Residential Organics
Effective January 1, 2022, the Short-Term Climate Pollutants Regulations (SB 1383) requires all California trash generators (single-family and multi-family residences) to recycle food waste and green waste at home. In cooperation with the law, residents will be required to place food waste, grass clippings and leaves into their organics cart (green or gray w/green lid) beginning in 2022. The Senate Bill also mandates residential carts to be color-coded consistently across the State of California. Waste Management will gradually phase in the new carts (shown below) to existing customers who need cart replacements or new customers.If you are unsure about which materials go in each cart, please contact Waste Management at (800) 266-7551.
That is currently your green cart, where you put your yard waste. Starting on January 1, 2022 you will ALSO put your food waste into that cart, along with your yard waste. No plastic or compostable bags are allowed in your organics recycling cart! Dump your food waste and yard waste directly into the organics cart.
See the sticker on your kitchen pail for reference. All food waste is allowed in the organics recycling cart. No food waste is allowed in the regular black trash cart. For more information, visit the City’s Trash and Recycling webpage at www.ArcadiaCA.gov/TrashandRecycling
You can wash out your organics recycling cart with a power washer (high pressure, low water device) over your lawn or landscaped area so that dirt will absorb the wastewater. Don’t let the wastewater flow into the gutter. You can rinse out your kitchen compost pail. Since plastic bags and “compostable” bags are NOT allowed, you can use food-soiled paper to line your kitchen pail or organics cart to absorb moisture.
There are many ways you can reduce odors from your Organics Recycling Cart such as using a paper bag for your organics waste, freezing meat/fish scraps before collection day, layering food scraps with lawn clippings in the cart, drying out tea bags and coffee grinds, and sprinkling baking soda.
Kitchen compost pails are great to keep on the counter and collect food scraps, coffee grinds, etc. in. When you're ready, just dump the contents of the pail directly into your organics cart. You can also use a bowl, or any container to transfer your kitchen organic waste to your organics cart.
Still need a kitchen pail? Residents can pick up a pail from the Recreation Office front desk Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Arcadia Recreation & Community Services375 Campus Drive
Arcadia CA 91007
