Top Composting & Food Waste in Glendora, California Ranked

For restaurants and food service businesses in Glendora, managing organic waste is no longer just an environmental choice-it's a legal requirement. California's SB 1383 mandates that all businesses, including every restaurant, participate in a structured organic waste recycling program to dramatically reduce landfill-bound food scraps and compostable materials. The City of Glendora has partnered with Athens Services to provide the necessary collection, making compliance a streamlined, though mandatory, part of operations. Implementing an effective system not only avoids potential penalties but can also streamline back-of-house operations, reduce trash volume, and contribute to the state's climate goals by turning food waste into beneficial compost.

Griffith Park Composting Facility

5400 Griffith Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Griffith Park Composting Facility provides food waste composting services primarily for restaurants in Glendale, CA. The facility specializes in processing organic waste to support sustainable waste management practices in the area.

4.5

38 Reviews

TAWA compost green waste food recycling

4002 Drysdale Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90032

TAWA Compost Green Waste Food Recycling is based in Los Angeles, CA, providing food waste and composting services primarily for restaurants and commercial clients. They offer drop-off options for commercial food waste, green waste, and residential waste, as well as onsite waste management and emergency food waste pickup available 24/7. Founded during the COVID-19 pandemic, TAWA Compost began as a food rescue initiative to address food insecurity and now focuses on turning inedible food into nutrient-rich compost. They also conduct workshops to educate the community on reducing waste and maximizing resources.

5.0

7 Reviews

CR & R Inc

12739 Lakeland Rd, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670

CR & R Inc provides food waste and composting services for restaurants in La Mirada, CA. The company focuses on sustainable solid waste and recycling solutions, operating advanced materials processing centers and using alternative fuel vehicles to reduce environmental impact. With over three decades of experience, CR & R Inc has developed a state-of-the-art anaerobic digester to process organic waste and produce renewable natural gas, supporting cleaner air and greener practices in the region.

3.1

14 Reviews

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Understanding SB 1383 and Glendora's Mandate

The cornerstone of food scrap recycling in Glendora is Senate Bill 1383, a statewide law aimed at reducing short-lived climate pollutants by diverting organic waste from landfills ¹. When organic material like food scraps decomposes in a landfill, it generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas. This law requires every jurisdiction in California, including Glendora, to provide organic waste collection services to all residents and businesses ². For restaurant owners, this translates to a non-negotiable obligation to separate food waste, food-soiled paper, and other compostables from your regular trash and recycling streams. The city enforces this through its contract with its exclusive waste hauler, Athens Services, who provides the bins, collection, and processing needed for compliance ^{3 4}.

Setting Up Your Commercial Organics Recycling Service

The first step to compliance is establishing service with Athens Services. As Glendora's designated provider, they will work with you to assess your establishment's needs.

• Service Assessment: Contact Athens Services directly for a consultation. They will evaluate your weekly volume of organic waste, recyclables, and landfill trash to recommend appropriate container sizes and collection frequency ³.
• Container Provision: You will be provided with standardized, color-coded bins. The city mandates specific colors: green bins for organics, blue bins for recyclables, and gray bins for landfill trash ⁵. Available sizes range from 64-gallon carts for smaller operations to large 6-yard bins or compactors for high-volume establishments ³.
• Cost Structure: The cost for organic waste recycling is a mandatory business expense and varies based on the level of service required-specifically, the size of your containers and how often they are collected ⁴. You must contact Athens Services for a direct quote tailored to your restaurant's specific waste profile.

The Three-Stream System: Sorting for Success

Proper sorting at the source is critical to avoid contamination and potential fees. Glendora requires a clear three-stream separation system throughout your facility.

Green Bin (Organics/Compostables):

• Food Scraps: All leftover food, including meat, bones, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and bread.
• Food-Soiled Paper: Napkins, paper towels, pizza boxes, coffee filters, and uncoated paper plates.
• Yard Waste: If your property generates landscaping trimmings ^{5 6}.

Blue Bin (Recyclables):

• Clean cardboard, paper, plastic bottles & containers, glass bottles & jars, and aluminum/tin cans.

Gray Bin (Landfill Trash):

• Any material that cannot go into the green or blue bins, such as plastic wrap, Styrofoam, and non-recyclable plastics.

Avoiding Contamination and Penalties

Contamination-placing the wrong item in a green or blue bin-is a significant issue that can ruin entire loads of compost or recycling. Athens Services and the city monitor for contamination, which can lead to rejection of service, educational notices, or financial penalties ⁵. Key contamination culprits to avoid in your green organics bin include:

• Plastic bags (unless they are certified compostable and approved by the city).
• Styrofoam of any kind.
• Liquids and cooking oils.
• Glass, metal, or plastic packaging.

To prevent this, never use standard plastic bags as liners for food scrap collection. Instead, use approved compostable bags, empty scraps directly into the bin, or use a layer of soiled paper to line containers.

Staff Training and Customer Education

A successful organics diversion program hinges on consistent participation from every team member. The city's regulations emphasize the importance of education ⁵.

• Annual Training: Implement annual training sessions for all employees, including kitchen, service, and cleaning staff. Training should cover what goes in each bin and why it matters.
• Onboarding: Include waste sorting protocols in the onboarding process for all new hires.
• Clear Signage: Place clear, simple signage above or on every waste station, using pictures and multiple languages if needed. The signage should reinforce the color system: Green for Food & Yard Waste.
• Customer-Facing Bins: In dining areas, provide properly labeled and colored bins (green and gray, at minimum) so customers can participate. Pairing bins together ("Please sort your waste") increases proper disposal.

Edible Food Recovery: Going Beyond Composting

SB 1383 also includes a major edible food recovery component aimed at addressing food insecurity. If your restaurant is a "Tier One" or "Tier Two" generator (typically larger food service providers, supermarkets, or wholesale food vendors), you are required to donate the maximum amount of edible food that you would otherwise discard to a food recovery organization ⁷. This means establishing a relationship with a local food bank or recovery service to schedule pick-ups of surplus, unserved food. Even if not formally required, partnering with a local charity for food donation is a powerful way to reduce waste and support the Glendora community.

Best Practices for Restaurant Kitchen Workflow

Integrating organics sorting into a busy kitchen requires thoughtful workflow adjustments.

1. Source Separation: Place small, dedicated collection containers (like a small green bin or a durable pail) at every key prep and dishwashing station. This makes it easy for staff to scrape plates and discard trimmings directly into the correct stream.
2. Central Collection Point: Designate a central, back-of-house location for larger green carts where the smaller containers can be emptied throughout the shift.
3. Maintenance: Assign a staff member to monitor the central bins for contamination at the end of each shift or day. Ensure exterior bins are securely lidded to prevent pests.

The Benefits of Full Compliance

While mandated, a well-run organic waste and food scrap recycling program offers tangible benefits:

• Reduced Trash Costs: Diverting heavy, wet organics can reduce the volume and weight of your landfill trash, potentially lowering disposal costs for that stream.
• Environmental Leadership: Demonstrates a commitment to sustainability that resonates with customers and staff.
• Regulatory Safety: Ensures your business avoids violations, fines, and non-compliance notices.
• Community Contribution: Supports California's climate initiatives and, through food donation, directly aids local residents.

Taking proactive steps to master your restaurant's food waste recycling is an essential aspect of responsible business management in Glendora today.

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