“The effort at Petco Park reflects years of collaboration among organizations that are committed to getting the details right,” said Wendell Simonson, General Manager of Eco-Products. “What began with a conversation about field testing in 2022 grew into a coordinated effort with the Padres, Delaware North and Republic Services to support composting across Petco Park.”

“With millions of fans coming through our gates year-round, Petco Park has a civic duty to prioritize environmentally responsible practices,” said Padres COO Caroline Perry. “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.”

In 2023, Eco-Products, Delaware North and Republic Services’ Otay composting facility worked together to select and field test a set of BPI-Certified compostable products for concessions inside the park. Multiple rounds of field testing took place over the next two years following the protocol outlined by the Compostable Field Testing Program. The process resulted in the approval of a broad range of bioplastic and fiber-based items for use inside Petco Park.

With field testing complete, the Padres officially launched their new composting program in 2025 that includes two-stream waste bins throughout Petco Park to capture compostable and recyclable materials and reduce landfill waste. The two-bin system streamlines waste management by giving fans clearly marked bins for recyclables and compostable food scraps and foodservice items, effectively eliminating the need for landfill receptacles. Petco Park’s janitorial team then sorts the collected material and removes contamination.

“Reducing waste at a venue the size of Petco Park requires a coordinated approach—from the materials used by our concession teams to how waste is collected, sorted and processed,” said Debbie Friedel, Director of Sustainability for Delaware North. “Working with Eco Products supports the broader zero waste system the Padres, Republic Services and our operations teams have built together to improve diversion and reduce landfill waste.”

In 2025, the Padres diverted a total of 2,002.8 tons of waste from the landfill, including 46.6 tons of food donated to Father Joe’s Mission and 856.1 tons of food and compostable serviceware going to Republic’s compost facility.

Eco-Products has long worked with ballparks, stadiums, ski resorts and other venues to improve waste diversion by pairing compostable packaging with effective front-of-house collection programs. Eco-Products advocates for a systems-based approach to reducing contamination, reflected in its Controls Intended to Remove Contamination (CIRC) Program — a set of open-source tools designed to help the foodservice industry keep non-compostables out of organics streams.  

ABOUT ECO-PRODUCTS, PBC    

Eco-Products®, a Novolex® brand and certified B Corp, is a leading provider of foodservice packaging made from renewable, recycled, and reusable materials. Eco-Products offers packaging with real environmental benefits, works with customers to improve composting and recycling, and collaborates with the broader industry to shift how businesses and consumers think about and manage waste. Visit www.ecoproducts.com for more information.