Organics Recycling

Virtual Organics Trainings and Kitchen Caddy Giveaway

Funded by CalRecycle, the City is promoting its new organics recycling program. Residents are eligible to receive a free kitchen collection bin after attending a virtual training. No need to RSVP, but supplies are limited (one caddy per household). Schedule caddy pickup or any questions to Mbuilding@malibucity.org.

2023 Events are scheduled at 7:00 PM

California Senate Bill 1383 establishes the following statewide goals to reduce the amount of organic waste disposed of in landfills: reduce organic waste disposal by 75% and rescue at least 20% of the edible food by 2025.

Organic waste recycling BANNER

Organic waste recycling service was initiated for businesses in October 2021, and this service for residents was launched on January 1, 2022. Organic waste like food scraps make up half of what Californians dump in landfills, which emit short-lived climate pollutants. Reducing short-lived climate pollutants like organic waste will have the fastest impact on the climate crisis. 

Frequently Asked Questions about SB 1383 - CalRecycle has compiled FAQs about organics collections, food recovery, solid waste facilities, and enforcement.

Los Angeles County's Inside Solid Waste spring 2022 newsletter highlights SB 1383 organics recycling. View past issues on the County's website.

Organics Recycling BANNER
  1. Residential
  2. Commercial

Organic waste recycling service was initiated for residents on January 1, 2022. City-permitted solid waste haulers will provide specific information on how they will collect organics and which cart to use for organics. The haulers below have different sorting requirements for organic waste. 

Waste Management: Email or call 800-675-1171. See flyer for program details. Separate food scraps from trash and place food scraps in your green waste cart with or without a bag following the tips below:

  • Fill a kitchen caddy or reusable container and store where it works best (counter-top, freezer or refrigerator)
  • Food scraps must be contained in a plastic or paper bag before placing in the green waste cart

Universal Waste Systems: Email or call 800-631-7016 or 626-905-4658. No need to separate food scraps from trash.

  • Nothing changes. Any food scraps will continue to go into the trash cart. 

Residences that do not have landscaping/green waste service and contract for gardening or landscaping services where the green waste is disposed off-site must stipulate that the contractor recycle gardening and landscaping waste and submit a quarterly Commercial Organics 3rd Party Hauler Report to the City.

For tips on how to reduce food waste at home, view the Resident Zero Waste Guide.

Composting At Home

Reduce the impacts of transporting and disposing yard waste and kitchen scraps by composting at home. Composting is the recycling of organic materials back into a useful soil product for the garden or on potted plants. Composting can save money and time and can reduce your garden's watering and weeding needs.

Compost happens no matter what you do. Soil organisms decompose materials in the compost pile and recycle it into usable soil amendment.

THREE EASY STEPS

  1. Begin the pile with 50% grass and yard trimmings and 50% kitchen food scraps.
  2. Add enough water so that the pile is as damp as a wrung-out sponge.
  3. Mix dry brown materials with moist green materials to balance nutrients, air, and water. Turn materials once a week.

The Los Angeles County Smart Gardening Program offers compost bins at discounted prices to webinar attendees. Register for a free 45-minute class to learn how to reduce waste, nourish your garden, and beautify your home. If space is an issue, worm composting (vermicomposting) is ideal for small yards or patios and can be done indoors and outdoors. 

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