Clean Material is the Key to Success In The Organics Program!

Contamination is the number one problem in organics recycling programs. It is time consuming and very costly to remove contamination from food waste and green waste programs. It is best to prevent contamination before it happens!

The best way to support your organics programs is  to know what can be composted and what to keep out of your organics containers.

Accepted in the Commercial Food Waste Program

All food is accepted, including fruit and vegetables, solid dairy products, eggs and shells, meat, fish, bones, pasta, beans, rice, bread and cereal, coffee grounds, seeds, nuts, and shells.  Plate scrapings should also be diverted--just make sure to remove and discard non-compostable items like straws, plastic butter and jam packets, plastic utensils, in the trash. See below for a printable flier of what can go in the food waste program.

What can go into your food waste barrel or bin?

Things NOT Accepted in the Food Waste Program

Food grease or oil, liquids like milk or broth, very large bones, trash, plastic bags or plastic of any kind, napkins, straws, foil, stirrers, condiment packages, or any kind of trash etc.

"Compostable" items like compostable bags, serving ware, and utensils are NOT accepted at the present time.

Accepted in the Commercial Green Waste Program

The green waste program will accept all grass clippings, rose prunings, shrub trimmings, tree branches (cut to 4 ft. or less), weeds, garden trimmings, leaves, hay or straw, wood chips, and flowers.

What can go into your green waste barrel or bin?

Things NOT Accepted in the Green Waste Program

Green Waste/yard trimmings can not contain any litter, trash, papers, plastic bags, flower pots, or like items mixed in. Remove dead plants from plastic pots before putting plants in green waste bin.  In addition, we do not accept cactus, palm fronds and palm tree trunks in the green waste program as they take too long to break down in the composting process.  When raking up garden trimmings, make sure to remove litter and other trash before putting garden trimmings in the green bin. 

Do not put dirt, rocks, or concrete in the green waste/garden trimming bin.  Small amounts of dirt/soil attached to plant roots is ok.   

Organics Must Be Free of Non-Organic Materials

Organic materials collected from Victorville businesses, schools, multifamily properties, and homes are delivered to a composting facility in Victorville. There, food waste is mixed with yard waste and processed to become compost, a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Compost is used by farmers and for landscaping and garden projects.  

Receiving organics free of contamination allows local composters to consistently produce clean nutrient rich compost that people, farmers, and landscapers want to use. 

Compost that contains plastic, glass, and other contaminates has very few uses.

What happens if my food waste or garden trimming barrel or bin is contaminated with trash?

Contamination may require the driver to skip servicing your container so the entire load does not get contaminated.  Skipping servicing your barrel or bin due to contamination will require you or your staff to remove the contamination before next service. Or your container may be serviced as trash for an additional charge.  Call 760-955-5087 for help getting your container serviced as trash. Contamination must be removed before service can resume. 

Need Help?

If you need educational materials or need help training your staff on what and how to recycle, please call the City of Victorville Recycling Program at 760-955-8615.  Free materials and training is available.   

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