Residential Food Waste Recycling Program Frequently Asked Questions

• 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).
• Are plastic bags allowed?
  • NO! Food waste should be placed loosely into your green (yard) waste bin.
• 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.
• 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 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
  • Egg Shells
  • Plate scrapings
  • Peels
  • Expired foods
  • Fruit pits
• What items are NOT acceptable?
  • Plastic bags
  • Trash
  • Bones
  • Raw meats
  • Paper (including newspaper, junk mail)
  • Cardboard
  • Food soiled paper
  • Styrofoam
  • Glass
  • Plastics
  • Metal
  • Diapers
  • Pet waste
  • Electronic Waste
  • Household Hazardous Waste