Plastics marketed as 'compostable', 'biodegradable' or 'plant-based' are not accepted in the green bin at this time. These products are a major contaminant at our local compost facilities. While they may be made from plants originally, these plastics are typically chemically identical to conventional, petroleum-based plastics. The certifications for these products are often done by third parties, who test them in a lab setting. They can take  months to decompose, while organic material takes about 2 weeks to breakdown at Kompogas, the organic processing facility in SLO. In the amount of time that our food and yard waste breaks down,  plant-based plastics have barely begun to degrade. 

In addition, plant-based plastics often look identical to petroleum-based plastics. When organic material is processed at the facilities, the processors are unable to tell the difference, and will pull them out as a contaminant. 

Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383), established a requirement of reducing the amount of organic waste (food waste, yard waste, and food soiled paper) that ends up at the landfill by 75 percent by the year 2025. Everyone is required to divert their organic waste from the garbage. 

This small act is an easy way to combat climate change, and in the process it saves these valuable materials for use by our local farms. Our organic waste is turned into compost, a nutrient-rich soil amendment that helps our local farms and vineyards grow healthy crops. 

Organic just means material from plants or animals. All foods and their scraps are considered organics. Some foods in the grocery store are labeled with an 'organic' certification, but this is not related to the organic materials that we put in the green bin. Foods that are not organically grown can still go in the green bin.  If it grows, it goes!

Raw meat, cooked meat, spoiled meat, bones, seafood shells, and more can all go into your curbside green bin. The composting techniques used by our partner facilities are designed to process these materials!

Contact your waste hauler to request a container. 

Use this interactive map to determine who your solid waste hauler is: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/0296a966e6714884b31e6efa0780714d/ 

Property managers of properties with 5 or more units are required to provide a green bin for the collection of organic waste to their tennants. Contact your property management to learn more!

The following organic items should be put in your curbside green waste/organic container:

• Food and kitchen scraps
• Green and yard waste material such as landscaping cuttings, grass clippings, pruning, small branches (less than 2″ in diameter)
• Small clean untreated lumber and wood pieces
• Uncoated food soiled paper such as food soiled napkins, food soiled paper towel, food soiled brown paper bags and uncoated/nonglossy food soiled newspaper

• Plastic bags & wraps
• Marketed compostable products (bags, liners, utensils, or plates)
• Paper napkins or towel with cleaning chemicals or bathroom waste
• Pet waste or kitty litter
• Dirt & rocks
• Liquids – including fats, oils, and grease
• Palms fronds , poison oak, cactus, bamboo, tree stumps
• Painted or treated wood
• Hygiene products (diapers, wipes, sanitary products)
• Hazardous waste
• Trash

If  you have yard waste, try layering it below food scraps to soak up any excess moisture. Be sure to put your green bin out for collection every week, even if it's not very full. You may also try baking soda in the bottom of the green organics container prior to filling it.  

Always keep the lids of all containers closed. Add yard trimmings, such as leaves and/or grass clippings, in your green waste/organics bin prior to adding food scraps to help keep it clean. Place the green waste/organics container out for collection every week for service, even if it is not full. Lightly rinse your green waste/organics container as needed, emptying the water onto your lawn and not in the street where it can pollute waterways.

It will not smell more than trash containers as it will hold the same type of material. However, to reduce odors, keep the lid closed and rinse regularly.

You can continue to compost food waste in your home or on your property. Your city's program will accept other organics that are not recommended for backyard composting, including clean untreated wood waste, larger branches, food soiled paper napkins, and certain food wastes that can attract vermin. SB 1383 requires waste service providers to collect all organics, not just those that can be recycled in backyard composting. 

Kitchen pails are available at no cost for San Luis Obispo County residents!

Participants can pick up a kitchen pail at the IWMA office at 555 Chorro St, Unit D, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. no appointment necessary, or you may also contact your solid waste provider.

Whatever you are putting in your green waste/organics container can go in your kitchen pail. This includes fruit and vegetables, raw and cooked food scraps, meat and bones, fish and shellfish, cheese and dairy, eggs and eggshells, bread and cereal, grains and rice, food soiled paper napkins, coffee grounds and filters, and tea bags.

Plastic bags, wraps, plastic straws, liquids, marketed compostable products, paper napkins/towels with cleaning chemicals, and coated paper.

You may  line your kitchen pail with newspaper or a paper bag. Keep the lid of the pail closed and empty your kitchen pail into your green waste/organics container regularly. Rinse your kitchen pail each time you empty it; kitchen pails can be washed with dishwashing soap or put in the dishwasher. You can also keep your kitchen pail in your refrigerator or freezer to minimize odors.

If you would like information on SB 1383 regulations and statewide resources, you can find it at CalRecycle’s  website.