California adopted Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) which requires communities to reduce organic waste disposal, such as food waste, by 75% by 2025. To achieve this mandate, the City has launched a Curbside Organics Recycling program in which residential refuse customers must include bagged food waste in their Yard Waste containers. Businesses and multi-family properties should contact their current hauler for guidance on organic recycling options.
Click here for more information about SB 1383 including current waste stream diversion levels.
In addition to our Curbside Organics Recycling Program, residents can also help reduce organic waste sent to a landfill by composting at home or participating at our Community Compost Hubs.
| Backyard Composting |
Community Compost Hubs |
Curbside Organics Recycling * |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| On-site available space needed | ✔ | ||
| Generates compost for personal use | ✔ | ||
| Membership required | ✔ | ||
| Food scraps must be bagged | ✔ | ||
| Environmental rank | Great | Great | Good |
| * Required for all refuse customers | |||
| Accepted Items |
Backyard Composting |
Community Compost Hubs |
Curbside Organic Recycling * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fruits vegetables, egg shells, green leaves/grass, coffee grounds | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Mulch, dead leaves, shredded newspaper | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Meats, dairy, breads, bones | ✔ |
The City of Pasadena sells compost bins to residents at a discounted price. Visit our Ordering a Compost Bin webpage for more information.
Pasadena also hosts compost workshops throughout the year. The City provides free a compost bin (limit one per household) for attending a workshop.
Check our Upcoming Events page or Subscribe to be notified of future composting events.
For more on backyard composting visit www.smartgardening.com
Community compost hubs are located in various gardens and parks around the City.
Community compost hubs require members to sign an agreement and receive a brief training before joining and to volunteer at the site to continue their membership. There is no monetary cost for joining.
Visit our Community Compost Hubs webpage for more information.
All refuse customers participate in our Food Waste Recycling Program, which will allow us to meet the state mandated 75% reduction in organic food waste by 2025. Whether or not you engage in additional composting methods, your participation in the curbside program allows you to recycle materials that are not suitable for small-scale composting: bones, meat, dairy, and fat.
For more information, visit our Curbside Organics Recycling page.
