Frequently Asked Questions
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What goes in my business’s organics container?
Place yard trimmings, food scraps, and food-soiled paper in the organics container.
For further information regarding where to place materials please visit WVC&R’s website for current how-to guides or download WVC&R’s mobile app “WasteConnect.” The How-To guides and “WasteConnect” app are updated from time to time to reflect any changes.
What are food scraps and where should I put them?
Food scraps includes any inedible food waste which includes bones, meat, dairy, fruit, vegetables, grains, dough, coffee grounds and filters, teabags, and other plate scrapings. Place these items in the organics container.
For further information regarding where to place materials please visit WVC&R’s website for current how-to guides or download WVC&R’s mobile app “WasteConnect.” The How-To guides and “WasteConnect” app are updated from time to time to reflect any changes.
What is food-soiled paper and where does it go?
Food-soiled paper products include paper towels, napkins, tissues, pizza boxes, paper plates and cups, paper take-out containers, and food soiled paper/cardboard packaging. Place these items in the organics container.
For further information regarding where to place materials please visit WVC&R’s website for current how-to guides or download WVC&R’s mobile app “WasteConnect.” The How-To guides and “WasteConnect” app are updated from time to time to reflect any changes.
My business uses compostable products, such as compostable utensils. Can these items go in my business’s organics container?
No. Please do not put compostable products in the organics container, compostable products should be disposed of in the garbage container. If desired, place food scraps and other organic materials inside compostable plastic bags to later transfer into the organics container. Compostable plastic bags are the only compostable product that can go in the organics container. When purchasing a compostable plastic bag, look for ones that are clearly labeled with “Compostable,” “BPI Certified,” or “ASTM D6400.”
For further information regarding where to place materials please visit WVC&R’s website for current how-to guides or download WVC&R’s mobile app “WasteConnect.” The How-To guides and “WasteConnect” app are updated from time to time to reflect any changes.
Where can I purchase compostable plastic bags?
Compostable plastic bags are sold at many local stores. The most common brands include BioBag, If You Care, Ucan Untrash, Glad compostable, Bag-to-Nature, and EcoSafe. These bags come in multiple sizes to fit inside a kitchen pail, a standard kitchen trash can, and an organics container. Many e-commerce websites, like Amazon, sell a wide range of compostable plastic bag brands in bulk. When purchasing compostable plastic bags, look for ones that are clearly labeled with “Compostable,” “BPI Certified,” or “ASTM D6400.”
Can I bag my food scraps and food-soiled paper in compostable plastic bags?
Yes, if desired, bag organic materials in a compostable plastic bag before placing it in the organics container for collection.
I’ve heard people referencing SB 1383, what is that?
In September 2016, Governor Brown signed into law SB 1383, establishing methane emissions reduction targets in a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants in various sectors of California's economy. SB 1383 sets a target to achieve a 50% reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2020 and a 75 % reduction by 2025. SB 1383 also establishes an additional target that 20% or more of currently disposed edible food is recovered for human consumption by 2025. Find out more information here.
Why is SB 1383 important?
California is now experiencing the effects of a climate crisis: hotter summers with world record-breaking temperatures, even more devastating fire seasons, more extreme droughts, and rising sea levels that erode our coastlines. Scientists tell us that greenhouse gasses released by human activities, like landfilling food and yard trimmings, cause climate change. To respond to this climate crisis, California is implementing statewide organic waste recycling and surplus food recovery. Find out more information on CalRecycle’s website: https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/climate/slcp
Will recycling food scraps and other organics really make a difference?
Landfills are the third largest source of methane in California. Organic waste in landfills emits:
How will SB 1383 affect my current waste and recycling program?
Per SB 1383 regulations, all customers will need to receive organic waste collection service by January 1, 2022. Commercial customers will use their current organics container for yard trimmings, food scraps, and food-soiled paper. If your business did not previously have an organics container please contact WVC&R’s Customer Service at 408-283-9250 to have an organics container delivered.
What goes in my business’s organics container?
