Residential and Multi-Family Curbside Recycling

A California state law, SB 1383, went into effect that requires residents to minimize the organic waste going to landfills, and in turn, reducing methane gas emissions from those sources. The law directs that the maximum amount of organic waste, including but not limited to food waste, landscape waste, cardboard, and paper, be placed in the appropriate container. SB 1383 impacts everyone living in the state and specifies how to dispose of our waste properly. In this short video, you'll be shown how to effectively and efficiently sort your typical household and landscape waste. Here's how. Use your green container for compostable materials, such as grass clippings, shrubs, leaves, food scraps, food soiled paper, pizza boxes, take out paper bags, donut boxes, paper plates, and napkins. It's also essential to know what not to place in the green bin. Diapers, pet waste, glass, metal, plastic, dirt or rocks, waxed food containers, and of course, any hazardous waste. In the blue recycle container, place clean cardboard, calendars, magazines, envelopes, notebooks, junk mail, legal pads, newspaper, writing paper, metal cans, glass, and plastic bottles or jugs. Do not place diapers, liquids, fabrics or carpet, needles, broken glass, batteries, or other hazardous materials. Finally, the gray bin is used for items that are non-organic and cannot be recycled, including diapers, pet waste, waxed lined food containers, kitty litter, restroom waste, such as tissues, paper towels, and sanitary products, toothpaste tubes and brushes, plastic bags, and styrofoam. How you sort the waste is up to you. One suggestion is to have designated receptacles in your home or garage so you can separate the organic, recyclable, and landfill items easily. You can line the bottom of the food waste container with lightly used paper towels or paper grocery bags. For multifamily property owners and property managers of more than five units, new residents need to be informed of the SB 1383 requirements within 14 days of moving in, and employees and tenants must be educated as to the requirements annually. The new law touches all of us in Kern County, and by working together, we can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our landfills, improving our environment now and in the future. Video funded by a grant from the Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery.