Residents are required to dispose of their material in the correct bin based on city guidelines (organics, trash, and recycling). After education and compliance notices, a fine can be issued if there is contamination in the bins, for example, trash in a green bin or organic waste in the trash. The City of Folsom will provide educational information to help households to comply with program requirements prior to enforcement.

Starting in January 2022, the city will offer service for commercial businesses. In July 2022, residents including apartments, can start using their current green bin for organics recycling. Some apartment buildings may begin sooner as pilots.

In addition to landscape material (yard trimmings, leaves, wood scraps, grass), all food scraps and food-soiled paper (paper towels and napkins) must be disposed in a compostable bag and placed in the green bin. Diapers and pet waste cannot be added in the green bins. Commercial businesses can also include other food-soiled papers, while residents can only add uncoated papers, such as napkins, paper towels, coffee filters, tea bags, and toothpicks.

All residents and businesses are required to have a green organics bin to separate food scraps from garbage in 2022. Food scraps, food-soiled napkins, and yard trimmings will be placed in the green bin and all approved recycled material in the blue bin. Contact City of Folsom Waste and Recycling to order your bin: businesses beginning January 2022; residents can begin adding food waste in green bins July 1, 2022.

In September 2016, Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) was signed by Governor Brown to establish methane emissions reduction targets and mandates that 50% of all organic material be diverted from landfills by 2020, 75% by 2025 and also includes a target that 20% edible food being thrown away is rescued by 2025. Methane emissions resulting from the decomposition of organic waste in landfills are a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions contributing to air pollution and global climate change.

Yes, if you have an extra green or blue can that was previously included in your monthly rate you will be charged additional fees beginning in July 2022. Contact City of Folsom Waste and Recycling to pick up extra bins or schedule online.

There are many different containers to separate organic waste in the kitchen, for example, countertop pails, pedal trash cans, gallon buckets, three-bin systems (trash, recycle, organics) or old Tupperware.

Organics bins will be stored at the same location as recycling and garbage bins at the home.

Households with severe medical conditions may request an exemption. Exemption requests must be made in writing and include supporting documentation.

Green organics bins will be picked up weekly with the garbage once the program launches. Recycle bins will continue to be picked up every other week.

Please review our rates page.

No. The additional cost of weekly (vs. the current bi-weekly) collection is one of the primary drivers of the rate increase. The city will incur that cost regardless of whether or not an individual household sets the can out. Most households have some items, such as meat, bones, dairy or prepared foods that would not be placed in a backyard compost bin, but will also not be allowed in the grey garbage can. These items will need to be bagged in compostable bags and placed in the green organics can.

Residents without a green waste container will be given one when the program launches. Residents without a blue recycle bin will also receive a blue bin.

Residents that currently have a green waste bin can begin combining yard waste and food scraps in the same bin starting in July 2022. Residents who do not yet have a green bin will receive one, making for a total of three (trash, recycling, and organics).

Apartments are not exempt from recycling food waste.

No, each resident can determine how they will separate their own waste and will supply their own preferred compostable bag. The City of Folsom may provide residents with kitchen pails upon request, however not everyone wants a countertop pail.

Organics recycling rates for non-residential (commercial and apartments) are available on our website for City of Folsom hauling, or contact the approved hauler Atlas Disposal to review rates.

Bins will be located where they can be easily accessed by the haulers and tenants. Containers will be as small as a 65-gallon can which does not require much space. Properties with severely limited space will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the hauler to determine the most accessible bin location.

Apartments are required to provide an adequate number to bins for all residents. Each enclosure should have an organics container available.

Yes, a city representative will go onsite to educate staff on proper waste separation and assist businesses on starting the program. Non-compliance with the program can result in fines. Employee handouts and information is available on the city website.

Businesses or groups of businesses sharing an account cannot be individually exempted. Food service establishments will not qualify for exemptions. Individual businesses that produce less than 20 gallons of organic waste can go online to fill out an exemption form. You will be required to provide evidence by doing a food waste audit and providing the director with the photos of the result. The directions on how to conduct a food waste audit are located online.

Yes, in 2022 you can. Contact us via email or phone to add service.

Yes, organics must be separated inside the business and placed in the proper bin outside. The outdoor organics bin is generally a 65-gallon can. It is separate from the garbage and recycle bins. Inside your business, provide an organics specific bin for food scraps, food-soiled paper, and paper towels, alongside a recycle bin and a trash bin wherever these various waste streams are generated.

All businesses are required to have one recycle bin, one garbage bin, and one organics bin (food scraps and yard waste). Organics is a combination of food scraps and green waste. Organic waste is generated during employee lunches, events, and paper towels from handwash stations. To comply, our approved hauler Atlas Disposal can set up service or the City of Folsom will begin providing it. You can contact Atlas at 916-455-2800.