WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS
America Recycles Day – Residential Recycling Tips & Resources
America Recycles Day is November 15th and a great day to remind ourselves of the importance of recycling and the role it plays in preventing water pollution. Household pollutants such as trash, plastics, yard waste, food waste, and more, if not disposed of or recycled properly, can flow from our property through water runoff into our storm drain system. Pollutants that enter our storm drain system are not treated and can ultimately end up in our local waterways and ocean. One of the most effective ways to prevent pollutants from reaching our waterways is to not generate waste in the first place by reusing, repurposing, donating, and recycling. Not only will you be helping to protect our waterways, but you’ll also be saving energy, conserving natural resources, and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills. Here are some helpful waste reduction resources and tips to keep in mind on November 15th and every day of the year!
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Practice recycling basics and stop contamination by learning how to recycle the right way. Items should be empty (with no food residue remaining), dry (with no liquid remaining), and loose (not bagged) when placing them in your recycling bins. Acceptable items for your blue curbside bin include paper, cardboard, cartons, plastic, glass, and metal. Make sure the lid on your bin stays closed so that litter doesn’t end up in our waterways.
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Minimize household waste by reducing, reusing, recycling, repairing, and repurposing items to prevent pollutants from entering our storm drains. Don’t buy items you don’t need, and avoid single-use items, especially plastics. Instead, reuse items or give them to others who could use them through various donation sites across the County or by hosting a swap party for second-hand items. Rethink cardboard use by offering excess boxes to your neighbors, tearing up into small pieces to use as a weed blocker in your garden, or repurposing them into new items like play equipment for children. Repairing damaged items and repurposing them for reuse is another great way to decrease trash. Get help with your repairs at the many San Diego Fixit Clinics regularly offered throughout the County. Waste Free SD also has a helpful search tool that identifies where and how you can dispose of all types of household waste as well as donate items.
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Reduce food waste through proper meal planning and recycling organic waste. Proper meal planning can help reduce food waste by planning ahead, serving smartly, and using leftovers. Prepare the correct amount of food for your guests by using the Save The Food’s Guest-imator Learn great tips at the County webpage on how to recycle organic waste. Take it a step further by composting excess or unused food.
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Challenge yourself, family, friends, and coworkers, to recycle more in your everyday lives. Join Keep America Beautiful in their #AmericaRecyclesChallenge. Turn America Recycles Day into America Recycles Month by completing a daily challenge using the 2026 America Recycles Calendar.
Thank you, County residents, for all you do to prevent stormwater pollution this Thanksgiving season and always! Taking on a reduced-waste lifestyle is just one of the many actions you can take to protect our environment and preserve our water quality. Visit the County’s Watershed Protection Program to learn about other ways to prevent stormwater pollution.
County-Sponsored Stormwater Pollution Prevention Events – November 2026
Play a role in protecting the County’s waterways from stormwater pollution by attending these pollution-prevention and waste reduction events being offered in November.
Unincorporated Residents of San Diego Recycling and Waste Reduction Events – The following events will be offered in November.
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November 1, 12:30pm to 3:30pm – I Love a Clean San Diego (ILACSD) – Lakeside Pumpkin Smash Festival & Compost Giveaway – Attend this first-ever free family-friendly Pumpkin Smash Festival & Compost Giveaway focused on sustainability. Bring your used pumpkins to smash them in the organic waste collection area, pick up free compost, and drop off gently-used Halloween costumes for donation. Learn more about recycling and waste reduction at the many educational booths and other activities. Site location: Lakeside Community Center, Lakeside. Learn more or RSVP.
University of California Cooperative Extension’s (UCCE) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program – Healthy Garden-Healthy Home Fall Virtual Workshop – Irrigation: Save Money on Water – November 7, 10am to 11:30am – Learn how to evaluate and improve your irrigation system to provide your landscape with the water it needs while reducing waste, runoff, and erosion. This class will cover practical strategies for customizing irrigation methods to fit your landscape, improving system performance, and saving money on water while maintaining a thriving garden. Learn more or register.
Solana Center for Environmental Innovation Waste Reduction Events – A variety of waste reduction and composting events will be offered in November. The County of San Diego is proud to sponsor the events below. See the full calendar and description of events here.
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November 7, 10am to 12pm – Landscaping for Erosion Control and Pollution Prevention - Spring Valley. Learn more or register.
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November 15, 1pm to 3pm – Manure Composting for Backyard Farmers Workshop - Fallbrook. Learn more or register.
I Love a Clean San Diego (ILACSD) – The following events will be offered in November.
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