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The County of San Mateo has added a translation feature developed by Google Translate to assist web visitors in understanding information on this website in a variety of foreign languages. Please be aware that Google Translate, a free third party service which the County does not control, provides automated computer translations that may not give you an exact translation. The County cannot guarantee the accuracy of translations through Google Translate so translations should not be considered exact and only used as a rough guide. Anyone relying on information obtained from Google Translate does so at his or her own risk. The County disclaims and will not accept any liability for damages or losses of any kind caused by the use of the Google Translate feature.

woman adding food waste to compost bin
COMPOST QUALITY
We’re making compost – let’s make it healthy!

Compost Quality

When contaminants such as plastic, glass, and other items end up in the green bin, the result is contaminated compost that has fragments of glass, plastic, and other substances that are harmful to the environment. We’re making compost – let’s make it healthy!

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Farmer Paul from Half Moon Bay says we need your help making healthy compost
flyer requesting please keep all plastic out of the green bin for San Mateo County gardens, parks and farms

Your food scraps and yard waste are made into compost that is used to enhance soil health in gardens, parks, and farms across San Mateo County. We need everyone’s help making clean compost. Please keep all plastic out of the green bin!

It’s easy to help. Just remember:

Food in, plastic out!

  • Separate food from plastic bags, wraps, and all plastic packaging.
  • Remove twist ties and food labels/stickers.
  • If you collect your food scraps in a plastic bag, be sure to empty the contents directly into the green bin and put the plastic bag in the trash. If you want to collect food scraps in a bag that can be put in the green bin, use a paper bag as paper bags decompose in the composting process.

Resources to Get You Started

Learn more about how you can create healthy compost for our local parks and farms.

San Mateo County green bin sorting card - keep plastic out of the green bin
Download PDF (English)
Spanish language version of the San Mateo County green bin sorting card - keep plastic out of the green bin
Download PDF (Español)
Mandarin language version of the San Mateo County green bin sorting card - keep plastic out of the green bin
Download PDF (中文翻译)

Follow on social media @sustainsmc to see the campaign materials live

If you would like access to all the San Mateo County Compost Quality Improvement Campaign creative assets, please email sustainability@smcgov.org.

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