Frequently Asked Questions
MULTI-FAMILY (5+ UNITS)
I am hearing all about “organics”. What is that and how does it change where I put my garbage?
Food scraps, yard trimmings (leaves, grass, trimmings, branches, stumps), non-hazardous wood waste, and food-soiled paper are all considered organic material. Once apartments and townhomes have organics bins or carts on site, residents may begin placing organic materials in that container.
What should I put in my building’s organics container?
Place yard trimmings in the organics container. Once apartments and townhomes have organics bins or carts on site, residents may begin placing organic materials in that 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 property already has a community compost, do I still need to subscribe to organic service?
Yes, SB 1383 requires that all customers receive organics collection service.
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. Once apartments and townhomes have organics bins or carts on site, residents may begin placing organic materials in that 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 multi-family dwelling’s garbage container. Once apartments and townhomes have organics bins or carts on site, residents may begin placing organic materials in that 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.
Can I put compostable products, like compostable utensils, in my building’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 bags to later transfer into the organics container. Compostable bags are the only compostable product that can go in the organics container. When purchasing a compostable 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 bags?
Compostable 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 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.
What is a kitchen pail and where do I get one?
Kitchen Pails are small containers meant for the collection of food scraps. All Multi-Family residents will receive a kitchen pail before the end of 2021. Residents can place items like food scraps, coffee grounds and paper filters, tea bags, food-soiled paper, and paper towels in kitchen pails during the week and then transfer the contents to organics containers on collection day.
I’m the property manager for a Multi-Family Premise. How do I sign my building up for organics service?
Please contact WVC&R’s Customer Service at 408-283-9250 to request organics collection service or change the size of the organics container.
I’m the property manager for a Multi-Family premise. Now that we are adding food scraps to the organics container, our container is not big enough. How do I get a bigger size?
Please contact WVC&R’s Customer Service at 408-283-9250 to request a change in service levels.
I’m the property manager for a Multi-Family Premise. How do I make sure my tenants get kitchen pails?
WVC&R will provide kitchen pails to each resident in a multi-family premise and can replace the kitchen pail once annually. Please contact WVC&R’s Customer Service at 408-283-9250 to request kitchen pails for tenants.
How do I prevent smells and bugs in my kitchen pail?
There are many ways to participate in organics collection without creating smells or attracting bugs. Here are a few tips for keeping the kitchen pail smell-free:
- Empty the kitchen pail into the organics container regularly – every two to three days.
- Line the kitchen pail with a clear plastic bag or newspaper and wrap messy food scraps in newspaper or with a used paper towel to absorb moisture before placing items in the pail.
- Sprinkle baking soda or spray vinegar inside the pail to reduce odors.
- Wash the pail with soapy water or in the dish water as needed.
How do I keep my organics container clean?
Collecting organics should not be any more messy or smelly than putting food scraps in the garbage container. The same materials are being collected – just in a different container. If desired, bag and tie organic materials in a compostable plastic bag before placing it in the organics container.
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 on CalRecycle’s website: https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/climate/slcp.
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 at home?
As required by SB 1383 regulations, all customers will need to receive organic waste collection service by January 1, 2022. Single-Family and Multi-Family customers will use their current organics container for yard trimmings, food scraps, and food-soiled paper.