Trash Disposal Services
Many unhoused Californians lack access to trash and sharps disposal services, making it difficult to keep their living areas safe and clean—even though they are willing to use these services when available. To learn more about how improved waste collection solutions can benefit everyone’s health and environment. Click the button below to view a preliminary draft of the SDSU PSJ WaSH report – the perspectives contained in the report are those of the PSJ research team only and do not necessarily reflect the views of any of our funders.
Trash Disposal Services
Many unhoused Californians lack access to trash and sharps disposal services, making it difficult to keep their living areas safe and clean—even though they are willing to use these services when available. To learn more about how improved waste collection solutions can benefit everyone’s health and environment. Click the button below to view a preliminary draft of the SDSU PSJ WaSH report – the perspectives contained in the report are those of the PSJ research team only and do not necessarily reflect the views of any of our funders.
Lack of accessible waste disposal fuels dumping
“People want trash bags because they’re not trying to live in squalor any more than they have to. Driving by, the eye test of your average, housed citizen, is that they just see a pile of stuff seemingly haphazardly covered with a tarp. Those are people’s belongings. They’re actually doing their best. If you took my living space and my bedroom, for example, if that was now here, if my bedroom was outside, it would not look organized.” – Homeless Outreach Specialist
Lack of accessible waste disposal fuels dumping
“People want trash bags because they’re not trying to live in squalor any more than they have to. Driving by, the eye test of your average, housed citizen, is that they just see a pile of stuff seemingly haphazardly covered with a tarp. Those are people’s belongings. They’re actually doing their best. If you took my living space and my bedroom, for example, if that was now here, if my bedroom was outside, it would not look organized.” – Homeless Outreach Specialist
Clean Camps, Stronger Connections
Unsheltered Californians often lack access to trash bins and pick-up services, making it hard for them to safely dispose of waste and keep their surroundings clean. By providing more trash bags, regular pick-up, and easy-to-use disposal options, we can protect public health, build trust, and create cleaner, healthier communities for everyone.
Clean Camps, Stronger Connections
Unsheltered Californians often lack access to trash bins and pick-up services, making it hard for them to safely dispose of waste and keep their surroundings clean. By providing more trash bags, regular pick-up, and easy-to-use disposal options, we can protect public health, build trust, and create cleaner, healthier communities for everyone.
Unsheltered people go to great lengths to maintain a clean living environment
“We were talking about the young couple that stays up—if you want to come out again next week, you would find their encampment (…) and they work tirelessly to keep it clean and put their trash in an area.”
Unsheltered people go to great lengths to maintain a clean living environment
“We were talking about the young couple that stays up—if you want to come out again next week, you would find their encampment (…) and they work tirelessly to keep it clean and put their trash in an area.”
The inability to dispose waste makes disease outbreaks more likely
“A while back, there was (…) a shigella outbreak. I see people – you know, when I was in the Riverbed, I met a lot of people who were like, “Oh, yes, I had (…) [MRSA] (…) and they had all these scars on their body…”
The inability to dispose waste makes disease outbreaks more likely
“A while back, there was (…) a shigella outbreak. I see people – you know, when I was in the Riverbed, I met a lot of people who were like, “Oh, yes, I had (…) [MRSA] (…) and they had all these scars on their body…”
Providing dumpsters and trash bags to encampments provides an immediate benefit for improving sanitary conditions
“In fact, one thing (…) to hand out are trash bags. People want trash bags so they can keep their trash. Because they’re not trying to live in squalor any more than they have to.”
Providing dumpsters and trash bags to encampments provides an immediate benefit for improving sanitary conditions
“In fact, one thing (…) to hand out are trash bags. People want trash bags so they can keep their trash. Because they’re not trying to live in squalor any more than they have to.”
Successful outreach addresses immediate waste management needs while providing pathways to employment
“There’s an agency that does wilderness cleanup, but it’s designed to give people work, temporary or full-time. We’re trying to get her a job and job training.”
Successful outreach addresses immediate waste management needs while providing pathways to employment
“There’s an agency that does wilderness cleanup, but it’s designed to give people work, temporary or full-time. We’re trying to get her a job and job training.”
Human Needs and Survival Strategies
Everyone produces trash and needs a way to get rid of it. There are two main types of waste that must be thrown away: regular solid waste (like everyday trash) and biowaste, which includes things like needles and any items that have touched blood or other body fluids. On average, each person in California throws away about 6.7 pounds of trash every day.
Human Needs and Survival Strategies
Everyone produces trash and needs a way to get rid of it. There are two main types of waste that must be thrown away: regular solid waste (like everyday trash) and biowaste, which includes things like needles and any items that have touched blood or other body fluids. On average, each person in California throws away about 6.7 pounds of trash every day.
