Organics

California legislation requires the collection of organic waste. All waste haulers, including Athens Services, are required to provide organics collection service to all businesses and residents effective January 1, 2022.

SB 1383

This law establishes targets to achieve a 75 percent reduction in the statewide disposal of organic waste by 2025. The law sets an additional target that at least 20 percent of currently disposed edible food is recovered for human consumption by 2025. This law is intended to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP) in various sectors of California's economy..

Download Printable Organic Sorting Information Posters

Organics FAQs

  • Yes. California law (SB 1383) requires every jurisdiction to provide organic waste collection services to all residents and businesses. Learn More.

  • You can add any green waste (yard waste, grass clippings, branches, weeds, untreated and unpainted lumber), food scraps (fruits, vegetables, cheese and dairy products, meat, fish, bones, egg shells, bread, pizza crust, rice, coffee grounds), and food-soiled paper (used paper towels and napkins, pizza boxes, 100% fiber-based to-go containers) to your organics bin. Learn more

  • To avoid plastic waste, it is strongly preferred that organic waste be unbagged. You may place a brown paper bag in the bottom of your bin. If you must use a bag for your food waste, please use a clear plastic bag so that its contents are visible through the bag. Plastic (and compostable) bags placed in the organics bin will be ripped open and discarded.