Community Updates
Field Audits of Trash, Recycle, and Compost Containers Begin Nov 3, 2025
City of Oakland staff, consultants, and Climate Corps Fellows will conduct field audits of residents’ and business’ trash, compost, and recycle containers November 3-14, 2025.
Senate Bill 1383, the Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Act mandates that all CA cities conduct annual field audits. The field audits will occur in residential neighborhoods on trash collection days from 5:00am to 4pm, by visually inspecting the contents of residents’ trash, compost, and recycle carts or bins.
When auditors find misplaced items in residents’ carts, they will leave an “Oops!” tag explaining what items were wrongly placed and information on correct sorting. When they find material correctly sorted, they will leave a “Good Job!” tag.
Businesses and apartment buildings will be audited one day before their service day(s). They will receive follow up communication by phone or mail after the field audit.
About 2% of all trash, recycle, and compost containers in Oakland have been randomly selected for this audit. These field audits are being conducted in coordination with WM (Waste Management), California Waste Solutions, and Civicorps. This will be the City’s third SB 1383 audit. Staff have used findings from the audits to inform educational initiatives.
FAQs
Why is the City of Oakland looking in my carts/bins?
State law Senate Bill (SB) 1383 requires cities to conduct annual field audits to track how well residents and businesses sort their materials. SB 1383 also requires residents and businesses to put their compost, recycle, and trash into the correct carts or bins. When buried in landfills, compostable items such as food scraps, food soiled paper, and plant debris produce greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. For more information about local implementation of SB 1383 visit StopWaste.org/rules. Click here for complete details about how to sort your waste.
What will happen if I put something in the wrong cart at home?
If you put something in the wrong cart, auditors will leave an “Oops tag” explaining what items were wrongly placed in a specific cart or bin and information on correct sorting.
Note: Waste Management of Alameda County (WMAC), California Waste Solutions (CWS) or Civicorps do not have to service recycle or compost carts if they have items that do not belong. If your cart is not serviced due to contamination found by a driver, call your service provider. WMAC at (510) 613-8700 (csnorthbay@wm.com), or CWS at (510) 625-5263 (OaklandCS@calwaste.com).
Field Audit of Trash, Recycle, and Compost Containers Begins March 3, 2024
City of Oakland hired consultants, staff and Climate Core Fellows will conduct field audits of residents’ and business’ trash, compost and recycle containers March 3- March 15. Senate Bill 1383, the Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Act mandates that all CA
Field Audit of Trash, Recycle, and Compost Containers Begins Nov 6, 2023
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New Container Colors
Have you seen new dark gray trash carts on your block? The new trash cart color is dark gray for compliance with State Law Senate Bill (SB) 1383 which establishes unifying cart/bin colors statewide; blue for recycle, green for compost,
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Field Audit of Trash, Recycle, and Compost Containers Begins Nov 14, 2022
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Be a part of change in Oakland!
Click here for information on our third cohort starting November 15, 2022. In the Spring of 2022, Oakland Recycles launched the 100 Change Makers program. The goal is to identify change makers in Oakland who will educate our community about
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Spring cleaning and don’t have anymore space in your carts?
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