August 8, 2022
How to Comply in Garden Grove

What Happens After Pickup?

On Thursday, September 1, 2022, the City of Garden Grove, in partnership with the City’s waste disposal contractor, Republic Services, will launch the new Organics Recycling program focused on residential and commercial food waste recycling. The state-mandated program will roll out in phases, starting with enabling single-family residents to place all food waste, food-soiled paper, and yard waste in their brown organics cart as of September 1, 2022. Residents living in multi-unit properties and business owners will be included in upcoming phases.

“We want all Garden Grove residents and businesses to understand the importance of food recycling for the community and the environment, and start putting best practices into use now, as part of a regular daily routine,” said Garden Grove Mayor Steve Jones.

Organic waste includes all food scraps, including meat, fish, poultry, bones, fruits, vegetables, bread, pasta, rice, and grains; food-soiled paper, such as pizza boxes, coffee filters, wet paper towels, and soiled napkins; and yard waste, including grass, leaves, small branches, plants, weeds, and garden trimmings.

Items not accepted in the brown organics cart include recyclables, plastic bags, compostable or biodegradable plastics, Styrofoam, dirt, animal waste, or trash.

“By taking the simple act of placing organic waste into an organics recycling cart instead of a trash cart, Garden Grove residents are helping divert organic waste from the landfill and reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions,” said Republic Services General Manager Dan Capener.

Republic Services will pick-up the brown organics cart on your regularly scheduled collection day. Organic waste will be taken to a composting facility and converted into soil amendments.

Single-family residents without a brown organics cart can request one by calling Republic Services at (800) 700-8610.

In addition, the City will provide free kitchen pails to residents to collect organic waste before discarding in the brown organics cart. Stay tuned for more information on when these pails will be available.

The City of Garden Grove and Republic Services will also continue the annual Compost Giveaway event, offering residents up to 60 gallons of free compost, as well as community clean-up days for free bulky items disposal.

The new Organics Recycling program is mandated by California Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383), a statewide effort to divert organic waste from landfills, reducing emissions of short-lived climate pollutants.

Residents and business owners interested in learning more about organics recycling are encouraged to visit ggcity.org/organics-recycling, republicservices.com/municipality/garden-grove-ca, email OCRecycles@republicservices.com, or call (800) 700-8610.