Organics Recycling Starts Today, April 1

Starting today, April 1, 2022, EDCO is now offering organics recycling services to all residential customers in RPV. This is due to SB 1383, a new state law that requires Californians to separate organics waste, such as leftover food and kitchen scraps, from their trash and place it in their green waste bins in an effort to reduce methane emissions.

What does this mean for your household?

You should have received materials from EDCO in the mail explaining what organics recycling services look like, how to dispose of your organics waste, and how to order a free Kitchen Caddie to conveniently empty out in your green cart. You can also download these materials from the City website at the following links:

EDCO Organics Recycling Coming Soon Mailer (PDF)
EDCO Organics Recycling Instructions (PDF)
EDCO Organics Recycling is Easy (PDF)
EDCO Organics Recycling Postcard (PDF)
 
Additional information is available on EDCO’s website at the following link: https://rancho-palos-verdes.edcodisposal.com/residential-waste-services/curbside-pickup/organic-recycling/

EDCO also produced the video below providing an overview of its organics recycling services.

What is organics waste?

Organics waste is a renewable natural resource, and it mainly comes from yard and kitchen waste from homes, food waste, and industrial and commercial operations scraps. Mandatory recycling of organics waste is the next step to achieving California’s Zero Waste goals. 

Organics Recycling with EDCO

Recycling organics is easy and convenient with EDCO’s commingled Organics Recycling program. EDCO has expanded the source-separated green waste collection to include recycling food waste. The service allows customers to place food scraps in the same container as green waste. Collect food scraps in any container for an easy way to set aside leftovers for your green organics cart. Coffee cans, plastic food storage containers, or kitchen caddies can be used. Please do not use any kind of plastic bags for any type of green waste, food waste or other organics, as they contaminate the compost. All organic material must be placed loosely inside the organics cart for collection. Paper bags are acceptable.

What can go in the green cart?

Below are just a few examples of what can be placed in your green cart.

Food Scraps

Cooked or raw meat, poultry, and seafood (including bones), cheese, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, grains, pasta, eggshells, bread, coffee grounds, tea bags, tea leaves, baked goods, nuts, jelly, candy, snack foods, leftovers, spoiled food.

Food-Soiled Paper

Paper bags, paper napkins, paper towels, paper plates, paper cups, paper take-out containers and take-out boxes (with no plastic or wax coating, and metal removed), paper coffee filters, tissues.

Yard Waste

Grass clippings, small branches, small tree limbs, tree roots, flowers, leaves, plants, straw.

What if I live in a multi-family residence?

Green waste for multi-family customers is typically handled by landscapers. If you live in a multi-family residence such as an apartment or condominium, organics recycling services will typically depend upon how your building owner, building management or homeowners’ association board determines they will meet the requirements of SB 1383. Multi-family customers may obtain organic waste services from EDCO for an additional fee, self-haul in conformance with the requirements of SB 1383, or apply for a de minimis waiver if you meet certain specific conditions per SB 1383. For more information, please contact the Public Works Department at publicworks@rpvca.gov.

What if I already compost?

SB 1383 does not allow any waivers to single-family residents. Therefore, even if single-family customers compost their own food waste, the City cannot provide a waiver nor a rate reduction.

Questions?

If you have questions about organics recycling, please contact EDCO by email at csrsh@edcodisposal.com, via text message at (562) 203-0295, by phone at (310) 540-2977 or visit EDCO’s website at rpvrecycles.com.

If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 310-683-3157, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.