Yard Trimmings and Food Scraps Collection
The City of Long Beach is phasing in a new program to collect yard trimmings and food scraps in a new green cart, separate from the trash cart. The City will provide new green carts to the first homes participating in the program the week of October 14th. During that same time, the City will be swapping out your purple recycling cart for a new blue recycling cart! Please begin using your new green cart for yard trimmings and food scraps upon receipt. Green cart service will begin the week of October 21st, and the cart will be serviced the same day as your trash and recycling carts. The City will continue to roll out this program throughout 2025.
Sign up for service reminders and program updates
Why it's important to separate yard trimmings and food scraps from your trash:
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Keeping organic material out of the landfill reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
- California set a goal to reduce organic material from going to landfills by 75% by 2025 through state law SB 1383, requiring cities to recycle organics.
- Organic materials sorted into the green carts create renewable energy and/or compost rather than going to the landfill.
When will I get a green cart?
When will residents receive their green (and blue) carts?
For residents with City service in phase one, new green and blue carts will be delivered the week of October 14, 2024. Your purple recycling cart(s) will be collected and replaced with new blue recycling cart(s). Service of the new blue and green carts will begin the following week, the week of October 21, 2024.
Green and blue carts will be serviced on your regular service day on the curb or in the alley where your trash and recycling are currently serviced. Please place all carts out for service no later than 6 a.m. on your service day.
Please leave your purple cart out until the new blue cart is dropped off. The City is doing its best to replace all the carts on the same day of service, but delays may occur.
How do I know if I have yard trimmings and food scraps collection service?
Use the mapping tool linked below to determine if your address will receive yard trimmings and food scraps collection during phase one.
Find out if you are in the first phase!
What are the size options for my carts?
Residents will receive a new blue recycling cart that is the same size as their current purple recycling cart. Most green carts will be 64-gallon carts. Residents will have the option to exchange their cart size at a later time.
What will the cost be for this new service?
The City is in the process of completing a cost-of-service study, updating the costs for refuse and recycling collection based on various factors and adding the new residential organics program. A Proposition 218 hearing, which is required before a new rate can be implemented, is anticipated to take place in early 2025. Details will be provided as the study is finalized.
When will the green carts be serviced?
Green carts will be serviced starting the week of October 21, 2024.
Green carts will be serviced on your regular service day on the curb or in the alley where your trash and recycling carts are currently serviced. Please place all carts out for service no later than 6 a.m. on your service day.
Collection Guidelines and Accepted Materials
What CAN go in my Green Cart?
Food Scraps
Food scraps are any uneaten food that was previously disposed of in the trash, including fruit and vegetable peels and scraps, leftovers, and spoiled food. Food must be removed from packaging.
Examples: Meat and Bones, Eggs and Shells, Coffee Grounds, Bread, Cheese, Pasta, Expired Food Without Packaging, Vegetables, Fruits, Food-Soiled Paper (Napkins, Paper Towels, Pizza Boxes).
Yard Trimmings
Yard trimmings are plant trimmings, grass clippings, leaves, flowers, twigs and branches.
Any non-plant material such as nursery tags, pots, and plastic should be removed and disposed of in the trash.
What CANNOT go in my Green Cart?
The following items should NOT be placed in your green cart:
- Products labeled compostable or biodegradable
- Palm fronds, cacti, or succulents (these materials take too long to break down and cannot be processed into compost or energy)
- Logs and tree stumps
- Treated wood such as furniture parts
- Recyclables including items listed on the Recycling Guidelines
- Trash including items listed on the Refuse Guidelines
- Oil
- Hazardous Waste (HHW) and electronic waste (e-waste)
- Bulky or oversized items and tires
Tips for Collection of Food Scraps:
- Use a container you already have to collect food scraps.
- Collect food scraps while preparing or cleaning up meals, when cleaning out the fridge, or any other time you generate food material that you do not consume.
- Wash your collection container regularly and sprinkle baking soda inside the container to reduce odors.
- Empty your container in your green cart regularly and just before collection day.
- Store your container on the counter where you prepare meals, under the sink, or in the freezer.
- Store items in the freezer until just before collection day.
- Alternatively, collect food scraps in a paper bag or wrap food scraps in newspaper. Place the wrapped food scraps in the freezer until collection day or take directly to your green cart daily.
- Remove any contamination from your container, such as plastics, twist ties, rubber bands, or stickers.
- Bags are not required.
- DO NOT use "biodegradable" or "compostable" bags. These bags do not break down and cause problems at the facilities where the materials are taken.
- Place yard trimmings unbagged directly into your green cart.
