UPDATE INFORMATION – 12/20/22: 

Letter to Residents Regarding Program Update

California adopted Senate Bill 1383 requiring all communities to reduce the disposal of organic waste in landfills by 75% by 2025. The new law also serves as a statewide effort to combat climate change by reducing emissions of short-lived climate pollutants. To achieve this mandate, the City is launching an Organics Waste Recycling Program for residential customers.

Effective January 1, 2023, all food waste is required to be placed directly into your existing green waste container. Organic waste is mainly comprised of food scraps and yard waste such as landscaping and pruning waste.

If you have any questions, please call the Public Works Department at (310) 781-6900.

Please note: information below is being updated – thank you for your patience!

This container is for the recycling of organic material which includes food waste, green waste and yard trimmings.

Material cannot protrude from the top of the containers more than 2 or 3 feet. Please wash interior of container with water periodically.

Accepted Materials

• Grass/leaves, leaves, garden trimmings, green plants and weeds
• Wood chips, sawdust
• Tree branches
• All fruits and vegetables (pits and shells too)
• Coffee grounds
• Dairy products (no liquids)
• Eggshells and eggs
• Leftovers and spoiled food
• Meat (including bones)
• Seafood (including shellfish)
• Greasy pizza boxes and paper bags
• Paper coffee filters, cups and plates
• Paper napkins, tissues and paper towels
• Paper take-out boxes and containers
• Paper milk and juice cartons (no foil liner)

Do Not Include

• Plastic bags — do not place green waste in plastic bags — put it directly in the container
• Metal such as nails
• Branches bigger than 4″ (inches) in diameter or 4′ (feet) in length
• Large ice plant clusters and palm fronds/branches
• Hot ashes or coals
• Hazardous materials
• Animal waste or any other refuse
• Treated wood, untreated wood or construction materials of any kind
• Liquids
• Flocked trees

Additional green waste containers are free upon request. For questions and additional information, please contact the Torrance Public Works Department at (310) 781-6900 or visit us at www.TorranceCA.gov.