Get Started With Compost and Recycling
Businesses are required to have containers and service of sufficient number, size and frequency for all recyclable and compostable materials generated. Learn more about the County requirements at My Recycling Rules as well as the State recycling requirements and State compost collection requirements.
COMPOST
Waste Management is the exclusive provider of compost collection services for Oakland businesses and institutions. Order compost collection service and request free technical assistance.
What goes into the Compost Bin?
Food Scraps, Food Soiled Paper, Yard Debris, Untreated Wood
Compost Collection Best Practices: Train Your Employees
1. Separate Compostable Materials – No glass, plastic, metal or trash in compost
2. Collect in Your Interior Containers – Line containers with clear plastic bags, paper bags, BPI certified compostable plastic bags or use no bag at all
3. Empty into Compost Cart for Pickup – Monitor to ensure ensure only compostable materials are included. Do not put in recyclables, nor trash such as rubber gloves, conventional plastic bags, etc.
4. Train your employees – Check out this helpful training video:
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KEEP OUT of the Compost Bin!
Do not place recyclables, trash, plastic bags (unless BPI certified compostable plastic bags), or hazardous waste into the compost bin/cart.
RECYCLE
If you are unable to find a recycling service provider, California Waste Solutions will provide recycling service to any business upon request at rates no higher than the Maximum Allowable Commercial Recycling Service Rates. Contact California Waste Solutions at 510-625-5263 or OaklandCS@calwaste.com.
What MUST be Recycled?
At a minimum, you must recycle all materials covered by the mandatory recycling law. These are: cardboard, newspaper, white paper, mixed recyclable paper, recyclable glass food and beverage containers, metal (aluminum and steel) food and beverage containers, PET (#1) and HDPE (#2) plastic bottles. (ACWMA Ord. 2012-01 and AB341)
Ask your recycling service provider what materials they collect. Specifics may vary slightly.
KEEP OUT of the Recycle Bin!
Do not place food scraps, plastic bags, textiles (cloth, rags, etc.), nonrecyclable or hazardous waste materials into the Recycle bin/cart. This includes polystyrene and foam packaging, paint, and light bulbs.
TRASH
What goes into the Trash Bin?
Non-Recyclable & Non-Hazardous Materials
KEEP OUT of the Trash Bin?
Do not place food scraps, recyclables or hazardous waste into the trash bin/cart. (ACWMA Ord. 2012-01)
HAZARDOUS
Household Hazardous and Toxic Waste
Hazardous waste such as batteries, light bulbs, cleaning fluids cannot go into the trash. Use Recycle Where or visit www.stopwaste.org for Business Hazardous Waste information.
CONTAMINATION AND OVERAGES
Recycle Right! Put the right material in the right container
Contamination is any material that doesn’t belong in the organics container.
What happens if contamination is found in your COMPOST container?
1 – 4 Incidents = a warning letter. Over 5 Incidents in a 12 month period = discontinuation of service.
If service is discontinued, your business may not comply with the ACWMA mandatory recycling ordinance.
Refer to your RECYCLING service provider for more information on their anti-contamination program.
Avoid Overage Charges
Materials must fit inside a container with the lid closed for regular service.
Eliminate excess materials by:
- Placing all recyclables into the recycling container.
- Placing all food scraps, food-soiled paper and other organics into the Compost container.
- Having enough bins or pickups to manage all the waste you generate.
- Making sure the containers work properly – call for repair if needed.
- Setting out bins just ahead of pickup when possible.
If you regularly have excess materials, we’re here to help you.
Call the Customer Service at (510) 613-8700 to help you right-size your service.
Trash / Compost Bin Overage Charge = $149.26 Per Yard
PLEASE CALL OR FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW TO SIGN UP FOR TRASH AND COMPOST SERVICE
Waste Management of Alameda County, Inc., 510-613-8710