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Foodscrap Composting for Residential Dashboard
As of July 1, 2010 residents of El Cerrito, Richmond and San Pablo can put food scraps and food-soiled paper along with yard trimmings into their green waste carts for curbside collection. For more information on this program see the brochure or take a look at this poster.
Residents of these cities are also eligible to receive a free food scrap collection pail for their kitchen counter. Contact your respective City Hall for more information on how to obtain one.
Visit our composting home page to learn other ways to compost certain food items and yard trimmings.
Check out the video below to see how food scraps are transformed into a nutrient rich soil enhancement called compost. Compost can be added back into the soil to help grow fruits, vegetables and other plants, which is a fine example of taking something that is commonly thrown away and making it into a renewable resource.
Food Scrap Program FAQs
What do I put in the green cart?
If you live in El Cerrito, Richmond, or San Pablo, you can put food scraps and food-soiled paper into your green cart along with the other acceptable materials listed below.
YES, Acceptable materials:
Yard Trimmings, Grass, Leaves, Flowers, Pine Needles, Weeds,
Fruits and Vegetables, Food Scraps (meat, bones, bread, pasta, egg shells, coffee grounds, dairy)
Food Soiled Paper (paper plates, paper cups, napkins, paper bags, milk and juice cartons)
Tree Limbs (up to 3 feet) and Unpainted and Untreated Wood
Look at what can go into your green cart.
Yard Trimmings, Grass, Leaves, Flowers, Pine Needles, Weeds,
Fruits and Vegetables, Food Scraps (meat, bones, bread, pasta, egg shells, coffee grounds, dairy)
Food Soiled Paper (paper plates, paper cups, napkins, paper bags, milk and juice cartons)
Tree Limbs (up to 3 feet) and Unpainted and Untreated Wood
Look at what can go into your green cart.
Please NO:
Plastic Bags
Lawn sod
Ash or burned material
Painted wood
Pet waste, manure
Dirt, rock, sand, concrete
Plastic Bags
Lawn sod
Ash or burned material
Painted wood
Pet waste, manure
Dirt, rock, sand, concrete
Garbage Containers with unacceptable materials will not be emptied and may be collected by the garbage truck for an additional charge to your garbage bill.
When do I put the green cart out?
Your green, yard waste cart should be set out on the same day as your garbage collection day, every other week. Call East Bay Sanitary Service (510) 237-4321 if you are not sure of your collection day or need a calendar.
Your green, yard waste cart should be set out on the same day as your garbage collection day, every other week. Call East Bay Sanitary Service (510) 237-4321 if you are not sure of your collection day or need a calendar.
Where does the material go that I put in the cart?
Organic materials collected from the green waste carts will be delivered to a local composting facility. The materials are placed into long rows called windrows, where the materials is aerated, watered and monitored to ensure optimal composting conditions. The material breaks down naturally into a rich, nutrient rich soil amendmeent. They will be taken to a compost facility instead of the landfill, as part of the City of El Cerrito's strategy to fight climate change and reduce waste.
Organic materials collected from the green waste carts will be delivered to a local composting facility. The materials are placed into long rows called windrows, where the materials is aerated, watered and monitored to ensure optimal composting conditions. The material breaks down naturally into a rich, nutrient rich soil amendmeent. They will be taken to a compost facility instead of the landfill, as part of the City of El Cerrito's strategy to fight climate change and reduce waste.
If you are a Business owner:
There is no food scrap collection program offered to business/commercial customers at this time.
Currently, your business may request a green waste cart from Richmond Sanitary Service. The green waste cart is 64 gallons and a business such as florist, coffee shop, or produce market can put in dead flowers, plants and uncooked fruits and vegetables.
For larger businesses that generate a lot of green waste, contact Richmond Sanitary Service for a roll-off box.
Businesses that want to start an on-site compost program, call Recyclemore or visit the Compost section on this website.
Stay tuned for information about a pilot food scraps recycling program for commercial establishments.
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