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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.

group of students and an instructor around a picnic table at Coyote Point
RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS
Empowering
youth and schools to take action.

Resources for Students

Our staff is here to help. Please contact us at sustainability@smcgov.org  if you would like us to stop by your school and speak to your classroom, green team, or environmental club about the following:

  • The 4R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot – Compost
  • Advice on how to improve recycling and composting at your school
  • Plastic Pollution Prevention
  • Local Environmental Issues
  • Worm and Backyard Composting
  • Careers in the Sustainability Field

Signs & Stickers

If you would like any of these signs and stickers for your green team, club, classroom, or school, please email us at sustainability@smcgov.org.

poster with tips to pack a waste-free lunch

No Waste Lunch Poster (English)

Download PDF
Spanish language poster with tips to pack a waste-free lunch

No Waste Lunch Poster (Spanish)

Download PDf
infographic of how to make compost with worms

Make Compost Using Worms Infographic Poster

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infographic of how to make your own compost

Make Your Own Compost Infographic Poster

Download PDF
poster of examples of accepted and prohibited mixed recycling items

Mixed Recycling Sign

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poster of examples of accepted and prohibited mixed recycling items

Mixed Paper Recycling Sign

Download PDF
poster of examples of accepted and prohibited bottles and cans

Bottles & Cans Recycling Sign

Download PDF
poster of examples of accepted and prohibited compost items

Compost Sign

Download PDF
poster of examples of accepted and prohibited items for landfill waste

Landfill Sign

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Learn More

The organizations listed below explain different environmental topics in a fun way!

Flows to the Bay

A watershed is the land that water flows over or through on its way to a creek, delta, bay, or ocean. Everyone lives in a watershed, and everything that happens in the watershed affects water quality and habitat quality for fish, birds, and other living things. There are over 80 watersheds in San Mateo County! Find yours by visiting Flows to the Bay Interactive Watershed Map.

Safe Routes to School

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…welcome to the Star Wars themed Virtual Escape Room! This escape room was made by the Safe Routes to School team at the San Mateo County Office of Education. To learn more visit Baby Yoda’s Safe Journey.

Stop Waste

Take Action to Reduce Waste! Are you ready to join the League of 4R’s Action Heroes and take action to reduce waste? Meet the founding members of the League and come up with your own action hero identity! To learn more visit StopWaste Action Heroes!

Climate Change

The earth’s climate is changing. While the planet’s climate has changed before, this time is different. People are causing these changes, which are bigger and happening faster than any climate changes that modern society has ever seen. To learn more visit The Environmental Protection Agency Resources for Students.

Sea Level Rise

Earth is getting warmer, and as a result, global sea levels are rising.  But why is this?  What is the connection between rising global temperatures and rising seas?  We’ll explore how the properties and behavior of water at the molecular scale can impact the earth—and people—on a global scale. To learn more visit California Academy of Sciences Resources for Students.

The Latest News & Events

Compost Workshop
Jun
27
Compost Workshop

Learn how easy and fun it is to recycle your fruit and vegetable scraps, leaves, and plant cuttings into compost in these free workshops! These workshops teach composting options suitable for those with or without a backyard. Apartment dwellers welcome! Compost provides valuable nutrients for your garden soil, helps retain moisture, which saves water, prevents erosion, loosens clay and compacted soils for better drainage, and suppresses weeds. It is rewarding to know you are turning what some consider waste into precious organic material for your garden.

Discounts and rebates for backyard compost and worm compost bins will be distributed to San Mateo County residents!

COMPOST WORKSHOP

Date: June 27, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Foster City Community Garden
Register here.

LEARN MORE
Collage with four nature images and text in middle that reads '2026 Earth Month'

2026 Earth Month Events

Happy Earth Month! As we step further into spring, the month of April reminds us to celebrate our planet and continue…
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Group photo of YCA cohort 7

Youth Climate Ambassadors Graduation & Community…

After two semesters of hard work, our 7th Youth Climate Ambassadors cohort officially graduated! At…
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Family of three walking along the shoreline at Cooley Landing in East Palo Alto.

How King Tides Help Us Prepare for the Future

In January, we had an amazing Coffee and King Tides event at Cooley Landing in East Palo Alto! We…
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