Top Composting & Food Waste in Placentia, California Ranked

For restaurant owners and food service operators in Placentia, managing organic waste is no longer just an environmental consideration-it's a state-mandated requirement. California's SB 1383 regulations have transformed food scrap diversion from a best practice into a legal obligation for businesses generating organic material. This means establishing a robust system for food waste recycling is essential for compliance, operational efficiency, and community sustainability. Navigating these new rules involves understanding container requirements, partnering with the designated hauler, and implementing effective staff and customer education programs to avoid contamination. This guide outlines the key steps and local specifics for Placentia businesses to successfully manage their organic waste stream.

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

Royal Pumping and Jetting

los angeles

Royal Pumping and Jetting provides a comprehensive range of pumping and jetting services for restaurants and hospitality businesses in Los Angeles, CA. Their offerings include grease trap and interceptor cleaning, waste kitchen oil removal, hydro jetting, grease trap repair, high-pressure washing, and complete plumbing services. The company has been serving Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Bernardino since 2008, with a team of certified experts skilled in handling various pump and blast operations. They also offer 24/7 availability to meet urgent service needs.

5.0

3 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: Mandatory Organic Waste Diversion

California's Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCP) reduction law, Senate Bill 1383, sets ambitious targets to reduce statewide organic waste disposal by 75% by 2025. For Placentia businesses, this translates into mandatory participation in organic recycling programs. The law requires all commercial entities, including restaurants, grocery stores, and food processors, that generate a specified amount of waste to separate food scraps and other compostable materials from their trash ^{1 2}.

Who Must Comply? The mandate applies to businesses that generate:

• Four cubic yards or more of commercial solid waste per week.
• Or ten gallons or more of organic waste (food scraps, food-soiled paper, yard waste) per week ^{3 4}.

Given these thresholds, virtually all restaurants and food service establishments in Placentia are covered. The required actions are clear: subscribe to an organic waste collection service, provide appropriate containers for employees and customers, and ensure materials are properly sorted to prevent contamination ^{5 6}.

Your Local Hauler: Republic Services

In Placentia, the City has contracted with Republic Services for all commercial solid waste, recycling, and organics collection. This means your business must work directly with Republic Services to set up or adjust your service to include organic waste pickup. They are your primary point of contact for scheduling, container delivery, and service questions related to food scrap collection ^{7 3}.

Service Frequency and Setup Collection frequency for organic waste is typically weekly but can vary based on your business's volume and needs. To establish service, you should contact Republic Services through the City of Placentia's official waste management portal or visit the City's Trash, Recycling, and Organics webpage for direct contact information and resources. It is crucial to confirm your specific pickup schedule and ensure your containers are accessible on collection day ⁷.

The Three-Stream System: Container Colors and Placement

Compliance requires setting up a consistent three-bin system for separating waste. Republic Services provides containers in standardized colors to help streamline the process across the city ⁸.

• Green Containers (Organics): For all food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard waste.
• Blue Containers (Recycling): For clean, dry recyclables like cans, bottles, cardboard, and paper.
• Gray or Black Containers (Trash/Landfill): For everything else that cannot be composted or recycled.

Container Requirements for Your Business: The rules specify container needs for both back-of-house and customer-facing areas:

1. Internal Employee Areas: You must provide labeled containers for organic waste and recycling wherever employees dispose of materials, such as in kitchens, prep areas, and break rooms. Existing functional bins can be used until 2036 if they are properly labeled for organics and recycling ^{1 9}.
2. Public-Facing Areas: For your customers, you must place organic and recycling containers adjacent to all trash bins in areas accessible to the public, such as dining rooms, patios, and take-out counters. The goal is to make diversion as easy as throwing something away. The only exception is for restrooms, where only a trash bin is required ^{1 5}.

Proper placement-visible, accessible, and next to the trash-is key to encouraging proper sorting by patrons and staff alike.

What Goes In the Green Organics Bin?

Knowing what materials are accepted is critical to reducing contamination, which can spoil entire loads of compostable material and lead to compliance issues.

YES - Put These In (Loose or in Certified Compostable Bags):

• All food scraps: Fruits, vegetables, meat, bones, seafood, dairy, eggs, bread, and coffee grounds.
• Food-soiled paper: Napkins, paper towels, paper plates, pizza boxes, coffee filters, and uncoated paper food containers.
• Yard waste: Leaves, grass clippings, and small branches ^{1 8 10}.

NO - Keep These Out:

• Plastic bags (even if labeled "biodegradable" - only certified compostable bags are allowed).
• Traditional recyclables like plastic bottles, aluminum cans, glass, and clean paper/cardboard (these go in the blue bin).
• Trash such as wrappers, utensils, straws, and any non-compostable packaging.
• Hazardous waste, liquids, or pet waste ^{2 10}.

Contamination Enforcement: The City and its hauler monitor for contamination. Businesses found with prohibited items in their organic or recycling bins may receive notices and could face escalating penalties for repeated non-compliance. Education is your first and best defense ¹.

Costs and Rate Structures

Implementing a food waste recycling program involves service fees, which are determined by the size and number of containers you need, as well as collection frequency. Rates are not flat and vary based on your business's specific waste profile.

As an example, the City of Placentia's published solid waste rates list a monthly base rate for a 64-gallon Organics container (including fuel and environmental fees) in the range of approximately $58 to $60. This is typically in addition to fees for your trash and recycling containers. Costs increase for larger container sizes (e.g., 96-gallon or cubic yard dumpsters) and for more frequent pickups ⁷.

Getting Accurate Pricing: To obtain the exact costs for your restaurant, you must contact Republic Services directly. You can also review the current "Solid Waste Rates" page on the City of Placentia's official website for a detailed fee schedule to help inform your budgeting and service planning ⁷.

Building a Successful Food Waste Reduction Program

Beyond mere compliance, effective organic waste management can streamline operations and reduce overall waste costs. Here are steps to build a successful program:

1. Conduct a Waste Audit: Identify what and how much you are throwing away to right-size your service.
2. Order the Right Containers: Work with Republic Services to get the appropriately sized and colored bins for both interior and exterior use.
3. Train Your Team: Hold training sessions for all staff. Use clear signage (available from the City or hauler) above bins. Make sure everyone knows what goes where, especially the "NO plastic bags" rule for organics.
4. Engage Your Customers: Use simple, clear signage at public bins. Consider a brief note on menus about your sustainability efforts.
5. Monitor and Adjust: Regularly check bins for contamination and provide refresher training. Adjust container sizes or pickup frequency if your waste stream changes.

By taking these proactive steps, Placentia restaurants can not only meet their regulatory requirements but also contribute significantly to California's climate goals, reducing methane emissions from landfills and turning food waste into a valuable resource like compost or renewable energy.

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