Sacramento food waste mandate: How to comply, reduce odor and get a free compost bin

It’s not too late to snag a free kitchen countertop pail for your food scraps.

Regardless of jurisdiction, Sacramento County residents were mandated to begin recycling their food waste starting in July 2022 as part of the state’s overarching goal to fight climate change and decrease the size of its landfills. Spokeswoman Jesa David with the city of Sacramento’s Recycling & Solid Waste Division said the small bins are designed to help people “implement those habits easier.”

“It’s a new program and we just want to make sure that people have all the information and the tools that they can get,” she told The Bee in a late October interview.

The city first announced its pail giveaway before the food waste program began over a year ago. Residents were directed to a link, asked to confirm their address and given an appointment slot.

The process has been simplified — and proof of residency is not required, the city said.

Households are eligible for one bin, while supplies last, at the following locations:

Location: Recycling & Solid Waste Division office - 2812 Meadowview Road, Sacramento

Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays

Location: City of Sacramento Department of Utilities - 1395 35th Ave., Sacramento

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Fridays

Location: Refill Madness - 1828 29th St., Sacramento

Hours: Open daily, call the store at 916-382-4823 to confirm hours

David said the City of Sacramento Department of Utilities and Refill Madness are better options because the location on Meadowview Road doesn’t have a public counter.

COUNTY LOCATIONS

The county is also giving away kitchen pails, but you must show proof of residency to get one.

Residents in the unincorporated areas of Sacramento County (which do not include Sacramento, Folsom, Elk Grove or other cities within the county limits) can pick up a free 2-gallon kitchen pail at the following locations, while supplies last:

Location: 10863 Gold Center Drive, Rancho Cordova

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday (closed on holidays)

Location: 10481 Armstrong Ave., Suite 210, Rancho Cordova

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday (closed on holidays)

Remember: People who reside in the city of Sacramento, Folsom, Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova or Citrus Heights will not be serviced because “they have their own pail distribution,” the county stated.

How do I reduce pests and odors?

Store your food scraps inside a bag and place it in the freezer or refrigerator until it’s time to dump it into the green waste container the night before collection.

If the bag you collected your scraps in throughout the week isn’t compostable, empty them loosely into a bin lined with leaves, newspaper or paper bags for easier cleanup.

Waste can also be collected in a coffee can, tube, plastic bucket, bowl or even an empty cereal box. Whatever works for you.

What’s allowed in my green waste bin?

Before tossing any organic food waste material into the bin, remove stickers, twist ties and rubber bands from the produce.

Here’s what should be recycled as organic food and green waste material, according to the city’s website, which is similar to the county:

• Fruit and vegetable scraps
• Bread
• Cereal
• Dairy
• Meat (including bones)
• Shells (egg and meat)
• Coffee grounds
• Paper coffee filters
• Tea bags
• Uncoated food soiled paper: paper towels and napkins, paper plates, greasy pizza boxes, paper lunch bags
• Food scraps: moldy food, leftovers, rotting food
• Green waste: branches, plants, mulch, grass, leaves, tree trimmings, pruning, clean lumber and wood scraps

WHAT’S NOT ALLOWED?

Here’s what shouldn’t go into the bin, according to the website:

• Plastic (including bags)
• Diapers
• Styrofoam
• Glass
• Metal
• Liquids
• Pet waste
• Water hoses
• Cooking oil
• To-go coffee cups
• Paper products lined with plastic wax or foil
• Facial tissue and toilet paper
• Single-use items made of compostable plastic (utensils, coffee pods and takeout containers)

This story was originally published November 8, 2023 at 11:57 AM.