Green waste and organics recycling

organic food waste in a small bin

Organic waste includes food scraps, food-soiled paper and yard waste. In Lakewood, these items go in the green organics cart provided by EDCO.

Recycling organic waste helps reduce landfill waste and supports California’s organics recycling requirements.

Food donation

Before throwing food away, consider whether it can be donated.

Food Finders is a nonprofit food recovery organization that helps rescue edible food and distribute it to people in need. To learn more, call 562-283-1400 or visit Food Finders.

What goes in your green cart

Examples of items that can go in your green cart include:

  • Food scraps: Fruit, vegetables, meat, bones, non-liquid dairy, eggshells and prepared food.
  • Food-soiled paper: Napkins, tea bags, paper plates and coffee filters.
  • Yard waste: Plants, leaves, branches, grass, weeds, flowers, palm fronds, clippings, ivy, floral decorations, Halloween pumpkins, Christmas trees, sod and ice plant in small quantities.

Christmas trees should be cut down, if needed, so they fit inside the cart with the lid closed.

What not to put in your green cart

  • Do not use plastic bags for green waste. Bags, including biodegradable bags, contaminate the green waste.
  • No dirt, rocks, asphalt, concrete or sand.
  • No cat litter or other pet waste. Pet waste and cat litter should be bagged and placed in the gray trash cart.
  • No cooking fat, oil or grease. Collect it separately for recycling.

Cooking fat, oil and grease

Kitchen fat, oil and grease, also called FOG, should be collected separately and recycled. Do not pour FOG down the drain, where it can harden in pipes and cause sewer backups.

  • Let cooking fat, oil and grease cool after cooking.
  • Pour cooled FOG into a leakproof container.
  • Do not mix FOG with motor oil, gear oil or other automotive fluids.
  • Drop off filled containers at EDCO’s Buyback Center at 2755 California Avenue, Signal Hill.

Contact EDCO before visiting to confirm accepted items, hours and drop-off instructions.

Green cart options

Upon request, EDCO will provide up to two additional large green waste carts to residents at no charge.

If you have physical limitations or space constraints at home, contact EDCO to request a smaller rolling green waste cart at no cost.

EDCO no longer picks up green waste in residents’ old green waste containers because the system is fully automated.

Branch bundles

You may still leave bundles of branches for pickup at no cost. Bundles must be less than 4 feet long and 18 inches in diameter and tied securely with string or twine.

How organic waste recycling works

  • EDCO collects organics from your green cart.
  • The material is taken to a facility where it is processed.
  • Organic material is turned into useful products such as compost or mulch.
  • Compost and mulch can be used to improve soil in gardens, landscaping and outdoor areas.

Recycled green waste and organic material may be used to produce compost, mulch or other useful products.

Composting at home

You can also compost some organic waste at home for your garden. Learn about composting at home.

Tips for keeping your cart clean

  • Keep the lid closed.
  • Keep the cart in a shaded area, if possible.
  • Freeze or refrigerate food scraps until collection day, if possible.
  • Wrap food scraps in newspaper, a paper bag or other food-soiled paper.
  • Line the bottom of the cart with newspaper, a paper bag or yard waste to absorb moisture and prevent food from sticking.
  • Sprinkle baking soda on top of organic waste if you notice odors.
  • After collection, rinse the cart with water if needed. Pour dirty water onto your lawn, not into the street or storm drain.

For a complete list of green waste and organics recycling dos and don’ts, visit the EDCO organic recycling guide.

EDCO

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