Q: What is food waste?

• Food waste includes items that you scrape from your plate after you eat, such as uneaten fruits, vegetables, meat, bones, pizza, rice and pasta.
• Food waste includes items that you usually discard as you prepare meals, such as banana and orange peels, egg shells, and meat and vegetable trimmings. 
• Food waste includes food-soiled paper items, like pizza boxes and used paper plates, coffee filters and tea bags, and paper food wrappings for hamburgers or French fries.

Q: What happens to food waste?

A: Once your food waste is collected each week in your Organics Waste cart, it will be processed in an environmentally friendly way where it becomes compost, which is used to nurture the soil on farms and in home gardens to grow food and healthy plants.

Q: Why do we need to recycle food waste?

A: Food waste recycling is required by a new state law, Senate Bill 1383, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the effects of climate change by eliminating the disposal of organic wastes in landfills.

Q: Can I recycle food waste that's still packaged?

A: Only food waste can be placed in the green Organics Waste cart and not the packaging. Please remove all packaging, including plastic, glass, and metal—and recycle what you can in your blue Recycling cart. Reuse twist ties and rubber bands, but don’t put them in the green Organics Waste cart since they can contaminate the finished compost.

Q: Can parchment paper go in the organics?

A: Yes, parchment can go into the green organics waste cart.

Q: Can spoiled, raw meat go into the green organics waste cart?

A: Yes, spoiled raw meat, cooked meat, and bones from meat can go into the green organics waste cart.

Q: What about coffee pods?

A: If the coffee pods are not in plastic, then yes you can place them in the green organics waste cart. Coffee grounds and paper filters will go into the green organics cart.

Q: What about stickers on fruit?

A: The fruit itself is food waste, but not the sticker.

Q: Are there free kitchen pails available to residents?

A: Yes, during the month of June and in early July, kitchen pails will be delivered to your home, along with an informational booklet and a roll of 25 certified compostable bags.

Q: Can I line my kitchen pail with a bag to hold my food waste?

A: You may use paper bags or certified compostable bags in your kitchen pail, or no bags at all. Plastic bags are not allowed as they do not break down easily and are not friendly to the environment.

Q: I pay my renter’s trash bill for the house they’re renting from me. I am wondering if that rental house will have the pail delivered to them or will I receive it?  Both homes are in Rancho Cordova.

A: Both households will receive a pail; every household will receive a pail whether or not it is owner-occupied.

Q: If I don’t have any green waste, and very little food waste, should I still put my food waste in the green cart?

A: Yes, please collect your food waste and food-soiled paper in your kitchen pail and then discard what you collect in your green organics waste cart—no matter how much.

Q: Can you put the kitchen pail on the curb without the green waste can?

A: No, empty your kitchen pail into the green organics waste cart and then roll the green organics waste cart to the curb.

Q: Can I line my kitchen pail with a plastic bag?

A: No, plastic bags may not go in the green organics waste cart. You may line your kitchen pail with certified compostable bags, paper bags, or if you like, use no liner at all.

Q: What happens if a plastic bag or other contaminant makes it to the processing facility?

A: The processing facility does monitor for contaminants like plastic bags, but realistically cannot eliminate all of them. It’s best if residents educate themselves on what can and cannot go into the green organics waste cart, and plastics may not go in the green organics waste cart.

Q: Will we be able to obtain the compostable bags? And how much are they? Where would we purchase them?

A: You will be receiving a food waste recycling kitchen pail delivered to your doorstep. Inside of it is a roll of 25 certified compostable bags to get you started, as well as a coupon. These bags are now widely available at stores. You do not have to purchase compostable bags to comply with food waste recycling. You could use paper bags, or no bags at all.

Q: If we don’t have a green waste can, will we need to get one?

A: Contact Republic Services and provide them with your address. They will either provide you with a green organics waste cart, or let you know if your home is serviced in another way, such as a community green organics waste bin.

Q: Are we combining organics with green waste, or are we receiving a new bin?

A: You will empty the food waste from your kitchen pail into your existing green waste cart. Your green waste cart will now be your Organics Waste cart since it will include both green waste (grass and leaves) and food waste.

