Break down on organics graphic

What is organic waste?

Items that can be incorporated into products such as recycled paper, cardboard, compost, mulch, or converted to energy. They include:

  • Food scraps
  • Landscaping clippings
  • Wood and lumber
  • Paper products
  • Manure
  • Biosolids
  • Digestate and sludge

Where should these go?

As of Jan. 1, 2022, Anaheim residents won't see a change in their bins and won't be required to dispose of food and organic waste differently.

Instead, we're expecting to implement a plan starting January 2023.

Much of 2022 will be spent learning about food and organic waste disposal and figuring out how best to implement new habits into our daily routines before new requirements go into place in 2023. 

In the meantime, please do not put food waste in your yard cart. While we appreciate your eager desire to divert food waste from landfills, our waste hauler is still preparing for the upcoming changes as well. 

If you want to take matters into your own hands and give composting at home a try, you can buy a composting bin from the city for $20. Please call (714) 765-6883 for more details.

Food waste in cart

Why does it matter?

Organic waste in landfills emits 20 percent of the state’s methane, a climate super pollutant 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Organic waste, such as food scraps, yard trimmings, paper and cardboard, make up half of what Californians send to landfills. 

Knowing this, California has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve human health with the signing of a new law affecting Anaheim residents in January 2023. The law will help us reduce short-lived, harmful, super pollutants with significant warming impacts on our climate. 

Learn more about California's plan that changes the way we throw away our food, paper products and more here!

Landfill

Businesses doing their part

Anaheim restaurants and commercial operations with extra food can also do their part to divert food waste from landfills. It's done through a food recovery program that gets edible food into the hands of local food banks and food donation organizations. 

Benefits to donating perishable and nonperishable food include:

  • Reduction in costs associated with reducing food waste
  • Meets state requirements for landfill diversion
  • Tax deductions for donated food

By managing food sustainably and reducing waste, we can save money, provide food to hungry people and families in Orange County and conserve natural resources for future generations. 

There are many ways you can donate edible food in Anaheim and Orange County. Here's a list connecting you to Anaheim-based food recovery organizations, such as churches and other small nonprofits.

Here's a list of food banks and recovery organizations serving all of Orange County.

Food donation box
Second harvest food bank blurb
Abound Food blurb
CAP OC blurb
Chefs end hunger blurb
Food finders blurb