Multifamily Organics
Collection

Food Scraps Recycling Required for All Multifamily Complexes

As of Jan. 1, 2022, California’s Short-lived Climate Pollutant law (SB1383) requires multifamily complexes to separate food from the garbage. Keeping food out of landfills prevents methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that causes climate change. To learn more about the food scraps program and its impacts, visit the City of Sunnyvale FoodCycle page.

Please scroll down for more helpful resources about multifamily organics.

Food scraps
Items Accepted in Food Scraps Program
  • All food trimmings and plate scrapings, including meats and shellfish, eggs and dairy, fruits, vegetables and bakery items
  • Coffee filters and tea bags
  • Grease/Oil
  • Spoiled or freezer burned food from refrigerator cleanouts
  • Food must be placed in clear or compostable bags only, no black, white or other plastic bags
Not Acceptable Material
Items NOT Accepted in Food Scraps Program
  • No “compostable” foodware or containers
  • No glass, metal or plastic
  • No liquids (soups can be strained and the solids can go into the collection)
  • No white or black plastic bags
  • No paper or bathroom waste
  • No garbage, plastic gloves, foil wrappers, plastic straws or plastic stir-sticks
food-pail
Program Details

All multi-family complexes in Sunnyvale have food scraps recycling. Each unit should have a countertop pail to collect food scraps and outreach materials to explain the program. You can reuse produce, bread or other plastic bags (as long as they are clear) or even wrap the food scraps in newspaper. When your pail is full, place your scraps into the food scraps only cart, bin or chute in your complex.

Watch videos with Sunnyvale residents on the benefits of FoodCycle and how to make it a habit.
How food scraps are processed
How Food Scraps are Processed

Your food scraps are turned into:

  • Fertilizer amendment that keeps soil healthy
  • Electricity (energy production) through an anaerobic digester
  • FDA-approved animal feed ingredient for chicken, pigs and fish
Food Scraps Container Sizes
Food Collection Carts
Food Collection 1 Cubic Bins
Food Collection 2 Cubic Bins
Multifamily Organics Resources
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FoodCycle (What/How)

English • Spanish • Chinese

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Letter for Multifamily Property Managers

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FAQ for Multifamily Property Managers

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How to Recycle Yard Trimmings

English • Spanish • Chinese

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Food Scraps Sign

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Yard Trimmings Sign

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