Q: Are the current green waste cans going to be picked up and replaced with the new organics can?

A: No new green waste carts will be delivered. Your green waste cart will now become your organics waste cart and will hold both green waste (grass/leaves) and food waste. If you do not have a green organics waste cart, please contact Republic Services.

Q: Can we get a replacement green waste can? There is a hole in ours, and we don't want to have added smells escape.

A: Yes, just call Republic Services to request a replacement cart.

Q: Do we put kitchen pail inside the green bin or on top of the bin?

A: You will empty the food waste from the pail into your green Organics Waste cart, as often as you like.

Q: You say "garbage cans,” but you also say "greenery can.” Which one do I use?

A: There are three types of solid waste carts used in the city: garbage cart, blue recycling cart, and the green organics cart. Food waste will go in your green organics cart, along with your green waste (leaves, grass, etc.).

Q: I have the big green trash can for branches and stuff. Would it behoove me to get the small one for food waste instead?

A: The city will provide you with a small kitchen pail you can use in your home to gather food waste. You can then empty the pail into your green organics waste cart. The green organics waste cart will be picked up by Republic Services weekly now.

Q: So every pick up day we’ll be putting out three bins when they’re full?

A: No, every week the garbage and green organics waste cart will be placed at the curb. Your blue recycling cart will still be picked up every other week. Please watch for the new Republic Services calendar coming to you in the mail since your recycling week may have changed. Or use our handy web tool to find out: cityofranchocordova.org/BlueRecycleChanges.

Q: I currently have two green yard waste containers. I’ve heard that we will have to pay extra for having more than one container, but I can’t find any printed or online information as to whether that is correct.

A: No, you will not pay extra for your green organics waste containers. Your Republic Services bill is based on what size your trash can is, not the number of green waste containers you have.

Q: I live in Gold River, so does food waste recycling apply to me too?

A: Food Waste Recycling is now required by California state law, so all residents in California will need to comply with SB 1383. Gold River is located in Sacramento County, so this program may run slightly differently. Contact the County of Sacramento for more information.

Q: I live in the County.  Does this process apply to county households too?

A: SB 1383 is a statewide law, so it does apply to the County. Please reach out to the County for details on their food waste recycling program.

Q: I’m concerned about odor coming from my green waste bin due to food waste recycling.

We have always discarded food waste into our garbage carts, and there can be odors. With food waste recycling, the food waste is still being discarded, but it is now being placed in your green organics waste cart. Some tips that could help with odors: Place your food waste in certified compostable bags or paper bags. You can also layer food waste between yard trimmings. And remember, your green organics waste cart will now be picked up weekly.

Q: Will this food waste create compost for gardening?

A: Yes! 3 cubic yards of free compost is available to Rancho Cordova residents per year at Republic Services Recovery and Transfer station located at 8642 Elder Creek Road. More information at CityofRanchoCordova.org/RanchoRecycles.

Q: Where is the compost made, and what happens to it afterwards?

Yard clippings and food scraps collected in Rancho Cordova are delivered to several permitted compost facilities around northern California. The materials are cleaned, chipped and placed in “windrows” where they naturally decompose. At the end of the process, the finished compost is ready for use on farms and in home gardens. 

Q: Can I still compost in my backyard?

A: Yes, you can still compost in your backyard. Any food waste or soiled-paper you don’t want in your compost bin can be recycled in your green organics waste cart.

Q: Will the food waste go to the landfill?

A: No, the food waste you’re recycling will be taken to a special facility where it will be processed without releasing methane into the air, and then it will be turned into compost that will be beneficially reused.

Q: Did we vote for this new food waste recycling law?

A: Senate Bill 1383 was passed by the California State Legislature.

Q: Will the extra vehicle emissions produced from the additional truck routes outweigh the benefits of the food waste recycling program? 

A: Shipping truck operations produce CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) gas emissions whereas the disposal of organic material in a landfill creates methane gas emissions. Methane gas is 84 times worse than CO2. By taking organic material out of the landfill and transporting it for beneficial reuse, we are reducing the amount of overall harmful emissions that go into our atmosphere. 

