City’s Organics Recycling Program Collects Nearly 92,000 Tons of Waste

The Pasadena City Council is scheduled to hear an informational presentation on Monday, September 30, detailing the City’s progress in implementing its Residential Organics Recycling Program.

The initiative, launched in response to California’s SB1383 law, aims to reduce organic waste disposal by 50% by 2020 and 75% by 2025, meeting state-mandated recycling targets.

“Beginning January 1, 2022 State required mandatory recycling program implementation,” the Public Works Department report said, highlighting the urgency of the City’s efforts to comply with state regulations. The report also notes that mandatory local enforcement began on January 1, 2024.

Pasadena’s program focuses on diverting organic waste from landfills, including food waste, yard trimmings, green material, landscape & pruning, lumber, manure, and sludge. Residents are instructed to bag food waste, including fruits, vegetables, dairy products, bread, meat, and seafood, and place it in their yard waste containers.

The City said it has already recorded notable success, with 91,504 tons of yard waste composted between January 1, 2020, and August 30, 2024, and 463 tons of food waste diverted between January 1, 2022, and August 30, 2024.

To support the program, Pasadena has secured state grants totaling over $568,000 for education, outreach, and infrastructure.

The City has also established eight community composting hubs in local parks, including McDonald Park, Villa Parke, and Brookside Park. These hubs, which accept only vegetative food waste (no dairy or meat), have engaged 230 members and composted 7,523 pounds of food waste.

Enforcement measures are being implemented to ensure compliance. The Public Works Department will conduct route reviews in the next 90 days, with California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery planning onsite cart contamination reviews within 16 months.

Public education efforts include virtual workshops, utility bill inserts, and a marketing campaign dubbed “Wrap your scraps.”

The City is also distributing organic recycling pails to residents with City refuse service at community events.