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Feeding Binny the Right Stuff

Twice a year we do some lid flipping – checking to see what residents are putting in their carts and what is not getting into the right cart. Many people are trying hard and doing a good job, but there are things that could be better:

Why Compost?

California state law (SB 1383) requires that everyone – residents, businesses and schools – keep compostable waste out of our landfills. Keeping food scraps, food-soiled paper and cardboard, and plant trimmings out of landfills prevents the production of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.

When you feed the right stuff to Binny the Green Organics Cart, you are helping to save space in the landfill and fight climate change.

What’s the Best Way to Feed Binny?

Food scraps (Raw, Cooked and Rotten!), food soiled paper, and yard trimmings go in Binny, the Green Organics Cart. When the right stuff goes in Binny, rich, fertile compost gets made.

Here’s how to make the most out of your green organics cart routine:

• First off, please, no “compostable” plastic. Green plastic bags labeled “compostable” are NOT compostable in Livermore. Any food scraps in those plastic bags gets sent to landfill…what a waste!
• Instead of buying those plastic green bags, line your kitchen pail with paper towel or a paper bag.
• Sometimes we see some very scary food waste, with big portions of edible food tossed in the green organics cart! Throwing way good food is like throwing away money; see StopWaste.org for tips on reducing food waste.
• Separate food scraps into the kitchen pail and put the plastic packaging in the Garbage.
• Keep mess to a minimum: empty your kitchen pail into Binny every day, as needed.
• Still a little stinky? Keep a container with food scraps in the freezer until it’s ready to be emptied into Binny!

Thanks, Livermore! Keep up the good work!