Q: What greenhouse gas are we trying to reduce through food waste recycling?

A: Food waste recycling aims to reduce the amount of methane that is released into the air as a result of food waste in landfills. Methane gas is a super pollutant, far more powerful than CO2 (carbon dioxide). When food waste is collected and recycled with green waste instead of with landfill waste, it is processed in a special way that prevents the methane from being released into the air. In some cases, the methane can be beneficially reused to generate electricity. The food waste itself is turned into compost, which is beneficially reused by farmers and in home gardens.

Q: Will my blue Recycling cart still be picked up every other week?

A: Yes, your blue recycling cart will continue to be picked up every other week.

General Collection Guidelines

• Place containers out by 6 AM and no earlier than 12 hours before your collection day.
• Lids must be closed.
• Leave at least 3 feet between containers and any other obstacles.
• When possible, residents in restricted parking zones should place containers on the curb and not in the street or gutter.
• Keep containers out of bike lanes whenever possible.
• Containers should be returned to the storage area on your property within 12 hours of collection.
• Storage locations must be within, adjacent to, or behind a structure, building, fence, landscaping or other barrier that substantially screens the containers from the street or public right-of-way.

Current Rates

Republic Services offers three sizes of containers, 32-gallon, 64-gallon, and 96-gallon.

The table below includes current monthly garbage rates.

Monthly Solid Waste Rates Effective July 1, 2024

Monthly rates include a monthly charge for the provision of street sweeping services and are based upon the size of the garbage cart and include all programs and services, including curbside recycling and green waste collection, the bulky item program, used oil and filter collection, etc. Republic Services bills customers on a bimonthly basis (every other month), so the actual bill will be double the amount shown above.

Residential customers may request one additional green waste or recycling cart at no additional charge by contacting Republic Services.

To exchange your garbage cart size or to request any additional information, contact Republic Services Residential Customer Service at 916.638.9000.

If you have questions regarding your service or starting new service, please call Republic Service’s customer service office at 916.638.9000. Please call customer service if any of the following apply:

• Moving
• Vacation hold
• Change of service
• Questions about recycling

2023-24 Customer Service Guide

Republic Services offers up to three free bulky item pickups per year. To schedule a pickup, please contact Republic Services Residential Customer Service at 916.638.9000.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) can be a danger to humans, pets and our environment. HHW is the leftover portion of household products that contain toxic chemicals, such as paint, cleaners and products with warning labels. These wastes cannot be disposed of in your regular garbage.

Locations

Residents can drop-off their HHW at any of these locations for free:

• Kiefer Landfill is located at 12701 Kiefer Boulevard, Sloughhouse, CA 95638. The landfill accepts antifreeze, batteries, oils and paints (ABOP). The drop-off center is located at 12701 Kiefer Boulevard, Sloughhouse, CA 95638. Click here to learn more or contact the facility at 916.875.5555.
• Sacramento Recycling and Transfer Station is located at 8491 Fruitridge Road, Sacramento, CA 95826. Visit the Kiefer Landfill webste to learn more or contact the facility at 916.737.4870
• Elk Grove Special Waste Collection Center is located at 9255 Disposal Lane, Elk Grove, CA 95624. Visit the Elk Grove Special Waste Collection Center to learn more or contact the facility at 916.627.3232
• Sacramento County HHW Facility is located at 4450 Roseville Road, North Highlands, CA 95660. Visit the Sacramento County HHW Facility website to learn more or contact the facility at 916.875.5555.

Street sweeping services are performed once a month by Contract Sweeping Services. Additional street sweeping will be provided in November and December each year. Please continue to place your green waste in your container--not in the street. Commercial streets will continue to be swept twice per month throughout the year. Click here for a Street Sweeping Schedule.

For more information, please contact Contract Sweeping Services at 408.498.4631 or contact the city's Public Works Department at 916.851.8710.

The current residential franchise agreement between the City of Rancho Cordova and Republic Services is located here (expires on 12/31/24).

Effective January 1, 2025, Atlas Disposal will assume residential collection services for the City. That franchise agreement is located here.