Organics Recycling Program

Put Your Food Waste to Work with Alhambra's Organics Recycling Program

Approved by the State in 2016, Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) requires jurisdictions to provide organic waste collection services to all residents and businesses. SB 1383 is the most significant waste reduction mandate to be adopted in California in the last 30 years, and requires a 75% reduction in organic waste disposal by 2025 in California. Reducing short-lived climate pollutants, which results from the decomposition of organic waste in landfills, will have a significant impact on climate change in the state.

On May 24, 2021, the Alhambra City Council passed the City's Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction Ordinance (Ordinance No. O2M21-4787), requiring all residential and commercial premises in the City to subscribe to the City's organic waste recycling program. The City of Alhambra and Republic Services entered a new waste management agreement in 2021 to reduce organic waste. Residents have been provided with new carts—blue for recycling, black for trash, and green for organic waste. Residents are required to sort their recyclables, organic waste, and trash into the appropriate containers.

You can find more resources and information on Republic Services website and on our website. For additional information, please visit the CalRecycle webpage.

Organic Waste Dos and Don'ts

Acceptable Materials for Green Organics Container:

Yard trimmings

• Flower trimmings
• Tree trimmings (twigs/branches must be 4 feet or less in length and less than 6 inches in diameter)
• Leaves, grass, brush and weeds
• Untreated and unpainted wood

Food scraps (raw or cooked)

• Fruits and vegetables
• Dairy products
• Bread, grains and pastas
• Meat and seafood (including bones)
• Prepared or processed (e.g. chips, sandwiches, etc)
  • Remove packaging and sort separately

Miscellaneous

• Food-soiled paper
  • Napkins and paper towels 
  • Uncoated paper: plates, cups, bowls
  • Pizza boxes
• Biodegradable Waste Bags

Unacceptable Materials for Green Organics Containers: 

The following materials must be disposed of in the Black Landfill container. 

• Dog poop or pet waste from any animal
• Hot ashes or briquettes
• Large amounts of soil or sod
• Plastic bags
• Rocks, concrete, dirt or sand
• Particle board
• Compostable plastics
• Palm fronds
• Diapers and bathroom tissue paper 
• Wood that has been treated, coated or painted

Kitchen Pails

How to Use Your New Pail

It’s easy! Simply add your food scraps with your yard debris. No changes will occur with your normal yard debris collection day. Pro tip: Use a paper bag or biodegradable bag to keep your pail clean, or rinse off with soap and water after use.

Republic Services distributed complimentary kitchen pails to all single family residences in November 2021. If you did not receive a pail or have any questions, please visit Republic Services' local office located at the Chamber of Commerce Monday-Thursday from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM or contact Republic Services at alhambra@republicservices.com.

Organic Waste Recycling Educational Resources

The City of Alhambra has many resources to assist you in setting up organics recycling at your home or business.