Zero Waste Resources for City Custodians
Help the City Avoid Contamination and Penalties with Proper Recycling Station Setup and Sorting
With consistent Recycling Station setups no one will be confused about what material goes into what container.
Know how to sort properly and what materials go into each container.
City facilities can be issued Notice of Violations and Citations that carry fines of up to $1000, if Compost or Recycling are contaminated.
Use the tabs below to get the training you need.
Questions: Contact your supervisor, or the Recycling Hotline at recycling@oaklandnet.com or call 510-238-SAVE(7283)
Sorting Video
Three-Sort Video
Recycling and Composting at Work – English
Recycling and Composting at Work – Spanish
Recycling and Composting at Work – Cantonese
Station Setup
City Facilities Recycling Station
Avoid Citations with Proper Sorting!

It’s important to be consistent with your setups so no one is confused about what material goes into what container. Always use the correct color container and lid for Compost (Green), Recycling (Blue) and Trash (Grey), with the label facing outward.
- Compostables go in the GREEN container with the GREEN top. Food scraps, food-soiled paper, compostable food containers, soiled cardboard, plant debris and untreated wood go in this container. Do not put non-compostable food containers, trash or recyclable material in this container.
- Recycling goes in the BLUE container with the BLUE top. Cans, bottles, clean plastic clamshell containers and mixed paper go in the same container. Cans, bottles and clamshells must be empty, clean and dry. Flatten clean dry cardboard and place next to container. Do not put compostables or trash in this container.
- Trash goes in the GREY container with the GREY top.
Dumpster Delivery
City Facilities Disposal
Put your collected materials in the correct disposal containers at your facility.

Compostables go in the Organics bin. Some facilities may have a GREEN wheeled cart instead. Waste Management is the City’s compostables collection service provider.

Recycling goes in the Recycle bin. Some facilities may have a GREY wheeled cart instead. California Waste Solutions is the City’s recycling collection service provider.

Trash goes in the Trash bin. Some facilities may have a BURGUNDY wheeled cart instead. Waste Management is the City’s Trash collection service provider.