Protecting the environment is a top priority for the City of Carlsbad.  From preventing storm water pollution and conserving water to recycling and renewable energy, the city actively promotes environmental sustainability. 

• Trash: The City of Carlsbad provides services for regular trash, also known as solid waste, through its authorized contractor, Waste Management. It is important to understand the difference between regular trash and items that can be recycled.
• Bulky items: Free curbside pick up of large and bulky items too big for regular trash pick up is offered to residents five (5) times per year. Appointments are required.
• Composting: Subsidized backyard compost bins and vermicompost bins are available to city residents. Contact Solana Center at 760-436-7986 for more information.
• Recycling: More than 50 percent of household trash is recyclable.  The city’s authorized contractor provides residents recycling containers to make recycling easy and hassle-free.  Businesses are provided recycling containers by Waste Management for their recycling needs.
• Household hazardous waste: Hazardous waste is any product labeled caution, warning, danger, poison, toxic, flammable or corrosive. This includes items such as household cleaners, paint, batteries, pool chemicals and automobile fluids. Electronic waste (e-waste) and sharps (needles) may be taken to household hazardous waste facilities.
• Storm water protection: The storm water protection program is intended to reduce and prevent residential and business discharges of pollutants from entering storm drains causing a violation of water quality standards and polluting creeks, lagoons and ocean.
• Sustainable city: The City of Carlsbad is committed to doing its part to care for the environment, and to offer its residents and businesses a way to practice environmental stewardship.
• Water conservation: The City of Carlsbad and the Carlsbad Municipal Water District is committed to managing the community's precious water resources wisely and efficiently. Increased conservation measures at home and at work are more important than ever before. 
• Grease: The City of Carlsbad is doing public outreach for proper disposal of fats, oils, and grease. Putting these greasy materials down a sink can lead to sewer overflows that can flood homes or businesses, spilling out into the street and can contaminate storm drains and pollute beaches and lagoons.