Multifamily Compostables Service

Removing organic material from the landfill is a top priority for all of California. When organic material like food waste is landfilled, it breaks down and creates Methane – a greenhouse gas 80x more powerful than Carbon Dioxide. More methane means more global warming, droughts, and wildfires.

As of January 2022, every home, apartment complex, and business in California is required by law to collect their food waste, yard waste, and paper separately from all other waste. The law (SB 1383) aims to reduce harmful methane emissions. Learn more about SB 1383 and other recycling laws here.

WHAT GOES IN THE compostables CART

Marin Sanitary Service provides up to four (4) 64 gallon carts per building in the bundled service rate. Your compostable receptacles should be clearly marked and easy to identify.

All compostable items placed in these compostables carts are taken to Redwood Landfill’s WM EarthCare™ of Marin composting facility in Novato where they are turned into compost approved for organic farming.

Visit our Multifamily Services page to review the size and container options for commercial customers.

WHAT GOES IN THE COMPOSTABLES CART

FOOD SCRAPS

If you can eat it, it can go in the compostables cart!

FOOD-SOILED PAPER

YARD WASTE

This list isn’t comprehensive. When in doubt, please use the Where Does It Go, Joe tool to look up a what cart a specific item should go into.

WHAT CANNOT GO IN THE COMPOSTABLES CART

Compostable or Bio-degradable plastics of any kind
Compostable or Bio-degradable bags
Compostable or Bio-degradable cups or containers
Compostable or Bio-degradable utensils
Plastic bags
Coffee Cups
Paper soft drink cups
Paper soup cups

Cartons
Waxed cardboard
Palm Fronds
Yucca
Poison Oak
Bamboo
Dirt / Soil or rocks
Pet or human waste

This list isn’t comprehensive. When in doubt, please use the Where Does It Go, Joe tool to look up a what cart a specific item should go into.

Why no compostable or bio-degradable plastics?

We CANNOT accept any plastics labeled as compostable or bio-degradable. If we did, the quality compost WM EarthCare™ produces would lose its organic farming certification. Their compost is certified by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI). OMRI doesn’t allow compostable or bio-degradable plastics as many are actually petroleum based and just break down into micro plastics. Others don’t break down rapidly enough and it is hard to differentiate between compostable and non-compostable plastics.

Please put your compostable plastics or bio-degradable items in your garbage cart or bin.

Where does it go, Joe?

It’s very important that we avoid contaminating our recycling or compostable streams. When in doubt, use our handy “Where Does It Go, Joe?” online tool to find out what material goes in what cart.

GET JOE ON THE GO! You’ll always have Joe’s sorting advice at your fingertips with the Marin Sanitary Service mobile app. Download it for your Apple Device or Google Device now for free!

Join California's Climate Food Fight

As of January 2022, SB 1383 requires every home, apartment complex, and business in California to collect their food waste, yard waste, and paper separately from all other waste.

When organic material like food waste is landfilled, it breaks down and creates Methane – a greenhouse gas 80x more powerful than Carbon Dioxide.

More methane means more global warming, droughts, and wildfires. Do your part to stop climate change by placing your food scraps, yard waste and food-soiled paper in your green cart, not garbage.

What to do with extra compostables.

Green Waste Vase

Property managers, owners, or account holders may contact customer service at (415) 456-2601 prior to your service day if you find that your total amount of compostables (yard/food waste) exceeds the capacity of your container.

Please do not overload your compostable cart!

What happens to your compostables?

Take a look at how your compostables are turned into organic compost at Redwood Landfill.

How one multifamily complex succeeds with composting compliance.

Read this Sessions Rise Case Study (pdf) about how this 73-unit group of condos in San Rafael, came into compliance with AB 1826 with the help of one resident, her HOA, and Marin Sanitary Service.

38% of what's in Marin's garbage should go in compost!

A garbage cart that shows images of what's inside it and 38% is food and food-soiled paper which belongs in compost
In 2014, Marin Sanitary Service conducted a study to identify the types of materials being sent to landfill. We discovered that 38% of what residents were throwing in the trash could have been composted – the process of turning organic materials such as food scraps, yard waste and compostable paper into a nutrient rich soil for use in gardens, farms and vineyards.

SB 1383 requires that all residents, businesses and local governments in the State of California no longer send any food waste, yard waste, or paper to the landfill.

Have Questions?

Our customer support representatives are available Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at (415) 456-2601.

Recycling Laws

What you need to know about California’s mandatory composting and recycling laws.

We Can Help

We provide compost and recycling opportunity assessments, diversion planning, training, and posters to help your complex recycle successfully.