GARBAGE & RECYCLING SERVICES
Food Scrap Bins Available While Supplies Last!
We’re offering free food scrap bins to help residents reduce waste and support composting efforts in our community. Supplies are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Pick up at Sand City, City Hall @ 1 Pendergrass Way Sand City
Business Recycling Requirements & Resources
California State Law AB 341 (2011) requires commercial entities that generate four or more cubic yards of waste per week and all multi-family complexes of five or more units to implement recycling programs. California State Law AB 1826 (2011) requires commercial entities that generate specified amount of organic materials, such as green waste and food waste, to recycle these materials.
See the following links for more information:
Organic Recycling Requirements & Resources
Organic Waste Recycling Requirements (SB 1383)
Under California Senate Bill 1383, residents and businesses in Monterey County must properly manage organic waste to reduce landfill methane emissions while recovering edible food for people in need. Local SB 1383 programs demonstrate how regional collaboration can turn this mandate into meaningful environmental and community benefits.
Preventing Organic Waste
Residents and businesses are encouraged to reduce organic waste generation by:
- Planning meals and purchasing only what is needed
- Storing food properly to prevent spoilage
- Using leftovers creatively
- Composting food scraps as a last resort
Recycling Organic Materials
All organic waste must be separated by residents and businesses and placed in your designated organics container for collection.
Organic materials may be recycled through:
- Curbside organics collection provided by Greenwaste
- On-Site Composting
Methane Reduction Benefits
Keeping organic materials out of landfills helps:
- Prevent methane emissions that occur when organic materials decompose in landfills. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to climate change.
- Create nutrient-rich compost that improves soil health, supports local farms and landscaping, and helps build a circular local economy.
- Improve soil’s ability to retain water and store carbon, helping farms and landscapes become more resilient to drought and climate impacts.
Organic Waste Collection Services
Organic waste generated in Sand City is collected by Greenwaste and processed at ReGen Monterey, your local waste management district. At ReGen, yard trimmings and food scraps are transformed into nutrient-rich compost that helps local farms grow the food that feeds our community.
Contact your hauler if your home or business does not yet have an organics cart.
Public Health and Environmental Benefits
Diverting organic waste from landfills helps protect public health and the environment by:
- Reducing methane emissions that contribute to climate change
- Protecting air and water quality
- Conserving landfill space for future generations
See the following links for more information:
COMMERCIAL EDIBLE FOOD RECOVERY
Certain businesses are required to donate edible food that would otherwise be discarded to food recovery organizations. According to the Monterey County Health Needs Collaborative, over 40 percent of Monterey County residents are food insecure. ReGen Monterey has resources that can connect food generating businesses with nonprofits that distribute food to residents in need including food pantries, senior meal delivery programs, homeless service providers, campus food hubs and food banks.
Which businesses are required to donate edible food?
CalRecycle requires Tier 1 and Tier II commercial edible food generators to donate edible food to FROs.
Edible food recover resources include:
- Careit Food Donation App – A free online marketplace that connects food donors such as restaurants, grocery stores, caterers, institutions and municipalities with nonprofits that recover food for people in need. Nonprofits can claim available food, coordinate pickup, and track donations through the app.
- View a list of local edible food recovery organizations
- Sand City currently has only one Edible Food Recovery Organization at Salvation Army 800 Scott St Sand City, Ca with a capacity of 20,500 lbs/month
- Learn more about Edible Food Recovery Grants
- Visit CalRecycle to learn more SB 1383 requirements for food recovery organizations
- Best Practice Guide for Food Recovery Organizations and Services
For more information on this topic, please visit the CalRecycle Website.
Construction & Demolition Debris Recycling Resources
State law requires 50% of construction and demolition (C&D) debris recycling from specified building and all demolition projects. Planning for C&D recycling is important at the time of permit application. The options in Sand City for C&D Hauling Services include:
- Contact GreenWaste Recovery, the City’s franchised hauler of Drop-Box Services. See GreenWaste Recovery Drop-Box Services or call (831) 920-6707; or;
- Self-Haul the materials to various recycling facilities. Be sure to keep your weight tickets as evidence of recycling and provide those tickets to City Hall.
See the following links for more information: