COMMERCIAL ORGANICS GUIDELINES
What Can I Put in my City-Serviced Green Organics Cart?
Food Scraps
Food scraps are any leftover food-based material. Examples: all meat, bones, dairy, bread, vegetables, fruits, eggs and shells, coffee grounds, cheese, pasta, ANY FOOD. Food must be removed from packaging.
Yard Trimmings
Yard trimmings are any plant trimmings, grass clippings, flowers, twigs, and branches.
Items That Do Not Belong In Your City-Serviced Green Organics Cart
The following items should NOT be placed in your food scraps and yard trimmings cart.
- Recyclables, including items listed on the Recycling Guidelines
- Trash, including items listed on the Refuse Guidelines
- Products and packaging labeled "Compostable" or "Biodegradable"
- Fats, oils, and grease
- Hazardous Waste (HHW) and electronic waste (e-waste)
- Bulky or oversized items and tires
What Goes Where? How to Sort Materials at Your Business
Additional Resources
- For additional resources about the Commercial Organics Collection program, go to the Resources page.
- View our recorded Commercial Organics Collection virtual workshop on our Training and Program Success page.
- For questions, email lborganics@longbeach.gov.
FAQs
Food scraps and yard debris is taken to Republic Services Falcon Transfer Station in Wilmington, CA, where it is then taken to Recology Blossom Valley Organics South in Lamont, CA, and used to create compost.
NO, only food scraps can be placed in the container. All foodware, even those labeled "compostable" or "biodegradable" should be placed in your trash container.
Yes, yard trimmings, including any plant trimmings, grass clippings, flowers, twigs, and branches, are accepted in your green cart.
Typically no more than your trash already does as this is the same material previously in your trash. Tips to reduce pests or odors: Keep collection containers clean and keep cart lids shut.
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