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Organics Recycling - What Goes Where

SB 1383 Reducing Short-Lived Climate Pollutants in California

What is Acceptable/Unacceptable in the Recycle Cart?

Remember to:

  • Empty and scrape all recyclable containers of any residue.
  • Flatten cardboard and boxes.

Acceptable Recyclable Materials (items should be placed loosely in cart):

  • Aluminum and Metal Cans
  • Aluminum Foil (clean) and Pans
  • Cardboard
  • Glass Bottles and Jars
  • Junk Mail
  • Magazines
  • Milk and Juice Cartons
  • Newspaper
  • Office Paper
  • Paper Egg Cartons
  • Plastic Buckets
  • Plastic Containers
  • Small Scrap Metal (less than 10 pounds, no cords/chains)

Unacceptable Items:

  • Ceramics
  • Concrete, Dirt, Asphalt
  • Construction Debris
  • Food-Soiled Paper
  • Food Waste
  • Light Bulbs
  • Garbage
  • Glassware
  • Hazardous or Medical Waste
  • Holiday Lights
  • Garden Hoses
  • Mirrors
  • Propane or Helium Tanks
  • Restroom Waste
  • Window Glass
  • Yard Trimmings

What is Acceptable/Unacceptable in the Organics Cart?

Acceptable Organics Materials

  • Meat (including bones)
  • Poultry
  • Seafood (including shellfish)
  • Bread and Pasta
  • Rice
  • Dairy
  • All fruits and Vegetables (including pits and shells)
  • Eggshells and Eggs
  • Food Scraps
  • Cooking Grease: Small amounts can be soaked up with a paper towel
  • Coffee Grounds and Filters
  • Small Branches, Leaves, Grass, Weeds
  • Flowers, Plants
  • Paper Cups, Bags and Plates
  • Paper Take-Out Food Containers (must not have wax or plastic coating)
  • Paper Towels, Tissues and Napkins
  • Greasy Pizza Boxes (clean pizza boxes should be placed in the recycle cart)
  • Tea Bags (no metal staples)
  • Untreated Wood
  • Yard Trimmings

Unacceptable Organics Material

  • Animal Waste
  • Asphalt
  • Concrete
  • Construction Debris
  • Dirt
  • Garbage
  • Grease
  • Hazardous or Medical Waste
  • Liquids
  • Oil
  • Recyclable Materials
  • Restroom Waste
  • Treated or Painted Wood

What is Acceptable/Unacceptable in the Trash Cart?

Acceptable Trash Materials

  • Bagged Animal Waste
  • Ceramics
  • Diapers and Feminine Products
  • Garden Hoses
  • Glassware (other than bottles and jars)
  • Juice, Soup, or Milk type of boxes with foil/plastic liner
  • Snack Bags
  • Toys
  • Plastic Bags, Styrofoam, Latex Gloves
  • Non-Donatable Clothing, Bedding, Textiles

Unacceptable Trash Materials

  • Appliances
  • Asphalt
  • Batteries
  • Bulk Items
  • Compostable Materials
  • Concrete
  • Construction Debris
  • Dirt
  • Electronics
  • Fluorescent Tubes or Lights
  • Hazardous or Medical Waste
  • Liquids, Oil or Grease
  • Mirrors
  • Recyclable Materials
  • Sharps (Needles/Syringes)

Call Republic Services at (800) 700-8610 to set up proper disposal of bulky items (including appliances), hazardous waste, and construction and demolition materials.

The following items do not belong in ANY collection cart:

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)

  • Batteries of any type
  • Full or partially full aerosol cans
  • Paints
  • Household cleaners (Bleach, drain cleaners, pool chemicals, etc.)
  • Fluorescent light bulbs
  • Solar panels
  • Flammable products, including propane tanks
  • Automotive fluids
  • Herbicides and pesticides
  • Mercury containing devices (thermostats, thermometers)

Electronic Waste (E-Waste)

  • Any items that are powered by electricity or a battery, such as:
    • Microwaves
    • VCR/CD/DVD Players
    • TVs/Computer Monitors
    • Computers/Video Game Consoles
    • Cell Phones/Tablets
    • Printers/Scanners/Fax Machines
    • Vacuum Cleaners
    • VCR/CD/DVD Players
    • TVs/Computer Monitors
    • Computers/Video Game Consoles
    • Cell Phones/Tablets
    • Printers/Scanners/Fax Machines
    • Vacuum Cleaners

Residents can take Household Hazardous Waste items and E-Waste items to one of four Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers for free. For more information, please visit https://oclandfills.com/hazardous-waste

You can also make arrangements to have Republic Services pick up electronic waste by calling (714) 368-2300.