month, which may incrementally rise to nearly $60 by 2027.
On Monday, the City Council voted 6-3 in favor of scheduling a meeting in June to discuss the proposed fee further.
In a different turn of events, San Diego officials evacuated and closed City Hall following a 5.2 magnitude earthquake that struck on Monday.
The City Council subsequently relocated its scheduled meeting on the trash fee to the San Diego Civic Theatre to accommodate the situation.
Thankfully, no significant building damage has been reported, although ongoing assessments are being conducted as a precautionary measure.
The Union-Tribune has also reported that while the earthquake did not create widespread damage across the county, several roads in eastern San Diego have been closed due to boulders that fell as well as a rockslide in Granite Hills.
Residents living near the epicenter of the quake recounted their experiences, with one office manager from Julian Pie Shop describing the tremor as “pretty powerful” and “intense.”
She noted that the shaking was so brief that there was little time to react, stating, “Everyone froze.”
San Diegans quickly took to social media to share their reactions and experiences following the earthquake.
ABC 10 showcased viewer-submitted videos capturing the shaking, with a notable portion featuring cameras wobbling rather than furniture reactions.
Among the viral moments was a video of a woman who frantically rushed to grab a baby before racing outside, repeatedly shouting, “Get out! Get out! Get out!” as another man followed closely behind.
A particularly heartwarming clip emerged from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, where a camera captured a herd of African elephants forming an alert circle around their younger companions during the earthquake.
The zoo explained that this protective behavior, known as an ‘alert circle,’ aims to shield the young elephants and the herd from potential threats.
For those unfamiliar with the specifics of seismic activity in the region, it is important to note that while San Diego is not at the highest risk for catastrophic earthquakes, it is still not completely immune to such natural occurrences.
In other news, the San Diego City Council is poised to vote on a proposed ban regarding rent-pricing algorithms commonly used by landlords.
A previous analysis indicated that renters in buildings using these algorithms paid an extra $99 on average each month, sparking concern among tenants.
Additionally, it has come to light that a senior lawyer within the San Diego City Attorney’s Office is continuing to receive full pay while on a four-month cruise, a journey she embarked on mere weeks after her promotion by the new City Attorney.
Lastly, for those looking to prepare for future earthquakes or other natural disasters, a list of valuable resources has been made available.
The Morning Report was collaboratively crafted by Tigist Layne and Andrea Lopez-Villafaña and edited by Andrea Lopez-Villafaña.
image source from：https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/04/15/morning-report-san-diegos-trash-bins-are-getting-chipped/
