City of Santa Cruz Residential Curbside Food Scrap Collection Program
Did you know that 40% of food in the US is wasted and the average American household throws out 25% of the food they purchase?
Santa Cruz County is making it a priority to reduce this waste and is expanding the Commercial Food Scrap Collection program. The City has begun Curbside Food Waste Collection from Single Family and Multi Family Residences by supplying residents with a new food scrap bin.
Here are some tips for collecting food scraps from your home:
- Keep food scraps indoors in a cool place.
- If you have room, try freezing or refrigerating food scraps until disposal.
- Wait until the night before or the morning of your service day to place food scraps in your cart.
- Clean your food scraps container regularly.
Food Scraps YES
- fruits
- vegetables
- dairy products
- grains
- bread
- coffee grounds
- eggshells
- cooked meats and bones
Food Scraps NO
- plastics
- raw meats
- glass
- metals
- compostable and non-compostable utensils
- condiment packets
- grease
- liquids
- coffee pods
- tea bags
- plastic wrap
- plastic bags
- foil
Once you’ve collected your food scraps, your 6 gallon bin can be left out with your organics and recycling bins for weekly pick up.
Please click here to watch a brief information video.