Frequently Asked Questions
SINGLE FAMILY
ORGANICS
I am hearing all about “organics”. What is that and how does it change what I put my garbage cart?
Organics are food scraps, yard trimmings (leaves, grass, trimmings, branches, stumps), non-hazardous wood waste, and food-soiled paper are all considered organic material. Place all of the organic materials in the organics container.
What should I put in my organics container?
Place yard trimmings, food scraps, and food-soiled paper into the organics container.
For further information regarding where to place materials please visit WVC&R’s website for the 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.
I already compost at home, 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. Food scraps should be put into 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 should I put it?
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.
Can I put compostable products, like compostable utensils, in my 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.
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 should I use as a liner in my kitchen pail?
There are many sustainable liners that you can use in your kitchen pail to keep it clean. Some examples include newspaper, junk mail, and paper towels.
What is a kitchen pail and where do I get one?
Kitchen Pails are small containers meant for the collection of food scraps. All Single-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.
How do I prevent smells and bugs in my kitchen pail?
There are many to participate in organics collection without creating smells or attracting bugs. Here are a few tips for keeping kitchen pails smell-free:
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. That being said, here are some tips for keeping the organics container clean:
Can I put my kitchen pail on the curb for collection?
All organic materials (food scraps, food-soiled paper, yard trimmings) must be placed in the curbside organics container for efficient curbside 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 targets 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 waste, 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 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.
ORGANICS
I am hearing all about “organics”. What is that and how does it change what I put my garbage cart?
Organics are food scraps, yard trimmings (leaves, grass, trimmings, branches, stumps), non-hazardous wood waste, and food-soiled paper are all considered organic material. Place all of the organic materials in the organics container.
What should I put in my organics container?
Place yard trimmings, food scraps, and food-soiled paper into the organics container.
For further information regarding where to place materials please visit WVC&R’s website for the 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.
I already compost at home, 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. Food scraps should be put into 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 should I put it?
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.
Can I put compostable products, like compostable utensils, in my 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.
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 should I use as a liner in my kitchen pail?
There are many sustainable liners that you can use in your kitchen pail to keep it clean. Some examples include newspaper, junk mail, and paper towels.
What is a kitchen pail and where do I get one?
Kitchen Pails are small containers meant for the collection of food scraps. All Single-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.
How do I prevent smells and bugs in my kitchen pail?
There are many to participate in organics collection without creating smells or attracting bugs. Here are a few tips for keeping kitchen pails smell-free:
- Empty the kitchen pail into your organics container regularly – every two to three days.
- Line the kitchen pail with a compostable 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. That being said, here are some tips for keeping the organics container clean:
- Use newspaper to containerize food scraps before placing them into the organics container.
- Place food scraps between layers of yard trimmings within the organics container.
- Sprinkle baking soda into the organics container.
- Keep the organics container in the shade on hot days.
Can I put my kitchen pail on the curb for collection?
All organic materials (food scraps, food-soiled paper, yard trimmings) must be placed in the curbside organics container for efficient curbside 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 targets 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 waste, 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.
OTHER
When is my annual clean up and what can I put out?
One month prior to a resident’s annual clean-up date, a postcard is mailed out informing the resident of their collection date and a list of items that are acceptable and restricted. Please refer to WVC&R’s website, www.westvalleyrecycles.com or call WVC&R’s Customer Service at 408-283-9250 to learn more about the annual clean-up schedule and acceptable items.
I'm doing some work on my house and have more garbage than usual. How do I get rid of it?
WVC&R can pick up extra bags of garbage from residences for a small fee. Please contact WVC&R’s Customer Service at 408-283-9250 prior to the regularly scheduled service day to schedule an appointment. For larger projects, WVC&R offers small “Rent-me” boxes for general household garbage and larger Roll-off debris boxes for construction and demolition debris. Please contact our WVC&R’s Customer Service at 408-283-9250 to schedule a delivery of a Roll-Off Box or “Rent-Me” box. WVC&R is the exclusive roll-off and debris box provider in Campbell, Saratoga, Los Gatos, and Monte Sereno.
When is my annual clean up and what can I put out?
One month prior to a resident’s annual clean-up date, a postcard is mailed out informing the resident of their collection date and a list of items that are acceptable and restricted. Please refer to WVC&R’s website, www.westvalleyrecycles.com or call WVC&R’s Customer Service at 408-283-9250 to learn more about the annual clean-up schedule and acceptable items.
I'm doing some work on my house and have more garbage than usual. How do I get rid of it?
WVC&R can pick up extra bags of garbage from residences for a small fee. Please contact WVC&R’s Customer Service at 408-283-9250 prior to the regularly scheduled service day to schedule an appointment. For larger projects, WVC&R offers small “Rent-me” boxes for general household garbage and larger Roll-off debris boxes for construction and demolition debris. Please contact our WVC&R’s Customer Service at 408-283-9250 to schedule a delivery of a Roll-Off Box or “Rent-Me” box. WVC&R is the exclusive roll-off and debris box provider in Campbell, Saratoga, Los Gatos, and Monte Sereno.