FOOD SCRAPS GUIDELINES
What Can I Put in my Green Cart?
Food scraps are any leftover food-based material. Examples: all meat, dairy, bread, vegetables, fruits, eggs and shells, coffee grounds, cheese, pasta, ANY FOOD.
Download the Food Scraps Guidelines list available in:
Items That Do Not Belong In Your Food Scraps Cart
The following items should NOT be placed in your food scraps cart.
- Yard waste
- Recyclables including items listed on the Recycling Guidelines
- Trash including items listed on the Refuse Guidelines
- Compostable plastic
- Compostable paper and fiber
- Oil
- Hazardous Waste (HHW) and electronic waste (e-waste)
- Bulky or oversized items and tires
What Goes Where? How to Sort Materials at Your Business
Additional Resources
- For additional resources about our food scraps collection pilot program, go to our Resources page.
- Sign up to attend a Commercial Food Scraps Collection virtual workshop on our Training and Program Success page.
- For questions, email lborganics@longbeach.gov.
FAQs
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What will happen to my food scraps?
Food scraps will be taken to LA Sanitation to an anaerobic digester where it is fermented. The methane it creates is captured and used to create fuel and energy.
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Can I put Fats, Oil, or Grease (FOG) in my food scraps container?
NO, FOG needs to be picked up by a specialty service that processes this material. Please continue to utilize the service previously used by your business before the pilot. -
Can I put foodware in my food scraps container?
NO, only food scraps can be placed in the container. All foodware, even those labeled "compostable" or "biodegradable" should be placed in your trash container.
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Can I put plants, flowers, or yard debris in my green cart?
NO, only food scraps can be placed in the container.
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Will a food scraps bin attract pests or cause odors?
Typically no more than your trash already does as this is the same material previously in your trash. Tips to reduce pests or odors: Keep collection containers clean and keep cart lids shut.
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What will I be charged for food scraps collection?
The pilot program will be free to participants. This is a mandatory service required by state law. At the completion of the pilot, the City will charge a rate determined by a cost of service study for the continuation of the service.
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Can I get additional food scraps carts if needed?
Each participant will be given one green 95-gallon cart. If additional carts are needed, please contact the City and we will come to your business to assess the need for additional carts. -
Who do I contact if I have questions about food scraps collection?
Please contact the City by email at lborganics@longbeach.gov or call (562) 570-2869. More information can also be found on our website: longbeach.gov/lborganics.