Sort With Heart. Do Your Part.
Put food scraps in the green cart.
Put food scraps in your green cart.
LEARN ABOUT OUR FOOD SORTING TIPS
ReGen Monterey
ReGen Monterey service area includes the cities of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Del Rey Oaks, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Sand City, Seaside, and the unincorporated areas of Big Sur, Carmel Highlands, Carmel Valley, Castroville, Corral De Tierra, Laguna Seca, Moss Landing, Pebble Beach, San Benancio, and Toro Park.
Salinas Valley Recycles
Salinas Valley Recycles serves the Cities of Salinas, Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield, and King City and County of Monterey (eastern unincorporated area).
Every peel, husk, and leftover has a purpose. When we throw food in the trash, we waste more than a meal, we lose the love and labor, that went into it. But when we put food scraps in the green organics cart, we honor that labor of love while protecting the future.
California’s SB 1383 law keeps food out of landfills, reducing pollution and turning scraps into compost that nourishes local farms and gardens.
Why Sorting Your Food Scraps Matters
The average American throws away 400 lbs of food scraps each year. But food scraps don’t belong in the trash — they can be composted instead, reducing climate pollution and improving our soil.
When food ends up in the landfill, it creates methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Composting scraps instead turns them into nutrient-rich compost that helps local farms and gardens grow while conserving water and reducing pollution.
What to Do With Your Food Scraps
What Goes in the Green Cart
- Fruits & veggies (including peels, pits, seeds, and spoiled bits)
- Cooked meat, seafood (including bones and shells)
- Dairy and eggshells
- Breads, grains, and nut shells
- Coffee grounds
- Leftovers and spoiled food
- Yard trimmings: grass, leaves, branches, untreated wood, etc.
What Stays Out of the Green Cart
- Raw meat, oils, and liquids
- Plastic (including compostable plastics)
- Paper, cardboard, glass, or metal
- Food packaging, twist ties, stickers, rubber bands
- Diapers, pet waste, garden hoses, soil, dirt, and toxic plants
- Hazardous waste and chemically treated wood
How to Collect Scraps at Home
- Choose a container – Any bowl, bin, or reused tub will work.
- Collect scraps from food prep, plate leftovers, or fridge cleanouts.
- Empty into your green cart – No bags or liners, just the food.
Tips to Avoid Smells & Pests
- Store scraps in the freezer to eliminate odor.
- Use a lid or choose a container with ventilation.
- Empty every few days, even if not full.
- Layer with yard trimmings in the cart to prevent flies.
- Sprinkle baking soda in bins to absorb odors.
- Keep the green cart in a shady spot.
- Wash your container regularly.
- Use a 5-gallon bucket with a lid for outdoor storage.
Simple Ways to Reduce Food Waste (Your ‘Foodprint’)
- Buy only what you need.
- Eat leftovers or get creative with new meals.
- Donate unused, packaged food to food banks.
- Use food parts like peels for snacks or teas.
- Freeze items before they spoil.
- Check expiration dates regularly.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
- Don’t use garbage disposals for food scraps — they waste energy and water.
- Don’t include compostable plastics or utensils – they contaminate the compost.
- Don’t toss in tea bags or bleached coffee filters — opt for reusable versions.
Already Composting at Home?
Great! Keep it up. You can still use the green cart for excess scraps or hard-to-compost items like bones or shells.
Only These Belong in the Green Cart
Loose food scraps
Loose yard waste
No bags. No packaging. No coated or plastic-lined materials.
Compost Smart, Compost Right
We are committed to creating high-quality compost that’s safe for soil and free from harmful contaminants. Keeping non-compostable items out of your green cart protects our environment, supports local farms, and helps us all move toward a more sustainable future.
Why Compostable Products Don't Belong in the Green Cart
Though labeled “compostable,” bioplastics and fiber-based foodware (like take-out boxes and compostable cups) are not accepted in the green cart program — and here’s why:
Bioplastics: Not So Compostable
- Made from plants, but often still include petroleum-based plastic.
- Don’t fully break down in our local compost system (even with high heat).
- Leave plastic fragments behind, contaminating the finished compost.
- Need more time and hotter temps than our process allows.
Example: PLA bags, cups and utensils must be screened out after composting.
Fiber Ware: Coated with Chemicals or Plastic
- Made from natural materials (like sugarcane or bamboo) but are lined with plastic or grease-resistant chemicals.
- These linings don’t break down and introduce harmful microplastics and toxins into compost.
- Compost operators can’t always tell which items are coated, making sorting impossible.
Contamination = Big Problems
Putting plastic, bioplastics, fiberware, and other trash in the green cart:
- Slows down composting
- Reduces compost quality
- Raises health and safety concerns
- Adds cost from extra sorting
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