Health Implications
We all create trash, but unsheltered people do not have the same resources to safely get rid of it. Regular and biohazard waste need to be managed differently to protect our environment and health. Unsheltered Californians often lack access to trash bins and pickup services, making it hard for them to keep their surroundings clean—yet they are often unfairly blamed for illegal dumping. By understanding these challenges, we can work toward solutions that protect both people and our communities.
Health Implications
We all create trash, but unsheltered people do not have the same resources to safely get rid of it. Regular and biohazard waste need to be managed differently to protect our environment and health. Unsheltered Californians often lack access to trash bins and pickup services, making it hard for them to keep their surroundings clean—yet they are often unfairly blamed for illegal dumping. By understanding these challenges, we can work toward solutions that protect both people and our communities.
Basic Standards of Care
Everyone deserves easy-to-use trash and sharps disposal options. When collection bins and sharps containers are available in public restrooms, hospitals, and shelters, unhoused residents are more likely to use them and keep their surroundings safe and clean. The best approach is to offer regular pick-up services at homes, shelters, and encampments, with clear communication and respect for what residents choose to throw away.
Basic Standards of Care
Everyone deserves easy-to-use trash and sharps disposal options. When collection bins and sharps containers are available in public restrooms, hospitals, and shelters, unhoused residents are more likely to use them and keep their surroundings safe and clean. The best approach is to offer regular pick-up services at homes, shelters, and encampments, with clear communication and respect for what residents choose to throw away.
Promising Practices
Giving trash bags and offering regular trash pickup to unhoused residents helps keep their communities cleaner and healthier—without forcing anyone to move or lose their belongings. This approach encourages trust, connects people to important services like housing and mental health support, and is far more effective than punishing people with sweeps or anti-camping laws. By working with outreach and environmental groups, cities can also make sure people living near rivers have clean water and hygiene supplies. Evidence shows that treating unhoused residents with respect leads to better outcomes for everyone.
Promising Practices
Giving trash bags and offering regular trash pickup to unhoused residents helps keep their communities cleaner and healthier—without forcing anyone to move or lose their belongings. This approach encourages trust, connects people to important services like housing and mental health support, and is far more effective than punishing people with sweeps or anti-camping laws. By working with outreach and environmental groups, cities can also make sure people living near rivers have clean water and hygiene supplies. Evidence shows that treating unhoused residents with respect leads to better outcomes for everyone.
Key Takeaway
Many unhoused people lack access to trash bins and regular waste pickup, making it much harder for them to safely dispose of garbage and medical waste. This leads to unfair blame for illegal dumping, when the real problem is a lack of resources and support. By providing easy-to-use trash bags, bins, and sharps containers in public spaces and offering regular, respectful trash pickup, we help keep communities cleaner and healthier. Working together with outreach groups and treating unhoused residents with respect leads to better outcomes and connects people to vital services, benefiting everyone.
Key Takeaway
Many unhoused people lack access to trash bins and regular waste pickup, making it much harder for them to safely dispose of garbage and medical waste. This leads to unfair blame for illegal dumping, when the real problem is a lack of resources and support. By providing easy-to-use trash bags, bins, and sharps containers in public spaces and offering regular, respectful trash pickup, we help keep communities cleaner and healthier. Working together with outreach groups and treating unhoused residents with respect leads to better outcomes and connects people to vital services, benefiting everyone.
Your Guide to WaSH Resources
Learn how improving access to water, restrooms, trash disposal, handwashing, showers, menstrual hygiene, and laundry services can transform the lives of unhoused Californians and build healthier communities for all. Each resource provides immediate relief while supporting dignity, public health, and long-term solutions. Click on a topic below to discover more.
Your Guide to WaSH Resources
Learn how improving access to water, restrooms, trash disposal, handwashing, showers, menstrual hygiene, and laundry services can transform the lives of unhoused Californians and build healthier communities for all. Each resource provides immediate relief while supporting dignity, public health, and long-term solutions. Click on a topic below to discover more.
WaSH Services Homepage
Discover ways to provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene services to people experiencing homelessness.
(Click to read more…)
Water for Drinking and Other Survival Strategies
Learn how providing bottled water and 24/7 public water access supports unsheltered Californians.
(Click to read more…)
Toilets
Discover how expanding access to clean, safe public restrooms can improve health and dignity for all Californians.
(Click to read more…)
Handwashing
Learn how reliable access to water, soap, and plumbing helps stop the spread of diseases such as Hepatitis A.
(Click to read more…)
Showers
Discover how mobile showers and community facilities provide safe, dignified access to essential hygiene for Californians experiencing homelessness.
(Click to read more…)
Menstrual Hygiene
Discover how providing free menstrual products and clean facilities supports vulnerable unsheltered people who menstruate.
(Click to read more…)
Laundry
Discover how clean clothes can improve health, dignity, and job opportunities for unsheltered individuals.
(Click to read more…)