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Environmental Services

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

Please be advised that the Compost Bin Voucher Program is currently not accepting applications due to an overwhelming demand and limited supply of compost bins as a result of the pandemic impacts to the supply chain. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to reopen the program once sufficient compost bins are available at our vendor's stores.

In the meantime, please see the resources below and visit our partner, Solana Center for Environmental Innovation's website, for additional composting resources and do-it-yourself home composting options.

Master Composter Course & FREE Workshops

Visit our Calendar of Events page to sign up for a FREE upcoming workshop, or find out when our annual Master Composter Course takes place. 

Guides & Supplies

Learn how to make your own compost by reading our helpful guides. A compost bin can be acquired through our compost bin voucher program, but can also 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

  • PDF icon 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.
  • PDF icon Wormy Ways Maze - Help the worm friend make their way to their compost bin home with this maze!
  • PDF icon 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 free help or have questions getting started with your new compost bin or have issues composting at home?

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

  • Call the Rotline at 760-436-7986 Ext. 700
  • Email compost@solanacenter.org
  • Click here to schedule a free 30-minute virtual technical assistance consultation with a Solana Center Composting Educator