Organic Food Waste FAQ’s
Are plastic bags allowed?
NO! Food waste should be placed loosely into your green (yard) waste bin.
Am I required to participate?
Yes! This is a California law that requires all residents, multi-family tenants, and commercial businesses to participate in food waste recycling in order to comply with Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383).
What items are NOT acceptable?
Plastic bags (NO compostable or biodegradable bags)
Trash
Paper (including newspaper, junk mail)
Cardboard
Food soiled paper
Styrofoam
Glass
Plastics
Metal
Diapers
Pet waste
Electronic Waste
Household Hazardous Waste
What items are acceptable?
Green waste including tree trimmings, grass clippings, leaves, twigs, pruning waste, flowers, and weeds
Fruits
Vegetables
Cheese and dairy
Bread
Pasta
Cooked meats and fish
Raw meats
Egg shells
Plate scrapings
Bones
Peels
Expired foods
Fruit pits
I already backyard compost, do I have to participate?
We encourage you to continue backyard composting if it fits your lifestyle. Organic items not suitable for backyard compost can be recycle through this program.
What is the benefit of recycling food waste:
Your recycling efforts contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in landfilled organic waste. This includes methane, a greenhouse gas of 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
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