Residential Organic Material Recycling

Published on December 04, 2024

All Californians are required to recycle organic material, including food and yard waste.  Recycling organic material significantly reduces harmful methane emissions that contribute to climate change.  To recycle organic material at home, simply place green waste and food scraps in your green organics container.  Suitable food scraps include fruits and vegetables, grains, meat and bones, dry/solid dairy products, eggshells, and coffee grounds.  Food scraps may be mixed with green waste, which includes grass clippings, leaves, plant prunings, flowers, twigs, and small branches (less than 4 inches in diameter and 4 feet long).  Palm fronds, cacti, succulents, dirt, rock, and animal waste should always be placed in the trash container. 

To keep things tidy, residents may place food scraps in clear/transparent plastic bags.  Using see-through bags will allow the composting facility to inspect the bag’s contents prior to opening.  Bags should not be biodegradable or compostable, just transparent.  Since plastic bags contribute to the waste stream, residents may also consider alternative methods such as layering food waste between green waste or freezing food scraps until close to collection day.  Yard waste should not be bagged at any time. 

Should you have any questions regarding the program, please email sanitation@claremontca.gov or contact the Community Services Department at (909) 399-5431.

Mandatory Organic Recycling Program