FAQs • Citrus Heights, CA • CivicEngage

What is the difference between “organic food” vs “organic waste”?: Organic food often refers to food that is grown without the use of herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers, or bioengineered genes (GMOs). Organic waste is the food, food scraps, food-soiled paper AND yard waste that will be collected and recycled.

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Mandatory Organics Recycling

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2. What is SB 1383?: Senate Bill 1383 is a statewide organic waste recycling mandate which was passed in 2016 and is intended to divert short-lived climate pollutants from landfills, reducing organic waste, food waste, and greenhouse gas emissions. You can view the legislation text here.

3. How will this law help the environment?: Landfill gas created by decomposing organic waste is a significant source of overall greenhouse gas emissions. This law helps California achieve its aggressive recycling and greenhouse gas emission goals and address climate change by reducing materials in the landfill which produce gas.

4. How much landfill waste will this law reduce?: Despite the state’s robust and traditional recycling infrastructure, organic materials (yard trimmings, food scraps and soiled paper) make up about half of the State’s waste stream, and food waste is the largest single waste stream in California. Redirecting these resources to composting and digesting operations will save landfill space, generate energy, reduce emissions, and restore soi

5. Who must comply with the new law?: The law affects all California residents, including those in single - and multi-family homes, commercial entities, and schools. The City has launched its organics recycling program for residents. Education and outreach will be provided to Citrus Heights residents on an ongoing basis.

6. What is Organic Waste?: Organic waste is the food, food scraps, food-soiled paper AND yard waste that is being collected and recycled.

7. What is the difference between “organic food” vs “organic waste”?: Organic food often refers to food that is grown without the use of herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers, or bioengineered genes (GMOs). Organic waste is the food, food scraps, food-soiled paper AND yard waste that will be collected and recycled.

8. What is the difference between "food waste" vs "compost"?: Food waste is the food, food scraps and food-soiled paper intended to be disposed of. We can recycle that material to create fuel, energy and compost. Compost is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow. “Backyard Composting” is the process of creating compost by placing materials in open piles outside, mixing them and allow the process to turn organic waste into compost material.

9. What does food waste recycling mean for residents?: Residents will dispose of all organic waste in their green waste cart, which was formerly only used for yard waste, instead of the garbage cart. Organic waste refers to food waste (including vegetable and fruit scraps, eggshells, meat, dairy, bones, and rotting food), food-soiled paper, (including pizza boxes, coffee filters, and paper napkins) and yard trimmings. Residents who do not currently have a green yard waste cart should call Republic Service at 916-638-9000 or 916-725-9060 to order a green waste cart at no additional charge.

10. How do I find out my Recycle schedule?: Your can view the collection schedules using our online calendar. Type in your service address to view your schedule and sign up for text and email reminders.

11. What is the size of the free counter kitchen top pail?

kitchen pail 2 Free counter top pails holds 1.9 gallons of organic waste and were delivered in July. If you did not receive a kitchen counter top pail, please contact Republic Services at 916-725-9060.

We recommend lining your indoor organic waste cart with newspaper or paper bags. You can also use liners; however, the liners do need to have a logo indicating they are compostable similar to these:

12. How will residents prevent food waste from sticking to the inside of the organic waste carts?: Paper bags and BPI certified compostable bags or liners may be used to contain and deposit food waste inside the green Organic Waste carts. It also remains acceptable to deposit organics loosely in the cart. We recommend lining your indoor organic waste cart with newspaper or paper bags. You can also use liners; however, the liners do need to have a logo indicating they are compostable. They might look like this:

13. Do I need to use a compostable bag for my food waste?

No. Residential customers are not required to use a bag for your food waste, but if you do, it must meet the ASTM D6400 standard for compostability. Liners will have a logo indicating they are compostable. They might look something like this:

If you do not know if a plastic bag is compostable, throw it out in the regular garbage! It is still acceptable to deposit organic waste directly into the cart.

14. Where should I store food waste until I bring it out to my green Organic Waste cart?

Food waste may be put directly into Organics Waste carts or can be stored in kitchen pails, paper bags and BPI certified compostable bags or liners and then deposited directly to Organic Waste cart.

Best practice tip: Many people add food scraps to a non-compostable plastic bag, paper bag or other container and store the food scraps in the freezer until they are ready to dump them directly into the organics cart on their pick up day. This is a great option that costs virtually nothing, and you can reuse containers or plastic bags you already have on hand.

Do not put non-compostable bags in the green organics cart.

15. What happens if a resident has more than one green Organic Waste cart now?

Weekly collection service means most residents will no longer need an extra green cart. In addition, from November through January, residents can place up to 6 bags of leaves out (35 lbs limit) on collection day for free.

If you choose to keep two or more green carts you will be charged a $14/month fee for the second cart and any thereafter. If you intend to reduce your number and/or size of carts for weekly collection, you must contact Republic Services Customer Service at 916-725-9060.

16. What if you don’t have an Organic Waste cart?

If you are in an HOA, your residential organization leadership may be working with Republic Services to determine if or how many green Organic Waste carts are necessary for your complex.

All single-family homes will be charged for this service whether the use their Organics Cart or not. If you need to order a green Organic Waste cart, please contact Republic Services at

916-725-9060.

17. Can a resident apply for an exemption or waiver?

This is a statewide mandate and there are no waivers granted for individual residents.

