Compostable packaging supports San Diego Padres' zero waste programme

Eco-Products has been named an Official Zero Waste Partner of the San Diego Padres as part of ongoing efforts to increase waste diversion at Petco Park in San Diego.

The partnership supports the stadium’s composting programme and broader initiatives aimed at reducing the volume of match-day waste sent to landfill. Eco-Products works with venue operators, foodservice providers, waste haulers and composting facilities to help ensure compostable materials are correctly processed while minimising contamination in organic waste streams.

In 2023, Eco-Products collaborated with hospitality provider Delaware North and Republic Services’ Otay composting facility to identify and trial a range of BPI-certified compostable products for use within the stadium’s concessions areas. The items were assessed through multiple rounds of testing over a two-year period using protocols established by the Compostable Field Testing Program.

Following the completion of the testing phase, a wider range of bioplastic and fibre-based foodservice items was approved for use at Petco Park.

The Padres launched an updated composting programme in 2025 featuring a two-stream waste system across the stadium. The approach provides clearly labelled bins for recyclable materials and compostable food scraps and serviceware, removing the need for landfill bins in public areas. Waste collected from the stadium is then sorted by the venue’s janitorial team to remove contamination before processing.

With millions of fans coming through our gates year-round, Petco Park has a civic duty to prioritize environmentally responsible practices. Our partnership with Eco-Products will expand access to compostable foodservice packaging and play a key role in diverting waste from our landfills, reinforcing our commitment to a more sustainable San Diego.

Padres COO Caroline Perry.

According to the organisation, the initiative diverted 2,002.8 tonnes of waste from landfill in 2025. This included 46.6 tonnes of food donated to Father Joe’s Mission and 856.1 tonnes of food waste and compostable serviceware sent to Republic Services’ composting facility.

Eco-Products has previously worked with stadiums, sports venues and hospitality operators to support waste diversion programmes that combine compostable packaging with front-of-house collection systems. The company also promotes a systems-based approach through its Controls Intended to Remove Contamination (CIRC) programme, which provides tools designed to help foodservice operators reduce non-compostable contamination in organic waste streams.