Frequently Asked Questions

The following items should be separated by a clear plastic bag and included with the rest of organic waste: food scraps, paper, cardboard, coffee, coffee filters, tea bags, used paper napkins, paper plates, paper bags, paper containers, natural fibers (popsicle sticks, wooden chopsticks, toothpicks), Materials like yard scraps, Leaves and branches, flower and hedge trimmings, weeds and untreated wood can go directly into the green waste bin.

Paper containers with a plastic or wax coating, take-out boxes with metal that cannot be removed, clothing or textiles, pet waste and cat litter, wine corks, rocks and soil, diapers, cigarette butts and ashes, styrofoam, anything that does not break down naturally.

Landfills are the third largest source of Methane in California. Organic waste in the landfills emits 20% of the state’s methane, a climate super pollutant 84x more potent that carbon dioxide.

As California collects and recycles organic materials, local governments will be required to use the products made from this recycled organic material, such as renewable energy, compost, and mulch.

For example, organic waste will be used to curate healthy soil! Compost is a key to healthy soil, and healthy soil is critical to reducing carbon in the air.