How Claremont Residents Dispose Of Food Waste To Change Jan. 1

CLAREMONT, CA — How Claremont residents dispose of their food waste will soon change in the New Year.

The week, sanitation customers in single-family homes and small multi-family complexes received a letter from the city introducing a new organic material recycling program.

Starting Jan. 1, 2022, all residential customers must begin placing food scraps in the green waste container (green lid) rather than in the trash container (black lid). Items placed in the green container will be composted for more sustainable processing, according to the city.

The program will meet new state mandates aimed at reducing harmful methane emissions from landfills.

"If everyone in the United States composted their food waste, the impact would be equivalent to removing 7.8 million cars from the road!" the city said in a news release. "Please note, the program does not begin until 2022 unless customers were previously enrolled in the pilot program."

The only thing that will change is how customers sort their food scraps. Suitable food scraps include fruits and vegetables, grains, meat and bones, dry/solid dairy products, eggshells, and coffee grounds.

Food scraps may be mixed with green waste, which includes grass clippings, leaves, plant prunings, flowers, twigs, and small branches (less than 4 inches in diameter and 4 feet long).

As a courtesy reminder, palm fronds, cacti, succulents, dirt, rock, and animal waste are not compostable and should always be placed in the trash container, the city said.

Palm fronds, in particular, are a significant source of contamination, which can lead to increased costs. Residents that are currently composting at home are already diverting this waste from landfills and can continue to do so.

To keep things tidy, city officials said residents may place food scraps in clear plastic bags. Using clear bags will allow the composting facility to inspect the bag’s contents prior to opening. Bags do not need to be biodegradable or compostable, just transparent. Since plastic bags contribute to the waste stream, residents may also consider alternative methods such as layering food waste between green waste or freezing food scraps until close to collection day. Yard waste should not be bagged at any time.

To help collect food scraps in your home, the city offers the option to purchase a 2-gallon countertop composting pail for $5 each. The pails have a snap-tight lid, hand grips for dumping, a locking seal to prevent odors, and are dishwasher safe. They are small enough to sit on your counter or be placed under the sink or in a cabinet.

If you are interested in purchasing a countertop container, contact the Community Services Department.

The city said it will host two community workshops for residential customers to provide information and answer questions regarding the new program. The workshops will be held at the following dates and times via Zoom Communications:

• Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 2 p.m.
• Visit https://zoom.us/j/97314252838 or call 213-338-8477 to participate.
• Thursday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m.
• Visit https://zoom.us/j/91586508706 or call 213-338-8477 to participate.

The city has set up a webpage with organic recycling information and tips at www.claremontca.org/organicrecycling. If you have additional questions regarding the program, please email sanitation@ci.claremont.ca.us or contact the Community Services Department at 909-399-5431.