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TRANSLATE

Using Translation

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.

Child rolling in the green organics collection bin in a driveway outside of a home
WASTE REDUCTION RESOURCES
Solving for tomorrow.

Waste Reduction Resources

If you’re looking for ways to reduce waste at home, the San Mateo County Sustainability Department is here to help. We offer free resources, workshops, and events to help residents recycle waste responsibly and reuse old items. Explore our guides, attend a Fixit Clinic, and take steps toward a more sustainable community.

How to Limit Your Waste

Reduce, reuse, repair, recycle, and compost.

tote bag filled with a reusable water bottle, utensils, and coffee mug

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Guide

Choosing to reduce, reuse, and repair is a great way to reduce your environmental footprint. View our comprehensive guide (PDF) to learn more about reusing, donating, and recycling your items.

electronics waste at recycling event in San Mateo County

Computer and Electronics Recycling

Proper reuse and recycling of old electronics reduces landfill waste and protects the environment from harmful pollution. View our comprehensive guide (PDF) to learn more about reusing, donating, and recycling your items. The Sustainability Department offers multiple free electronics recycling and reuse drop-off events throughout the county. These events offer residents a convenient way to dispose of their electronic waste responsibly.

Additionally, our Fixit Clinics are a fun and engaging way to extend the life of your electronics and household appliances. These repair clinics offer hands-on help from experts to fix your broken items and provide a collaborative space for learning with others.

person dumping food scraps from kitchen pail into backyard compost tumbler

Organic Waste and Composting

Organic waste refers to biodegradable materials that come from plants and animals, such as food scraps, yard waste, and paper products. These materials naturally decompose over time and can be transformed into useful resources rather than sitting in a landfill. Composting is a simple yet powerful method for converting kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich compost that can be applied to local parks and gardens.

We offer resources to help you get started, including compost workshops, information on curbside compost collection, and a guide to set up a home compost system.

Simple Steps to Reduce Waste at Home

Discover resources for keeping waste out of landfills and giving old items new life.

two women repairing stand mixer at San Mateo County Fixit Clinic

Repair Appliances at a Free Fixit Clinic

Find an Upcoming Workshop
boxes for collection at an electronic recycling drop-off event in Foster City

Dispose Waste Safely

Find Drop-Off Locations
woman putting clothing into box for donating

Donate Your Gently Used Items

Learn More
refuel your propane cylinders through the Refuel Your Fun Program

ReFuel Your Propane Canisters

Find Nearest Refill Station
woman shopping for fresh produce

Prevent Food Waste

See Tips to Help

The Latest News & Events

Fixit Clinic @ Half Moon Bay Library
Mar
22
Fixit Clinic @ Half Moon Bay Library

Fixit Clinics are fun community-based workshops where neighbors, friends, and families work collectively to learn how to repair broken items. We’ll provide a workspace, specialty tools, and volunteer Fixit Coaches to help you troubleshoot and provide routine maintenance to your household items and appliances! Register at https://bit.ly/itemcheckin. 

Interested in being a Fixit Coach?
It’s easy! Provide participants with 1) guidance on tools and 2) encouragement to investigate their broken item. Let them talk about how they used it and how it broke. That often provides valuable hints as to what’s wrong. See how much you can do without actually handling the item. Empower the item’s owner to do the troubleshooting and disassembly. Register to be a Fixit Coach here.

This event is hosted in partnership with the San Mateo County Libraries.

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