Zero-Landfill San Diego Project 2012

San Diego area architects and designers can recycle unused projects or parts through a new program that helps schools or non-profit groups at the same time.

The Zero-Landfill San Diego Project 2012 is designed to keep samples like carpets, tiles, or ceramics from ending up in a landfill.

“Anybody that needs product to create projects, have fun with, use in their schoolrooms, whatever they need samples for, we've got them and they're free," said project coordinator Paula Clark Waller.

The program isn’t new. It began in 2006 and has spread to 21 cities. However, it’s new to the West Coast and San Diego is the first in California to adopt it.

Project organizers say the goal is to reach one million pounds of samples by the end of 2012.

Trucks will be stationed downtown at Petco Park's tailgate Friday for the group's first collection date. Anyone interested in dropping off samples is welcome to also drop off at DFS Flooring Warehouse.

On Saturday, April 27, the group's Harvest Day will take place at the flooring warehouse on Willow Creek Road.