LWers reminded to compost food scraps, organics

EARTH DAY

Athens Services collects LWers’ compostable materials from the small green compost containers near the trash bins.

Landfills are the third largest source of methane in California. Organics waste emits 20% of the state’s methane; a climate super pollutant up to 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide. By diverting organics from the landfill, LWers are part of the solution in helping to protect the environment and future generations.

Per Senate Bill 1383, singlefamily home residents and multifamily complexes across California are now required to place into their green waste

A compostable bag . lled will food scraps. container all of their landscaping waste, food scraps and foodsoiled paper.

Athens’ American Organics compost facility converts organics waste into nutrient-rich soil amendment. The resulting compost is used by commercial farmers, city projects, garden shops, landscapers and residents.

To collect kitchen food scraps, people can use a portable, reusable pail-like container with a tight-fitting lid. It could be plastic, metal, or ceramic. They can also consider reusing a coffee canister, large yogurt or margarine tub, or juice pitcher.

Pail options can be purchased at a retail store or searched online for “kitchen pail.”

The receptacle can be stored on a kitchen counter, under the sink, in the freezer, or wherever someone feels is best.

Liners are optional. Plastic and bioplastic “compostable” bags are accepted in the organics/ compost container, but must be clear or translucent-green, and bag contents must be visible. Acceptable organics will be processed, but the bags will not be recycled or composted.

Accepted materials: Green Waste

• Flower & hedge trimmings

• Grass clippings

• Leaves and branches

• Lumber, scrap wood and plywood (not painted or treated)

• Weeds Food Scraps

• Bread, rice and pasta

• Cheese and dairy

• Coffee grounds and filters

• Fruits and vegetables

• Flowers and herbs

• Meat, bones and poultry

• Seafood and soft shells (lobster, crab and shrimp)

• Pet food (non-medicated) Food-Soiled Paper*

• Food-stained paper

• Paper egg cartons

• Paper napkins & kitchen towels

• Pizza boxes

• Plates

• To-go boxes (no coating)

• Wooden and 100% fiber-based utensils *No materials with bio-plastic, wax, or petroleum-based plastic coating, liner, or laminate) Do not include:

• All plastics

• Cacti, succulents and yucca

• Compostable plastics (bioplastics) • Coffee cups and pods

• Fats, oils and grease

• Food stickers

• Gloves

• Hard shells (clams, mussels, oysters)

• Medication

• Palm fronds

• Paper napkins and towels with cleaning chemicals

• Parchment and wax paper

• Pet waste

• Rocks and soil

• Rubber bands and twist ties

• Tea bags

• Textiles

• Tissues and wet wipes For proper waste sorting tips and best practices, visit CanIRecycleMy. com or visit AthensServices.com/SB-1383.