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Fall in Carlsbad often feels like an extension of summer, with warm days and little rain. But when the first rains arrive, they wash months of leaves, litter and chemicals off our streets and into storm drains that lead directly to creeks, lagoons and the ocean. This season, we’re focusing on how to prepare before the rain, refresh your recycling basics ahead of America Recycles Day and keep your yard healthy and water-wise. 

Prevent stormwater pollution this fall

Southern California’s drier weather can make it easy to forget that stormwater runoff is our single biggest source of water pollution. The first big rain of the season acts like a broom, sweeping whatever is on the ground straight into our waterways. Unlike the water that enters sinks or toilets, stormwater is not treated before reaching the ocean. 

Prevent pollution with some easy tips: 

• Sweep up leaves and yard waste instead of blowing or hosing them into the street. 
• Do not apply fertilizers, pesticides or insecticides before any forecasted rain.  
• Close trash and recycling cart lids so debris doesn’t wash out. 
• Store fertilizers, paints and household chemicals indoors where rain can’t reach them. 
• Always pick up pet waste and put it in the trash. 

If you see something that looks like pollution, please report it to the Stormwater Hotline by calling 442-339-2799, emailing stormwater@carlsbadca.gov or submitting a report through the CarlsbadConnects app. 

Each action keeps our creeks, lagoons and ocean cleaner for everyone to enjoy.

Tips to prepare your yard

Fall is the perfect time to prepare your yard for winter. Adding mulch and compost now can strengthen your soil, reduce erosion when the rains come and save water all year long. Healthy soil acts like a sponge, soaking up water instead of letting it run off into the street. 

Here are a few tips: 

• Use fallen leaves as mulch or compost to return nutrients to your soil. 
• Place extra leaves and trimmings in your green cart to be turned into compost through the city’s organics program. 
• Skip fertilizer before rain — much of it will just wash away. If you fertilize, choose slow-release products that feed plants over time. 
• Consider planting climate-appropriate groundcovers this fall to reduce bare spots and hold soil in place. 

These steps improve the look of your yard and help protect local waterways at the same time. You can also get a head start by picking up free compost and mulch at the city’s giveaway event on Oct. 4, or year-round through the self-service station open six days a week at the Palomar Transfer Station. 

Recycling refresh: the basics still matter

As America Recycles Day approaches on Nov. 15, it’s a good time to brush up on the basics. Recycling right is one of the simplest ways residents can reduce waste and conserve resources. 

Here’s a quick refresher on what goes where: 

• Blue cart (recycle): Paper, flattened cardboard, metal cans, glass bottles and jars, and plastic bottles, tubs, jugs and jars. Remember, recyclables should be empty, dry and loose (no plastic bags, please!). 
• Green cart (organics): Food scraps (yes, meat and bones too!), food-soiled paper such as napkins and pizza boxes, yard trimmings. 
• Gray cart (landfill): Plastic bags, foam containers, pet waste, diapers, cords, hoses and broken household items. Here is one that surprises people: palm fronds go in the landfill – not in the green cart. 
• Household hazardous waste: Batteries, electronics, light bulbs, paints, chemicals and other hazardous materials never go in your carts. These items should be taken to a designated drop-off location. Find more information about proper disposal on the city’s website. 

For a quick overview, you can also watch this video that walks through what goes where in each cart. 

Established in 1997, America Recycles Day is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States. It serves as a reminder that recycling works best when everyone does their part.

By keeping recyclables clean and sorted, using your organics cart for food and yard waste, and properly disposing of household hazardous waste, you help minimize contamination and make sure more materials get recycled or composted.

Species spotlight: Coastal prickly pear cactus

The coastal prickly pear cactus (Opuntia littoralis) is easy to spot this time of year. Native to Southern California, it produces bright red fruit called tunas that ripen in fall and provide food for birds, insects and small mammals. Its yellow blooms in spring give way to these colorful fruits, making it a plant that supports wildlife year-round. 

In Carlsbad, prickly pear cactus grows naturally in coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitats, especially along the bluffs and south-facing slopes near Batiquitos Lagoon. It is also a hardy option for home landscapes. Once established, it needs little water, helps prevent erosion and creates habitat for pollinators.

If you visit the lagoon this fall, keep an eye out for the deep red fruit. Just remember to admire, not touch, because the spines and tiny hairs can cause irritation. 

The city’s more than 6,200 acres of protected open space, managed through the Habitat Management Plan, provide important habitat for a variety of native plants and animals. Preserving Carlsbad’s natural open spaces is also one of the top goals in the City Council’s 5-Year Strategic Plan, ensuring that places where species like the coastal prickly pear thrive will remain part of our community for generations to come. 

Mark your calendar for these fall events

Clean Energy Alliance Energy Programs Plan Workshop

Wednesday, Sept. 17

5:30 to 7 p.m.

Carlsbad Senior Center

799 Pine Ave.

Share your feedback on Carlsbad’s clean energy future at a community workshop hosted by the Clean Energy Alliance. Learn about current and upcoming clean energy programs, share your experiences and energy needs, and help shape priorities for our community. The Clean Energy Alliance is the not-for-profit entity that purchases cleaner electricity on behalf of Carlsbad and other North County cities.

Coastal Cleanup Day

Saturday, Sept. 20

9 a.m. to noon

Sign up for a Carlsbad site

Help protect our creeks, lagoons and ocean and join volunteers across Carlsbad for Coastal Cleanup Day hosted by I Love A Clean San Diego. This year, the city is hosting two sites along Buena Vista Creek that are typically closed to the public, giving residents a rare chance to explore these sensitive areas while removing litter and invasive plants. Space is limited at some locations, so sign up early.

Environmental Sustainability Commission meeting

Thursday, Oct. 2, 3 p.m.

City Council Chamber

1200 Carlsbad Village Drive

The Environmental Sustainability Commission will hold its second meeting. The agenda and staff reports will be posted by Monday before the meeting. You can watch a recording of the first meeting on the city’s website and sign up to receive emails with future meeting agendas. 

Resilience in Action: Climate Leadership Conversation & Tour

Friday, Oct. 3

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Solatube International, Inc.

2210 Oak Ridge Way

Vista, CA 92081

Join North County business leaders during San Diego Climate Week as they share how local companies are reducing waste, rethinking materials and supporting their communities. After the panel, tour Solatube’s factory, enjoy lunch, hear from regional Climate Action Plan administrators and end the day with an artist reception highlighting the impact behind their work. Attend in person or tune in virtually.

Compost & Mulch Giveaway

Saturday, Oct. 4

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

La Costa Canyon High School

1 Maverick Way

Your food scraps and yard trimmings have been transformed into something amazing, packed with nutrients and ready to power up your garden!

• Compost adds nutrients to soil, helps plants grow stronger and conserves water.
• Mulch reduces weeds, locks in moisture and protects plant roots.

Pick up free compost and mulch at this convenient drive-thru event hosted by Republic Services in the La Costa Canyon High School parking lot.

Here’s how it works for Carlsbad residents:

• Bring up to five 5-gallon buckets (about 25 pounds total) to fill with compost, mulch or a mix of both. 
• No buckets? A limited number of bags will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Stay in your car and staff will load up your requested material for you, drive-thru style!

Halloween Fixit Clinic

Saturday, Oct. 25

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Georgina Cole Library

1250 Carlsbad Village Drive

We’ve all become too accustomed to throwing things away when they break. At the Fixit Clinic, you’ll learn how to repair items, reduce waste and keep materials out of the landfill. Get help from volunteer coaches to fix household items like clothes, bikes and small appliances.

At this Halloween-themed event, you can also:

• Swap costumes and accessories
• Try upcycled décor ideas
• Learn pumpkin and squash recipes
• Get free tool and knife sharpening
• Drop off plastic bags for recycling and plastic utensils for donation

America Recycles Day Shred & Recycle It! Event

Saturday, Nov. 15

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Carlsbad location provided upon registration

Register online starting Oct. 20

Safely shred and recycle sensitive documents in an environmentally responsible way. Bring up to five boxes (10” x 12” x 15”) of paper for free shredding to protect your personal information and keep waste out of the landfill.

Advanced registration and proof of Carlsbad residency required.

Thank you for helping Carlsbad stay sustainable, season after season. Whether you’re preparing for the first rains, refreshing your garden or joining a cleanup, your efforts add up. Together, we can protect our lagoons, beaches and ocean while keeping Carlsbad beautiful.