
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!


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.
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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We’re Making Compost — Let’s Make it Healthy!
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