Business owners seeking a commercial exemption who do not generate organic waste can apply here.

18. Will there be an exemption for residents who are currently do not have a green waste cart?: Residents who do not have a green waste cart are not exempt from SB 1383, as all residents will be required to subscribe to organics collection service in order to comply with the law.

19. What if I have no space for a new or larger cart?: All residents must have access to an organic waste cart to comply with the law. Multi-family residences (such as apartment complexes) will be provided with carts for their properties. The City and Republic Services will assess space concerns on a case-by-case basis to ensure all properties are in compliance with state regulations.

20. Can I still compost at home or am I not allowed to do so with this new Organic Waste Recycling Program?

There are two ways to participate in the Organic Waste Recycling program. First, residents can place all food waste and food-soiled paper in the green Organic Cart along with yard waste. Second, residents can start a compost pile in a backyard garden. However, there are some food waste items that are not easily composted at home, such as bones, meat, greasy foods, dairy, and food-soiled paper. These items go in your organic cart so that they can be composted at a commercial composting facility.

Here is a link that can help: Backyard Composting | Citrus Heights, CA - Official Website

21. Can I get an Organic Waste exemption if I already compost at home or if I don't generate any food waste?

Under SB 1383, we are not able to offer exemptions to customers who compost their food waste or who generate minimal food waste.

22. Can I self-haul my food waste?: We do not currently offer the option to self-haul food waste. Residents must be provided with organic waste collection service to comply with SB 1383.

23. Will there be a special rate for low-income residents?: There are no special rates currently offered for this service.

24. What can be put in the green Organic Waste cart?: Food waste, green waste (landscape and pruning, flowers, leaves), and food-soiled paper items such as pizza boxes or used paper plates and coffee filters can be put in the Organic Waste cart. View acceptable and unacceptable items here or use our Sort Smart tool to search specific items and learn the proper disposal cart.

25. Which paper products can go into the green Organic Waste Cart? Do paper coffee or soda cups count)?

Do deposit:

Food-Soiled Paper: Used napkins, paper plates (non-coated), paper towels, coffee filters, tea bags, food soiled newspaper and greasy pizza boxes go into the green Organic Waste cart. Many restaurants are now switching to paper or “biodegradable” takeout containers. (no waxy or “shiny” linings; no foam containers)
Pleated and uncoated paper cups: Used pleated water cups, uncoated paper coffee cups, and used paper cups.

cup banner Don't deposit:

Regular Clean Paper: Regular clean paper goes into the blue Recycle cart. (i.e. copy paper, newspaper, etc.; no inside linings, wax or food-soiled)
Waxed or Lined Paper: Paper with wax, plastic lining or foam goes into the Trash cart. (i.e. waxed or foam coffee cups, drink cups, some paper straws)

26. How do we know if these food-soiled items can go into the green Organic Waste cart?

If the takeout container is “SHINY”, it is most likely trash. We cannot take food soiled paper that has lining, or wax included.

The recycling or biodegradable sign/designation icon on containers does not apply to Republic Services collection and recycling. Even if the item says that it is compostable, it may not meet the specifications of Republic Services' program and processors may not be able to use the product for benefits (compost, fuel, and energy).
Plastic bags should not go into the green Organic Waste cart.

27. Can I put compostable cutlery in the green Organic Waste cart?: Only paper-based food soiled items (no lining or wax) can go into the green Organic Waste cart. Even if it says compostable plastic spoon/fork, it does not meet our criteria for organics recycling.

28. Do I need to change any of my garbage disposal habits?: You do not have to change your garbage disposal habits. However, it is better for the water quality and environment to dispose of food waste using your green Organic Waste cart to divert food products going to the water treatment plant. Best Practice: Reduce first, then Reuse, then Recycle.

29. Does this program change how I dispose of fats, oils, and greases (FOGs)?

FOGs may be placed in a leak proof container and deposited in the regular garbage cart. Alternately, the container for food related fats, oils & grease may also be dropped off at the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facility at the North Area Recovery Station. For more info, visit: Stop the Clog - Sacramento Area Sewer District (sacsewer.com)

Used motor oil is not considered a FOG and Republic Services collects motor oil under specific circumstances. Please see our Programs & Services | Citrus Heights, CA - Official Website for more information.

30. What should I do with Keurig cups?: Keurig and other instant coffee pods must be deposited into the trash.

31. What happens to the organic waste after collecting it?: The organic waste will be taken to a composting facility in California to be composted and turned in to soil amendment, which can be used for farming and other agricultural uses.

32. Will residents be able to obtain compost for their yard?: Republic Services currently provides compost for Citrus Heights residents to pick up from the Republic Services transfer station at 8642 Elder Creek Road in Sacramento. In addition, Republic Services will provide compost locally for residents to access, and is working on finalizing a location.

33. Where can I find more information?

If you would like information on SB 1383 regulations and statewide resources, you can find it at CalRecycle’s website: https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/slcp

34. Where can we purchase compostable bags?

Compostable bags are now widely available at stores. You do not have to purchase compostable bags to comply with food waste recycling. You could use paper bags, or no bags at all but if you do, it must meet the ASTM D6400 standards. Liners will have a logo indicating they are compostable. They might look something like this:

If you do not know if a plastic bag is compostable, throw it out in the regular garbage!