Organic Waste Composting

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

Carlsbad residents and businesses must compost food scraps, yard clippings and other “organic” materials in their green compost cart as part of a new state law.

Organic waste recycling

Organic waste collected by Republic Services will be recycled at their composting facility in Otay to create compost for public, private and city use.

What goes in the green compost bin?

Why it’s important

Get a kitchen caddy

You can collect your food scraps in a kitchen caddy or container until you throw the scraps in your green cart on trash day.

Carlsbad residents can pick up a free kitchen caddy from Republic Services year-round:

Palomar Transfer Station
5960 El Camino Real
Monday through Saturday
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Residents can contact Republic Services directly to learn more at 760-332-6464 or carlsbadservice@republicservices.com.

Tips for success

Reduce food waste

Reduce what you have to throw in the compost cart by:

Planning meals before shopping.
Learning the difference between "sell-by," "use-by," "best-by" expiration dates.
Keeping your refrigerator and freezer organized, as it’s easy to forget about food in the back or bottom.

Keep away odors and pests

Store your food scraps in a kitchen caddy or container with a lid, and make sure the lid is closed.
Store your food scrap container or caddy under the sink or in the fridge or freezer until you throw the scraps in your green cart on trash day.
Clean your green compost bin out with a hose, but please take it into your yard first. That way, you’ll be watering your landscaping at the same time. It’s important not to let run off get into the storm drain system, where it picks up contaminants and brings them to our lagoons and ocean.
Rather than using any plastic bags, consider wrapping your food and yard waste with paper bags, newspaper or thin cardboard boxes. Residents should not line their organic waste bins.

Get rid of fruit flies

Fruit flies often travel into the home on fresh produce. If you find yourself with fruit flies you can:

Use a vacuum to suction up any fruit flies that might develop.
Trap the next generation with a fruit fly trap. One way to do this is to pour some apple cider vinegar in a small bowl or cup and cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Poke a few holes in the wrap with a toothpick. The flies will be drawn to the vinegar and will get trapped inside.

Laws and regulations

Contact

Resources