- Remove non-plant material, such as nursery pots, tags, and ties.
- When doing yard work, move your green cart to the area you are working in, or use a bucket or another container to collect yard trimmings.
- Remember to place palm fronds, cactus, and succulents in the trash as these materials take too long to break down and cannot be processed into compost or energy.
- Large logs and tree stumps cannot be processed into compost or energy. These need to be collected by scheduling a special collection by calling 562-570-2876 or visiting longbeach.gov/specialcollection.
Tips to Keep Your Green Cart Clean:
- Place yard trimmings in your green cart before and after adding your food scraps.
- Place cardboard or paper in the bottom of your green cart to absorb moisture.
- Place your green cart out for collection every week, even if not full.
- Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of the cart to reduce odors.
- Don’t overfill your green cart and keep the lid securely closed. If you need an additional cart please call (562) 570-2876
- Call our Call Center at (562) 570-2876 for broken or damaged carts.
Report a Collection Issue or Missed Pickup
To report a collection issue or missed pickup, please call the Call Center at (562) 570-2876 between the hours of 7:30 am – 4:30 pm.Please note that trash, recycling, and organics carts are serviced at different times throughout the day on your regular service day. Carts may be serviced any time between 6 am and 7 pm.
Helpful Resources
Use the resources below to learn more about organics collection, your new Green Cart, and get step-by-step instructions on recommended ways to ensure your success in this new program!
Yard Trimmings and Food Scraps (Organics) Collection Coming Soon Postcard
Yard Trimmings and Food Scraps (Organics) Collection Educational Guide
Food Scraps Collection Tips Flyer
Door to Door (In-person) Education Postcard (A portion of the first phase will receive door to door education)
Additional Printable Resources
- Neighborhood Green Champions:
- Yard Sign:
Learn More
General Organics Collection FAQs
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What is SB 1383?
SB 1383 is a state law that establishes statewide targets to achieve a 75% reduction of organic waste and recover at least 20% of edible food for human consumption from the landfill. Cities throughout California must meet the new waste reduction standards through organic waste reduction and recycling. Learn more: Laws & Ordinances
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Who must comply with SB 1383?
The law affects all California residents, including those in single and multi-family homes, apartment complexes, commercial entities, schools, hospitals, care facilities, etc.
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Why is the City phasing in the program?
The City is phasing in the program in order to ensure the ability to provide adequate education and outreach to each participant and ensure a successful rollout of the program.
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How can I see if my home is in the first phase of the program?
We attempted to mail information to every residence, but if you did not receive information you can look up your address using the interactive map that can be found at lbcity.info/organicsmap24.
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Why is my home in the first phase of the organics (yard trimmings and food scraps) collection program?
Service areas included in the first phase were determined based on various factors including: current day of service, generation of yard trimmings, collection locations, and other factors to test various operational scenarios that will guide future phases of the program.
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What is the difference between “organic food” vs “organic material”?
Organic food refers to food certified organic for consumption, by avoiding synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or GMOs.
Organic material is all matter coming from a living organism such as fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, etc. This material is what is collected in your green cart and can be processed for compost or anaerobic digestion to make energy.
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Will organics service increase my bill?
There is not currently a charge for this service, however, a rate is in development and is expected to be implemented in 2025. Once a rate is determined, the cost of the service will depend on the size and quantity of carts.
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What if my trash and recycling is serviced by a private company?
Many commercial properties, which include businesses and multi-family dwellings, have already begun to participate in organics (yard trimmings and food scraps) recycling. Some of these properties are not serviced by the City, but by private hauling companies. Residents who live in apartments should receive information from the owners or property managers about organics service at their building.
Green Carts FAQs
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Why are we getting green carts?
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California set a goal to reduce organic waste in landfills by 75% by 2025 through state law SB1383 because keeping organic material out of landfills reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Cities throughout California must meet the new waste reduction standards set by the state through organic waste reduction and recycling.
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Organic materials sorted into the green carts are taken to a facility where they are processed to create renewable energy and/or compost rather than going to the landfill.
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When will I get a green cart?
For residences in phase one, new green and blue carts will be delivered the week of October 14, 2024. Purple recycling carts will be collected and replaced with new blue recycling carts. Service of the new blue and green carts will begin the following week, the week of October 21, 2024. Green and blue carts will be serviced on your regular service day on the curb or in the alley where your trash and recycling are currently serviced. Please place all carts out for service no later than 6 a.m. on your service day.
Not sure if you are in the first phase, view the interactive map linked here to look up your address.
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What can go in my green cart?
Food Scraps
- Food scraps are any uneaten food that was previously disposed of in the trash, including fruit and vegetable peels and scraps, leftovers, and spoiled food.
