For more information about the City's refuse programs (trash, recycling, organics, hazardous waste collection, bulky-item pick-ups, etc.) please click here to visit the Public Works Department.

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On July 7, 2015, after completing the Proposition 218 process, the Manhattan Beach City Council approved a solid waste fee increase and a contract amendment with Waste Management to offer a permanent food waste recycling program to the community. The new permanent food waste program is based on the successful commercial and residential pilot program in the City which began in July 2012. This program is available to ALL residents and businesses in the City, and all are encouraged to participate.  Participating reduces the amount of waste that Manhattan Beach sends to the landfill, and contributes to the creation of renewable energy in the South Bay.

Here is a copy of the Proposition 218 letter that was sent to all rate payers (PDF) on May 21, 2015.  The program was introduced with a one time rate increase (3% for residents, 3.6% for commercial businesses) built into the trash rate.  After the one time increase, it is now part of a customer's base services included with the trash rate.

*Updates as of July 1, 2020*

Residential Food Waste Program:

With the new Waste Management contract effective July 1, 2020, the residential program is now an ORGANICS recycling program!  This means that yard waste, food waste and soiled paper can all go loosely into the green cart - UNBAGGED and MIXED TOGETHER! No plastic or biodegradable bags of any kind are allowed in the green cart beginning July 1, 2020.

It's easy!  Place YARD WASTE, FOOD WASTE and SOILED PAPER in the curbside green Organics cart!  No need to bag anything, just mix it all in. 

Tip: Worried about odor?  If you don't want food waste to be loosely tossed in the Organics cart, fold it inside some newspaper or put in a paper bag and place on top or inside some green waste that's already in the container (soiled-paper is accepted). 

ACCEPTED YARD WASTE:  Grass clippings, leaves, pruning, branches (3” diameter or smaller), brush, garden trimmings and unpainted/untreated wood

ACCEPTED FOOD WASTE:  All food scraps including fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese, eggshells, coffee grounds, small bones, bread, pasta, rice and tea bags

ACCEPTED SOILED PAPER WASTE:  Food-soiled paper including napkins, paper towels, coffee filters, paper plates, greasy pizza boxes and greasy paper bags

NOT ACCEPTED:  Do not place yucca, iceplant, rock, dirt, palm fronds, pet waste/feces, cat litter, dirt, rocks, concrete, logs or stumps, waxed, coated paper such as coated paper plates, coated paper cups or paper takeout containers, liquid, glass, metal, or plastic of ANY kind, including biodegradable/compostable plastic, construction material of any kind in the green Organics cart. For additional FREE green organics cart(s) call Waste Management directly at (310) 830-7100.

Commercial Food Waste Program:

For commercial customers, Waste Management will conduct a site visit and setup a custom collection system best suited for the individual business.  Please contact Waste Management Customer Service at (310) 830-7100 to request a food waste program site visit.  This program will provide compliance for any business required to participate under AB 1826.  Click here for more information about AB 1826.

 The City wishes to thank the businesses currently participating in the Food Waste Recycling Program and encourage all businesses in the city to sign up.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

WHEN DID THIS PROGRAM BEGIN?
A pilot program began in 2012 as a requirement of the 2011 - 2020 Waste Management contract. 

The citywide permanent residential program began on September 1, 2015.  Kitchen pails were distributed to residents between September 14 - 25, 2015 to help them transition to saving food scraps in a container other than the trash can. 

The citywide permanent commercial program began on August 1, 2015.  Because the commercial program is established based on the businesses needs, interested participants should contact Waste Management Customer Service at (310) 830-7100 or email to request a food waste program site visit.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE FOOD WASTE?
RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM:
The organic material (yard, food and soiled paper) are collected at the curb and taken to Waste Management's Carson Transfer Station to be weighed.  Waste Management will then combine Manhattan Beach's organic material with others in a larger transportation container and deliver the organic material to Waste Management's South Valley Compost Facility in Tulare, CA. The fully permitted composting facility will then compost the organic material.

COMMERCIAL PROGRAM:
Since the commercial program accepts food only (landscape recycling is a separate service), the food waste is collected at the business and direct hauled to Waste Management’s CORe food waste recycling facility in Orange, CA.  The CORe technology converts food waste into an Engineered Bioslurry (EBS).  The Engineered Bioslurry is used to generate energy at the Los Angeles County Sanitation District facility in Carson, CA.

DO I HAVE TO PARTICIPATE IN ORGANIC WASTE COLLECTION? 
The program is not subscription-based, which means every customer is paying for the program as a part of their trash rate.  As with other curbside programs such as recycling bulky-item pick-up, At Your Door hazardous waste pick-up, etc., residents can choose not to participate even though the program is included as part of the base rate. 

All commercial businesses should determine if they are required to participate under the State of CA mandate AB 1826.  Contact Waste Management at (310) 830-7100 to schedule a site visit to determine requirement or to set up this service. 

WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE A (GREEN) ORGANIC WASTER CART?
Residents can acquire 35, 65, or 95 gallon (green) organic waste cart(s) at no additional charge by contacting Waste Management customer service at (310) 830-7100. 

Commercial businesses can acquire 35 gallon food waste cart(s) at no additional charge by contacting Waste Management customer service at (310) 830-7100.

I LIVE IN THE SAND SECTION AND I CANNOT ACCOMODATE A (GREEN) ORGANICS WASTE CART. WHAT CAN I DO TO PARTICIPATE?
Residents who do not have the space for a green organics cart can pair up with a neighbor who already has a (green) organics cart or has the space to acquire an organics cart. We’ve heard from residents who are recycling their organic waste together!

If you have any questions about your residential organics or commercial food waste recycling containers, or how to participate in the program, please email Waste Management or call customer service at (310) 830-7100.