Beginning January 1, 2022 residents can add accepted food scraps to their green curbside cart! Residents in multifamily residences can participate in food scrap collection too. Ask your property manager about the new collection – where the cart will be and when they will have it on site.

Food scrap collection is part of the implementation of California’s legislation (SB 1383) addressing climate pollutants and wasted food.

What food scraps are accepted in the green cart?

All unpackaged food scraps are accepted with the exception of raw meat, oil and liquids. This includes the inedible parts of food, food scraps, spoiled food and trimmings from food preparation. Please remove all packaging, including paper, plastic, glass, and metal and recycle what you can. Reuse the twist ties and the rubber bands, but please don’t put them in the green cart. They can contaminate the end product, compost.

As always, grass clipping, flowers, and vegetation clippings continue to be accepted in the green cart.

More information and answers to frequently asked questions are available at https://www.mrwmd.org/composting/faqs/

Edible Food Recovery Programs

Edible food recovery programs reduce food waste as well as help food insecure families. You can donate edible food to the following organizations:

• Monterey County Food Bank
  353 W. Rossi Street in Salinas, CA
  https://foodbankformontereycounty.org/
• Salvation Army
  800 Scott Street in Sand City, CA
  https://montereypeninsula.salvationarmy.org/monterey_peninsula_corps/cure-hunger/
• Thomas Carman Food Pantry
  425 Carmel Avenue in Marina, CA
  (non-perishables only)
  https://www.thomascarmenfoodpantry.org/
• Meals on Wheels
  700 Jewell Avenue in Pacific Grove, CA
  https://www.mowmp.org/

Please refer to the organizations’ websites or contact them directly for more information on accepted donations and any specified collection days. 

What recyclables are accepted in the blue cart?

Confused about what goes into your blue cart, green cart, or the trash? Download the What Goes Where app on the Apple Store or Google Play. It works throughout Monterey County. You can also go to http://whatgoeswhere.info/

Download the Recycling Quick Guide for a rapid reference on what can be placed in your blue bin.

Additional Regional Recycling Resources

More regional recycling services are available through the Monterey Regional Waste Management District (MRWMD) that operates the Monterey Peninsula landfill in Marina.  Programs include: 

• Last Chance Mercantile
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program
• Electronics Recycling, and Bulky Items Recycling
• Green Waste and Food Scraps Composting Resources

Household Hazardous Waste Information

It is illegal to dispose of hazardous waste in the trash, storm drains, or sewer. Hazardous and other prohibited materials can be dropped off at the MRWMD Household Hazardous Waste Facility, from residents and small businesses (CESQGs).

This brochure provides details on hazardous materials accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility:

Household Hazardous Waste Brochure

GreenWaste Recovery Franchise Agreement

The current Franchise Agreement between the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea and GreenWaste Recovery can be found in the attachment below. It includes Amendment No. 1 and Resolution 2023-064.

GWR Carmel Franchise Agreement, Amendment 1, Resolution 2023-064