Green oceanside: FOOD SCRAPS AND ORGANIC WASTE IN OCEANSIDE

HOW TO SORT RIGHT, WASTE LESS, AND SUPPORT A GREENER COMMUNITY
Properly sorting organic materials and reducing waste at the source are key to meeting California Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) requirements and reaching Oceanside’s goal of diverting 75–90% of materials from the landfill. Reducing food waste starts at home, and small changes in your daily habits can make a big difference. Begin by taking inventory of your fridge and pantry before shopping to avoid buying items you already have. Planning meals, storing food properly, and eating leftovers can significantly reduce what ends up in your Organics cart.

WHAT BELONGS IN YOUR ORGANICS CART?
Your Organics cart is designed to collect compostable materials including:

Food Scraps:
• Fruit and vegetable peels
• Bread, grains, and pasta
• Dairy products
(e.g., cheese, yogurt)
• Meat, poultry, seafood
(including bones)
• Eggshells
• Coffee grounds and filters
• Leftovers and plate scrapings

Food-Soiled Paper:
• Napkins and paper towels
• Paper takeout containers
(unlined)
• Pizza boxes
(no plastic or wax lining)
• Paper plates
(uncoated or certified
compostable)

Green Waste/Yard Trimmings:
• Yard trimmings such as
branches, grass, leaves
• Clean unpainted wood with
no metal contamination
other than nails

*All items must be under 20 inches in diameter and less than 48 inches in length
Tip: To make clean-up easy, line your kitchen food scrap container with paper bags, or newspaper. Clear or translucent plastic bags/liners and compostable plastic bags are allowed but not preferred.

WHAT DOES NOT BELONG IN THE ORGANICS CART?
Avoid contaminating the Organics stream with the following materials:
DO NOT Include:

• Palm Fronds and trunks, Bamboo, Cactus and Yucca
• Plastic wrappers
• Glass, metal, or plastic items
• Styrofoam containers
• Hazardous waste of any kind

• Pet waste, diapers, or hygiene products
​• Cooking oil, grease, or liquids
• Stumps containing rocks or dirt
• Sod or dirt
• Wood with paint or stain, chemically treated wood

More from Green Oceanside