Senate Bill 1383

• What if I put my food waste in the trash?

  It is crucial that you sort your waste so that it can be recycled. If you continue to place food waste and yard trimmings in the trash bin, City fines can occur. For more information, visit https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/slcp/faq/enforcement.

• What will happen to all the food waste being colletcted?

  The food waste will be diverted from landfills and instead processed and composted.

• Why are cart colors changing?

  SB 1383 requires uniform, stream-lined cart colors for California. It is required for both residential and commercial services, but only when carts need to be replaced so as not to be wasteful, and therefore it will be changed gradually over time. The color code will become the following: blue will signify recycling, green or brown for organics, and black for trash.  This will bring consistency across the state and reduce contamination.

• When can I start combining food scraps and yard trimmings in the organics cart?

  Start now! Beginning January 1^st, you are required to combine your food scraps and yard trimmings in the organics cart.

• What materials should be placed in each container?

  Recycling cart: cardboard, plastic and glass containers and bottles, aluminum and tin cans, and paper (place these items loose in cart)

  Organics cart: food waste, grass clippings, leaves, tree/brush trimmings, weeds, dead plants

  Trash cart: Styrofoam, chip/candy wrappers, bathroom waste, diapers, pet waste, plastic bags, palm fronds/branches, and other non-recyclable garbage (bag these items)

• What if I don't want to participate in Waste Management's curbside collection of combined food waste + yard trimmings?

  Per SB 1383, residents are required to receive and participate in this service. Residents may also compost at home.  

• Are residents required to donate food?

  No, the bill only requires Tier One Businesses, which includes major supermarkets and grocery stores, to donate edible food as of January 1, 2022. However, if you would like to donate food, reach out to the Laguna Food Pantry to see how you can help.

• Can dirty or used napkins and paper towels, along with biodegradable cutlery, be placed in the organics cart?

  Yes, these items can be placed in your food waste cart.

• Can I continue to compost at home?

  Yes! Please continue to compost at home. Check out our Composting FAQs section.

• Can I use a plastic bag or biodegradable bag to hold my edible food scraps?

  No. Plastic bags are not acceptable. It is preferable that you do not use any bag. If you do need to use a bag to eliminate odors or mess, please use recyclable paper bags or BPI-certified compostable bags.

• Can I use my own pail?

  Yes. You can repurpose a container or bowl you have at home to collect food scraps. Food waste pails, containers, or bowls can also be purchased at various stores, including Target, Home Depot, Walmart, etc.

• Does yard waste still go in my green container?

  Yes, all yard, tree, and garden trimmings will continue to go in your green organics container. Now it will be combined with your food scraps.

• Is everyone required to recycle organic waste?

  Yes. All residential, multi-family properties, and commercial businesses in California are required to recycle their organic waste.

• What kind of food waste can I place in my kitchen pail and organics bin?

  Check out our Co-mingled Organic Waste Recycling Guide.

• Where do I put large palm fronds and logs or tree stumps?

  These should not be put in the organics cart and should instead be placed in the trash cart if they fit.          

• Why isn't food waste collected separately from green waste?

  SB 1383 allows for a 3-cart system with commingled food waste and green waste locally. Additionally, Orange County has a regional processing system that allows for commingled food waste and green waste to be processed together.

• Will the City provide kitchen pails for indoor collection?

  Waste Management will bring all residences kitchen pails in January 2022.

• Will there be a smell in my kitchen?

  To alleviate smells, some people use kitchen pails with a closed lid or a carbon/charcoal filters. Keeping the kitchen pail or food scraps in the freezer until collection day is another option to alleviate smell. Dumping your pail out in the cart frequently also helps.

• Will there be a smell in my organics bin?

  To prevent your bin getting dirty or smelly from food scraps, you can line the bin with yard trimmings before disposing of your food scraps. This provides a barrier that absorbs any mess or liquids. You can also give your bin a quick rinse with water when necessary. Waste Management can be contacted if you have a damaged bin that needs to be replaced.