Free kitchen caddies back in stock

Carlsbad residents who haven't picked up a free kitchen caddy yet can do so at two events this month. These small bins can be used to store leftover food scraps in the kitchen before placing in their green compost cart on collection day.

Where will kitchen caddies be available?
Republic Services will host two pick-up events:

• Friday, Sept. 16, 8 a.m. to noon, Poinsettia Park, 6600 Hidden Valley Road, Carlsbad, CA 92011
• Saturday, Sept. 24, 8 a.m. to noon, Cole Library, 1250 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Residents can also pick up a free kitchen caddy at the Palomar Transfer Station, 5960 El Camino Real, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Residents can contact Republic Services directly to learn more at 760-332-6464 or [email protected].

Organic waste composting
On July 1, Carlsbad residents and businesses began disposing of their food scraps, food-soiled paper and yard waste in their green compost cart. This "organic waste" is collected by Republic Services and composted at their Otay compost facility to create a nutrient-rich soil additive and mulch for public, private and city use.

How is a kitchen caddy used?
Simply scrape food scraps into the kitchen caddy when preparing or cleaning up after meals. The caddy can be stored under the sink, on the counter or in the fridge or freezer. Dump the contents into the green compost cart before collection day.

What goes in the kitchen caddy?
Any residential food waste, such as meat, fish, bones, eggshells, old bread, tea bags, coffee grounds, produce, leftovers, expired foods and soiled paper products. Plastic, plastic bags and plastic packaging (including compostable liners) cannot be placed in the green compost cart so they should not be placed in the kitchen caddy.

How to keep it clean
Keep pesky pests and odors away from your kitchen caddy or green compost cart by following simple tips.

• Wrap or layer your food scraps with food-soiled paper, such as napkins and paper towels, paper bags or newspaper to absorb moisture.
• Empty your caddy into your green cart daily, or consider freezing your scraps until collection day.
• Keep your caddy clean by regularly rinsing with warm, soapy water.

Why are Carlsbad residents being asked to sort food scraps?
Food scrap recycling is required by state law SB 1383. Food waste and other organic waste make up nearly half of everything currently sent to landfills. As organic waste decomposes, it produces methane gas, which is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide. SB 1383 establishes methane emissions reduction targets for California, including a target to reduce 75% of organic waste disposal by 2025.

More information
Republic Services website
[email protected], 760-332-6464
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle website

Staff contact
Jamie Wood, Environmental Management Director
[email protected], 442-339-7584

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