- Food must be removed from packaging.
- Examples: Meat and Bones, Eggs and Shells, Coffee Grounds, Bread, Cheese, Pasta, Expired Food Without Packaging, Vegetables, Fruits, Food-Soiled Paper (Napkins, Paper Towels, Pizza Boxes).
Yard Trimmings
- Yard trimmings are plant trimmings, leaves, grass clippings, flowers, twigs and branches.
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What cannot go into my green cart?
The following items should NOT be placed in your green cart:
- Compostable/biodegradable plastic
- Products labeled compostable or biodegradable
- Palm fronds, cacti, or succulents (these materials take too long to break down and cannot be processed into compost or energy)
- Logs and tree stumps
- Treated wood such as furniture parts
- Recyclables including items listed on the Recycling Guidelines
- Trash including items listed on the Refuse Guidelines
- Oil
- Hazardous Waste (HHW) and electronic waste (e-waste)
- Bulky or oversized items and tires
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Why can’t I put compostable plastics or products labeled biodegradable in my green cart?
Plastic products labeled “compostable” or “biodegradable” will not break down properly at the facilities that green cart materials are processed at and can break sorting machinery. Please keep items in your green cart limited to yard trimmings and food scraps.
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What do I do with branches or logs that are too large for my organics cart?
- Small branches can go in your green cart.
- Branches larger than your forearm should be broken down before placing in your green cart.
- Large items that cannot be broken down should be placed in the trash cart or called for special collection.
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If I compost at home, do I still need yard trimmings and food scraps collection?
- Green carts are required for all locations that have trash collection as part of State Law SB1383.
- The City’s Yard Trimming and Food Scrap Collection does allow for collection of all food items, including those not suitable for backyard or vermicomposting including meat, bones, dairy, and cooked food. Please place these items in your green cart.
- If you would like to request a change in service level to receive a smaller green cart, please call our customer service hotline at (562)570-2876.
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Can I have more than one green cart or a different size green cart?
- Yes, residents with extra yard trimmings may require more than one green cart. You can request to change your service level by calling us at (562)570-2876.
- You can request a different size green cart by calling us at (562) 570-2876. Please note, all requests will be reviewed before changes are approved.
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How do I prevent pests, odors, and messes in my outdoor green cart?
- Place yard trimmings in your green cart before and after adding your food scraps.
- Place cardboard or paper in the bottom of your green cart to absorb moisture.
- Place your green cart out for collection every week, even if not full.
- Rinse your green cart as needed and sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of the cart to reduce odors.
- Don’t overfill your green cart and keep the lid securely closed.
- Call our Refuse Hotline at (562) 570-2876 for repair or replacement of broken or damaged carts.
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If my green cart is not full should I still set it out for service?
Yes, to prevent odors and pests, it is best to place your cart out for service every week.
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My green cart collection was missed, what do I do?
Call our Call Center at (562) 570-2876 to report the missed pick up.
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If I live in an apartment or condo, will I still get a green cart?
- Yes, all residents will receive a green cart.
- If you live in an apartment or condominium serviced by a private hauling company, you should already have organics recycling service. If you do not or are not sure, contact your company to set up service (if your property management company, HOA, or landlord is the account holder they may have to contact the company on your behalf).
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What happens to the green cart contents?
Content of the green carts will be taken to compost facilities to make agricultural compost or an anerobic digester where organic waste is turned into renewable energy.
Recycling Carts FAQs
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What happened to my purple recycling cart?
- We are updating our recycling carts color to be compliant with State Law (Senate Bill 1383) which requires that all trash carts must be grey or black, recycling carts must be blue, and organics carts must be green. Purple recycling carts that are collected will be recycled.
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When green carts are delivered, new blue carts will also be delivered to replace the purple recycling carts currently in use. Purple recycling carts will be collected and recycled.
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Please leave your purple cart out until the new blue cart is dropped off. The City will replace all the carts on the same day, but due to unforeseen circumstances delays may occur. If your purple cart is not collected on your service day, continue to leave it out until Saturday. Please call us at (562) 570-2876 if your cart has not been collected after Saturday, October 19th.
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My purple cart has not been collected, what do I do?
If your purple cart is not collected on the same day your blue cart is dropped off, please leave the cart out for city staff to collect it when possible. If it has been more than 5 days, please call our customer service hotline at (562) 570-2876 to report the missed cart.
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Are the recycling guidelines the same for the blue and purple carts?
Yes! The only change is the color of the cart to match the state-wide mandated colors of SB1383. The City's recycling guidelines remain the same.