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.

• 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

• Pet waste
• Palm fronds
• Plastic 
• Glass 
• Metal
• Treated lumber

• 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

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.

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.

Yes, everyone is required to participate and properly sort discarded materials into the correct bins or receptacles provided. If you choose not to participate, you may receive contamination charges from our waste hauler, CR&R Incorporated.