New Organics Recycling Program is Here!

CR&R and the City of Hemet now offer Organics Recycling. Effective immediately you are now allowed to recycle your kitchen food scraps (PDF) by adding them to your existing yard waste collection cart.

Reducing Short-Lived Climate Pollutants

In September 2016, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) establishing methane emissions reduction targets in a statewide effort to reduce methane emissions. Methane gas is created in landfills when organic waste naturally decomposes. In accordance with this law, all local jurisdictions must provide recycling and organics waste collection services to all residential and commercial generators by January 1, 2022. This will help divert organic materials from landfills. If you have not done so already, please reach out to CR&R, the City’s waste hauler, to sign up for collection services. 

In addition to organics recycling collection programs, SB 1383 regulations also require businesses to minimize throwing out “edible food” by requiring the implementation of an Edible Food Program.

Starting January 1, 2022: All Tier One edible food generators will need to either sign up for organics recycling services or donate their food waste to a food bank or non-profit charitable organization. Tier One generators include supermarkets, grocery stores, food service providers, food distributors, and wholesale food vendors.

Starting January 1, 2024: All Tier Two edible food generators will need to either sign up for organics recycling services or donate their food waste to a food bank or a non-profit charitable organization. Tier Two generators include restaurants, hotels, health facilities, large venues, large events, state agencies, and local education agencies. 

For more information on SB 1383, please visit www.calrecycle.ca.gov/organic/slcp

WHAT ARE ORGANICS?

Organic waste is split into two (2) categories: Food Scraps and Green Waste.

Food scraps include all peels, nuts, seeds, meat, and shells. It does not matter if the food is rotting or if it is the part of the food we do not eat, that food will still go in the food scraps bin.

 Plastic wrappers that food comes in should not be put in your food waste container.

Green waste includes all plant debris and landscaping waste.

Do not put plastic/paper bags, water hoses, metal, hazardous waste, glass, or other material that does not grow from the earth in your green waste container.

For more information on our organics program please contact CR&R at (800) 755-8112. Additional information regarding details on the legislation can be found on CalRecycle's website.

Get Compliance Help

Once your business decides to implement a recycling program, CR&R's Sustainability Specialist can assist in the training of your employees. They can provide educational materials explaining the program in depth. One of the keys to a successful program is education, from ownership to management to staff.

Kitchen Food Scrap Pail

Kitchen Food Scrap Pails (PDF) are available at the City of Hemet Corporation Yard, located at 3777 Industrial Avenue The first pail is "free" of charge and there is a nominal charge for additional pails. Please collect food scraps in your CR&R provided pail and then empty the contents into your Green Organics Cart for curbside collection.