Food Scraps Recycling Program

Effective January 1, 2020, Waste Management and the City of Oceanside partnered together to launch the Food Scraps Recycling Program for all businesses in the City of Oceanside. 
 
 
In light of recent events with COVID-19 and state, local and CDC guidelines for social distancing, Waste Management will be delaying the delivery of the food scraps containers and the start of these new services until early Summer of 2020.

The Zero Waste outreach team has contacted businesses who have already confirmed their new food scraps services to let them know the deliveries will be rescheduled.

Waste Management (WM) will keep all commercial landfill and recycling services the same prior to the adjustments made for food scraps services, to ensure businesses have adequate services. Additionally, for some of the commercial customers who may have had their bills adjusted already due to the City’s advance billing system, WM and the City will reconcile any charges that may appear incorrectly and provide any applicable credits. 

Questions regarding the delay of the food scraps roll out or billing issues should be directed by email to oceansidefoodscraps@wm.com or by calling (760) 435-5457. For additional information or questions, please visit business.wm.com/oceanside, www.greenoceanside.org or contact the City of Oceanside Zero Waste team by calling (760) 435-4500 or emailing greenoceanside@oceansideca.org.

NEW - Utility Relief Program and Rightsizing Opportunities 

Let us help you right size your services during this time. Oceanside businesses facing cost impacts during the COVID-19 crisis can find information on the Utility Service Relief Program. 

Those who do not qualify for the Utility Relief Program can reach out to the City’s Zero Waste Technical Assistance team at GreenOceanside@oceansideca.org  to inquire on right sizing opportunities for their landfill and recycling services and find potential cost savings to mitigate COVID-19 impacts. 
 
The Food Scraps Recycling Program will recycle food waste, often referred to as organics, and food-soiled paper into its own bin - separate from landfill and landscape cuttings. The food scraps will be processed as renewable energy or reusable material.


All businesses are required to participate. The bins, technical assistance, and training are provided free of charge by Waste Management and the City of Oceanside. There is a new Food Scraps Recycling Program fee that is based on the amount and frequency of your food scrap recycling bin and is set at 75% of your landfill fee. This program will reduce the amount of material your business sends to the landfill, therefore your landfill fees may decrease.
 
There are many reasons for this program, including:
  • Forty percent of the material we send to landfills is food. Decomposing food creates methane gas. Landfills are the second largest source of methane generation in California.
  • State laws (AB 1826 and SB 1383) require landfill reduction of food scraps and materials by 50% in 2020 and 75% in 2025.
  • Supporting the City’s Climate Action Plan and Zero Waste Strategic Management Plan

Schedule
January through March 2020 – All businesses will receive a personal visit to receive information about the program, food rescue and recovery resources, and help to participate in the program.
Summer of 2020 – Delivery of new Food Scrap Recycling bins, and Waste Management begins collecting food scraps/organic materials in the bins. While supplies last, business will receive indoor containers and signage. In addition, staff training and education will be available to interested businesses. 

Next Steps
Each business will be visited by the Zero Waste Assistance Team to provide program education and service evaluations to help choose the right sized bin.  

Acceptable Bin Materials
Acceptable materials for the Food Scraps bin include meat, bones, dairy, bread, fruits, vegetables, peels, pits, cobs, coffee grounds, and food soiled paper (paper towels, napkins, paper cups, paper egg cartons and pizza boxes). Bagging these materials prior to putting into the Food Scraps Recycling bin is not necessary but if desired, clear plastic bags are required.

Waste Management will continue to collect and recycle commercial green waste and commingled recyclables (bottles, glass, cans, rigid plastics, aluminum cans, office paper and cardboard) separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click the following link to view frequently asked questions and answers. FAQ Commercial Food Scrap Recycling 

For More Information
The program is a partnership between Waste Management and the City of Oceanside and staff from both are available to answer questions.
Waste Management – Email: cssandiego@wm.com, Phone: (760) 439-2824
City of Oceanside – Email: oceansiderecycles@oceansideca.org,  Phone: (760) 435-4500