Collage of hands‑on repair, sewing and construction activities

From Waste to Worth: A Community Survey

The County of San Diego is creating a regional roadmap to support a just and equitable shift to a circular economy. A circular economy means keeping materials and products in use for as long as possible through activities like reuse, repair, recycling, and remanufacturing. Visit the Ellen Macarthur Foundation to learn more about circular economy.

We invite you to share your ideas to strengthen San Diego’s regional economy, reduce waste, and keep valuable materials in use. Your input will help identify opportunities to:

Expand infrastructure for reuse
Lower disposal costs
Create local jobs
Build a more resilient community

The survey has up to 17 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete.

Language and Accessibility Services

To take this survey in another language, use the gray Google Translate button at the top right of the page.

If you need disability accommodations or would like to provide your feedback in an alternate format, please contact luke.lombardi@burohappold.com and provide your name and preferred contact method and we will connect with you. Alternatively, you may call 310-945-4859.

Your input is appreciated! The survey will be open until July 31, 2026.

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Circular Economy Priorities, Vision, & Impact

How familiar are you with the concept of a circular economy?

* required

Not familiar

Slightly familiar

Moderately familiar

Very familiar

Extremely familiar

What circular economy activities interest you most? (select all that apply)

* required

Refuse (e.g. single-use plastic bans, declining unnecessary packaging, avoiding over-specified products)

Rethink/Share (e.g. tool libraries, car sharing, community hubs)

Reduce (e.g. improved efficiency, lightweight product design, digital-first processes to minimize material use)

Reuse (e.g. secondhand goods, reusable packaging, material exchanges)

Repair/Maintain (e.g. fix-it services, spare parts access, routine maintenance)

Refurbish (e.g. renovated appliances, reconditioned furniture, building retrofits)

Remanufacture (e.g. component reuse in a similar product type)

Repurpose (e.g. adaptive reuse of buildings, component reuse in a different product type)

Recycle (e.g. material recovery, processing materials to maintain quality)

Recover (e.g. biogas, anaerobic digestion, fertilizer, bio-materials, post-industrial process use)

Other (please specify)

The circular economy can support social, environmental, and economic goals within the region. Rank the following goals or outcomes in order of importance.

* required

Reducing landfill waste

Not important

Somewhat important

Neutral

Important

Extremely Important

Improving systems for collecting and recycling materials

Not important

Somewhat important

Neutral

Important

Extremely Important

Addressing the environmental and health impacts of waste

Not important

Somewhat important

Neutral

Important

Extremely Important

Supporting local jobs and new/existing businesses

Not important

Somewhat important

Neutral

Important

Extremely Important

Improving business participation and collaboration (e.g. product take-backs, joint production and by-product sharing)

Not important

Somewhat important

Neutral

Important

Extremely Important

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from waste

Not important

Somewhat important

Neutral

Important

Extremely Important

Increasing community-based sharing, reuse, and repair programs (e.g., repair cafes, tool libraries)

Not important

Somewhat important

Neutral

Important

Extremely Important

Expanding consumer education and engagement

Not important

Somewhat important

Neutral

Important

Extremely Important

Improving equity and access to circular economy programs

Not important

Somewhat important

Neutral

Important

Extremely Important

Which industries most interest you in relation to the circular economy? (select all that apply)

* required

Waste management and resource recovery (e.g. recycling facilities, compost programs, bottle return)

Manufacturing (e.g. factory take-backs, scrap reuse, parts recovery)

Construction and demolition (e.g. salvaged or urban lumber, reclaimed furniture, recycled concrete aggregate)

Fashion and textiles (e.g. clothing resale, fabric recycling, shoe repair)

Other consumer products (e.g. used goods resale, appliance repair)

Packaging and plastics (e.g. reusable containers, refill packaging, bioplastics)

Food byproducts (e.g. bioenergy production, upcycled ingredients, food scrap compost)

Other (please specify)

How often do you take part in activities related to the circular economy?

* required

Never

Rarely

Occasionally (e.g. once a month)

Frequently (e.g. once a week)

Always/Very Often (e.g. daily)

What would you like to see improved in your community? (select all that apply)

* required

Community repair workshops and tool-sharing programs

Repair services for household electronics and appliances

Support for reuse and remanufacturing businesses

Incentives for businesses to use circular practices

Training programs for repair and remanufacturing jobs

Reuse hubs or material exchange centers

Drop-off sites for hard-to-recycle items

Curbside recycling access and convenience

Neighborhood composting or food recovery programs

Access to secondhand goods and materials

Community swap or exchange events

Education and information about circular practices or resources

Quality of life improvements (e.g., cleaner neighborhoods, reduced waste, green spaces)

Other (please specify)