For important information about Organic Waste Recycling start dates and green bin information/presentations:  Read more in “Homes Serviced by the City”

Businesses looking for Organic Waste Recycling waiver: Visit “De Minimis Waiver and Alternative Service Application” section.

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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

The Compost Bin Voucher Program provides City of San Diego residents with a discount on one of three styles of compost bins or composting worms. We can provide one voucher per household with proof of residency, while supplies last. The Compost Bin Voucher Program is only for residential home use. We do not accept application requests from schools, non-profit organizations, businesses or other entities.

Please review our PDF icon Compost Bin Feature Overview to help you decide which compost bin is a good fit for your home.

To apply for a voucher, please complete the Compost Bin Voucher Application Online Form 

 

NOTICE: The Compost Bin Voucher Program will be ending on September 30, 2023. Applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. on September 25, 2023 to receive a voucher that must be redeemed by September 30, 2023.

 

Not a City of San Diego resident? Check Solana Center's directory to see if your jurisdiction offers composting vouchers.

If you live in the following jurisdictions, please check the Solana Center directory: 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. 

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!