Place yard trimmings, food scraps, and food-soiled paper in the organics container.
For further information regarding where to place materials please visit WVC&R’s website for current how-to guides or download WVC&R’s mobile app “WasteConnect.” The How-To guides and “WasteConnect” app are updated from time to time to reflect any changes.
What are food scraps and where should I put them?
Food scraps includes any inedible food waste which includes bones, meat, dairy, fruit, vegetables, grains, dough, coffee grounds and filters, teabags, and other plate scrapings. Place these items in the organics container.
For further information regarding where to place materials please visit WVC&R’s website for current how-to guides or download WVC&R’s mobile app “WasteConnect.” The How-To guides and “WasteConnect” app are updated from time to time to reflect any changes.
What is food-soiled paper and where does it go?
Food-soiled paper products include paper towels, napkins, tissues, pizza boxes, paper plates and cups, paper take-out containers, and food soiled paper/cardboard packaging. Place these items in the organics container.
For further information regarding where to place materials please visit WVC&R’s website for current how-to guides or download WVC&R’s mobile app “WasteConnect.” The How-To guides and “WasteConnect” app are updated from time to time to reflect any changes.
My business uses compostable products, such as compostable utensils. Can these items go in my business’s organics container?
No. Please do not put compostable products in the organics container, compostable products should be disposed of in the garbage container. If desired, place food scraps and other organic materials inside compostable plastic bags to later transfer into the organics container. Compostable plastic bags are the only compostable product that can go in the organics container. When purchasing a compostable plastic bag, look for ones that are clearly labeled with “Compostable,” “BPI Certified,” or “ASTM D6400.”
For further information regarding where to place materials please visit WVC&R’s website for current how-to guides or download WVC&R’s mobile app “WasteConnect.” The How-To guides and “WasteConnect” app are updated from time to time to reflect any changes.
Where can I purchase compostable plastic bags?
Compostable plastic bags are sold at many local stores. The most common brands include BioBag, If You Care, Ucan Untrash, Glad compostable, Bag-to-Nature, and EcoSafe. These bags come in multiple sizes to fit inside a kitchen pail, a standard kitchen trash can, and an organics container. Many e-commerce websites, like Amazon, sell a wide range of compostable plastic bag brands in bulk. When purchasing compostable plastic bags, look for ones that are clearly labeled with “Compostable,” “BPI Certified,” or “ASTM D6400.”
Can I bag my food scraps and food-soiled paper in compostable plastic bags?
Yes, if desired, bag organic materials in a compostable plastic bag before placing it in the organics container for collection.
I’ve heard people referencing SB 1383, what is that?
In September 2016, Governor Brown signed into law SB 1383, establishing methane emissions reduction targets in a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants in various sectors of California's economy. SB 1383 sets a target to achieve a 50% reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2020 and a 75 % reduction by 2025. SB 1383 also establishes an additional target that 20% or more of currently disposed edible food is recovered for human consumption by 2025. Find out more information here.
Why is SB 1383 important?
California is now experiencing the effects of a climate crisis: hotter summers with world record-breaking temperatures, even more devastating fire seasons, more extreme droughts, and rising sea levels that erode our coastlines. Scientists tell us that greenhouse gasses released by human activities, like landfilling food and yard trimmings, cause climate change. To respond to this climate crisis, California is implementing statewide organic waste recycling and surplus food recovery. Find out more information on CalRecycle’s website: https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/climate/slcp
Will recycling food scraps and other organics really make a difference?
Landfills are the third largest source of methane in California. Organic waste in landfills emits:
- 20% of the state’s methane, a climate super pollutant 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
- Air pollutants like PM 2.5, which contributes to health conditions like asthma.
How will SB 1383 affect my current waste and recycling program?
Per SB 1383 regulations, all customers will need to receive organic waste collection service by January 1, 2022. Commercial customers will use their current organics container for yard trimmings, food scraps, and food-soiled paper. If your business did not previously have an organics container please contact WVC&R’s Customer Service at 408-283-9250 to have an organics container delivered.