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Backyard Composting

We are committed to providing residents composting resources and education in order to achieve greater diversion of organics entering the landfill.

For more information regarding commercial or residential organic waste collection and recycling services, please visit the New Food & Yard Waste Recycling Rules webpage.

Compost Bin Voucher Program

While in operation, the Compost Bin Voucher Program incentivized residents to practice backyard composting to utilize and recycle organic waste into a rich soil amendment, providing many benefits to soil and plant health, water conservation and carbon sequestration. 

If you live in the following jurisdictions, please check the Solana Center directory to see if a compost bin voucher program is available to you: San Diego County (unincorporated), Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Coronado, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City, Oceanside, Poway, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach or Vista.

FREE Workshops & Webinars

Visit our Recycling Events page for more information on upcoming workshops and webinars. 

Guide & Supplies

Learn how to make your own compost by reading our helpful guide. A compost bin can be made from materials found around the house or by purchasing materials from a local supplier.

Compost bins and piles are high in nutrients that can cause bacteria to grow in our stormwater system. Be sure to protect compost piles and bins from runoff with berms or other preventive measures to stop contaminated water from reaching the storm drain system and local waterways.

Composting with Kids

Composting is a great place to start to engage little ones in learning more about the soil beneath our feet, how plants and the food we eat grows and how to prevent waste with proper sorting knowledge. Here are some fun activities for young environmental stewards!

Printable Activity Sheets

  • What Goes Where - Learn what goes into the compost, recycling or landfill bins by carefully cutting along the dotted outline of each of the cutouts.
  • Wormy Ways Maze - Help the worm friend make their way to their compost bin home with this maze!
  • Wormy Words - Learn about the process of composting and the various techniques and types with these three levels word searches.

Instructional Videos

Need Assistance

Do you need help getting started composting at home or need troubleshooting assistance?

Contact our composting expert partner, Solana Center for Environmental Innovation, and get all your questions answered! 

Residential Recycling

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