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Organics Recycling is Changing in Blythe!
Residents across California are seeing changes to the way organic waste, such as food scraps and yard trimmings, is disposed of and recycled. SB1383, a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants, requires all California cities, including Blythe, to reduce organic material waste.
This means there will be some changes in how we ask our residents to sort their organic waste, and in how our City’s waste hauler, CR&R Incorporated collects and processes organic materials. During this period of transition, we appreciate our community’s cooperation and dedication to our City’s goal of creating a more sustainable future for generations to come.
What does this mean for you?
The City of Blythe is partnering with our waste hauler, CR&R which will provide safe and reliable curbside collection services for residents. Starting the week of September 30, 2024, residents will be asked to dispose of organic waste in a newly provided Organics Container. Other recyclable items such as paper, cardboard, bottles and cans must be separated and placed inside existing blue recycling containers.
Green Organic Cart
The green organic cart is specially designed to collect organic waste, including:
- Food scraps: Fruit and vegetable peels, leftovers, coffee grounds, eggshells and more.
- Food-soiled paper: Used napkins, paper towels, pizza boxes and paper plates (no plastic lining).
- Yard waste: Grass clippings, leaves, small branches and wood pieces.
Tips for Success:
- Keep your green cart easily accessible and ensure it’s placed curbside on your designated collection day.
- Do not include plastic bags, glass or metal—these items can contaminate the composting process.
Kitchen Pail
The kitchen pail is a convenient tool to make collecting organic waste in your home simple and efficient. Designed to sit on your kitchen counter or under the sink, the pail is ideal for:
- Food scraps: Fruit and vegetable peels, plate scrapings, coffee grounds, tea bags, eggshells and more.
- Food-soiled paper: Small napkins, paper towels and compostable paper products.
Once full, empty your kitchen pail into your green organic cart for weekly collection.
Pro Tips for Easy Recycling:
- Line your pail with newspaper or certified compostable bags to keep it clean and reduce mess.
- Keep it accessible: Keep the pail in a visible, convenient spot to encourage consistent use.
- Empty often: Regularly transfer scraps to your green cart to avoid odors.
- Freeze scraps: For items like meat or fish, store them in the freezer until collection day to prevent smells.
- What is organic waste?
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Organic waste is any material that is biodegradable and comes from either a plant or an animal. Biodegradable waste is organic material that can be broken into carbon dioxide, methane, or simple organic molecules.
- What items are considered organic waste?
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- Yard Waste
- Grass clippings
- Weeds, leaves
- Prunings
- Flowers
- Wood scraps/chips
- Kitchen Waste
- Fruit
- Bread
- Fish
- Meat (no bones)
- Vegetables
- Dairy
- FOG (Fats, oils, grease)
- Compostable bags
- What items are NOT considered organic waste?
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- Pet waste
- Palm fronds
- Plastic
- Glass
- Metal
- Treated lumber
- How do I prepare the cart?
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- Drain excess liquids before placing food scraps in the cart
- Use compostable bags for food scraps
- Sprinkle baking soda on top of food scraps to help with odor control
- Line your kitchen pail with newspaper and/or brown paper bags
Other tips include:
- Place yard waste at the very bottom of the cart first to absorb liquids
- Alternate layers of yard waste and food scraps
- Keep the cart in a covered or shaded area out of direct sunlight
- Why are the requirements changing?
-
A focus on recycling organic materials is central to California’s efforts to combat climate change. When organic materials such as food scraps, yard trimmings, and paper decompose anaerobically (without oxygen) in a landfill, they produce methane, which is one of the most potent climate pollutants in the atmosphere and a major contributor to climate change.
- Where will organic waste go?
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SB 1383 requires cities and counties to procure annually a quantity of recovered organic waste products to meet their annual procurement target. Per CalRecycle, these procurement requirements will strengthen California’s green, self-sustaining economy. Demand for these products will drive infrastructure investment and create new green collar jobs in the state.
Recovered organic waste products can:
- Benefit local communities and spaces
- Improve soil and air quality
- Support local environmental initiatives, such as Climate Action Plans
CalRecycle assigns an annual procurement target to each jurisdiction based on its population. Jurisdictions can fulfill their target by procuring any combination of the following recovered organic waste products:
- Compost
- Mulch
- Renewable Energy (Transportation Fuel, Heat, and Electricity) from Anaerobic Digestion and Electricity from Biomass Conversion
Each jurisdiction has the flexibility to choose what mix of recovered organic waste products it wants to procure, and may choose to either use or donate these products to meet its procurement target, depending on its local needs.