Which bin? Sacramento’s rules for throwing away food are changing. Here’s the latest

According to state regulations, residents, regardless of their jurisdiction, are required to recycle organic waste. But Cal Recycle is leaving development and regulation to localities.

When does the program start?

This will be in addition to the organic waste disposal reduction program that took effect in July 2021, where businesses and other commercial entities in Sacramento were required to separate organic material from garbage for recycling — regardless if they sold food.

The city program for single family homes starts July 1; the county starts July 4. Multi-unit housing has been in place for months.

The statewide mandate, or SB 1383, requires Californians to reduce organic waste disposal by 75% and to increase edible food recovery by 20% by 2025. SB 1383 was passed in 2016.

How much will it cost me?

The Sacramento City Council approved a charge increase for yard waste pickup, to comply with the new state law.

Homeowners are paying $14.32 a month — up $2.44 from the former rate.

Next year, the monthly bill will increase to $16.75. And in 2024, the monthly bill will increase to $19.18 — nearly double the current rate.

Where will I put my organic waste?

Organic waste material will be mixed with your yard waste. Residents who don’t have a yard waste container will be given an approximately 32 gallon food waste container to their residence a couple weeks before the program begins, according to the city’s at-home organic waste page.

If you receive trash service from the city, don’t mix in your food waste with your yard waste until notified. When the program starts, the city will start using a more intensive process to break down organic waste into compost.

Single-family home residents and multifamily complexes will be required to subscribe to and participate in their jurisdiction’s organic curbside collection service. Residents must properly sort their organic waste into the correct containers.

Complex property owners or managers must provide waste collection services for their employees and tenants and must supply an adequate number of sizes and locations of containers.

The Solid Waste Division will provide residents with free kitchen counter top waste bins, a roll of compost bags and an informational handout on how to successfully compost at home. Customers will be able to choose from eight local community centers distributing the containers.

And when it’s time to start recycling organic waste material, the use of compostable bag or layering the food waste with yard trimmings or food-soiled paper will reduce or eliminate odor and pests.

You can also store food scraps in the freezer or refrigerator and wait to put them in the yard waste container until the night before collection.

For more resident requirements and collection systems, container colors and labeling, visit the Cal Recycle website.

What organic waste material is accepted?

Residents will be able to put all food waste and organic waste in their yard waste container, including:

• Eggshells
• Fruit and vegetable scraps
• Meat
• Dairy
• Bones
• Rotting food
• Yard trimmings
• Green material
• Landscape and pruning waste
• Clean lumber and wood

State law prohibits putting organic waste in the trash or mixed recycling can, according to Cal Recycle.

Here’s what materials the city doesn’t accept:

• Textiles
• Carpet
• manure and pet waste

Will I be penalized if I throw out the wrong thing?

Jesa David, a spokeswoman with the Sacramento Recycling and Solid Waste Division, told The Bee in November that the first year of the program will focus on education and outreach, so residents won’t be penalized for recycling the wrong material.

Residents will dispose of their organic waste in a specified bin, instead of their garbage bin.

“We’ll start really pushing that campaign and just making sure that all the individuals of Sacramento get some information about what this will look like at home, how to discourage pests and odor because we know there are a lot of practical issues that come with recycling food waste in with your yard waste” she said.

For more information on how to prepare for the new organic waste program for residents, watch this short video provided by Cal Recycle:

Can I still compost at home?

Yes, you can still compost your own organic waste material. And if you’ve never tried, all you need to start is a compost technique and a bin or pile.

Here’s a video on how to compost at home:

How do I reduce my food waste?

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, planning, prepping and storing food can help households waste less food.

Before going shopping, check your refrigerator and pantries first to avoid buying food you already have. Make your shopping list based on how many meals you’ll eat at home and buy only the things needed for those meals.

Freeze, preserve or can surplus produce and wait to wash berries until you want to eat them to prevent mold. When you get home from the store, take the time to wash, dry, chop, dice, slice and place your fresh food items in clear storage containers for snacks and easy cooking.

Be sure to freeze food like bread, sliced fruit or meat that you know you won’t be able to eat in time.

For more tips on how to reduce food waste at home, visit the EPA website.

This story was originally published February 1, 2022 at 5:00 AM.