Residents:

• Separate food scraps, yard waste, and food-soiled paper into the organics bin.
• Participate in local collection or self-haul to approved facilities.

Businesses & Multi‑Family Properties:

• Provide labeled containers for organics and recyclables wherever trash cans are available.
• Educate staff and tenants annually on proper sorting and ensure containers are monitored and contamination is minimized.
• Certain commercial food generators (restaurants, supermarkets, institutions) must recover and donate surplus edible food via designated food recovery organizations.

Why it Matters

• Reduces methane emissions, a potent climate pollutant.
• Diverts organic waste from landfills, extending landfill lifespan.
• Improves local air quality by lowering landfill-related emissions.
• Supports renewable energy production through biogas and renewable natural gas.
• Creates compost and mulch that improve soil health and support agriculture and landscaping.
• Increases food recovery, helping local food banks and community organizations serve more people.
• Reduces waste by ensuring organic materials are put to their highest and best use.
• Promotes consistent recycling and organics-sorting habits across California.
• Helps meet the state’s long-term climate action and waste reduction goals.
• Strengthens community sustainability by reducing environmental impacts and promoting resource efficiency.