VICTORVILLE – The City of Victorville, on July 8, announced that they would be offering free kitchen food scrap containers to residents in an effort to reduce landfill waste and promote composting.

The city says the containers are designed to help households manage organic waste efficiently. The containers make it convenient and easy to keep food scraps separate from trash. 

“Food scraps include any meal leftovers, fruit and vegetable peelings, eggshells, coffee grounds, meat, fish, poultry and bones, beans, bread, and more,” said the news release.

Organic waste recycling law

According to CalRecycle, the state is implementing statewide organic waste recycling and surplus food recovery in response to climate crisis.

SB 1383 mandates that residents and businesses recycle organic waste to reduce organic waste disposal 75% by 2025. 

In addition, the law requires a recovery of 20% of edible food for people to eat by 2025. 

Local governments are responsible for implementing collection programs, educating the public, and ensuring compliance, with enforcement starting in 2024.

CalRecycle provided a grant to Victorville for the kitchen food scrap containers program.

Pick up locations

The city says they will distribute containers to residents at the Concerts in the Park at Hook Park July 12 and 19. They are also available for pickup at the Victorville City Library during hours of operation. No appointment is necessary.

In addition, residents can pick up a container at the Code Compliance counter on the first floor of City Hall, Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

All food scraps must be bagged

The city says they want to remind residents they must bag all food scraps and tie them shut before placing the bag into the green organics cart. 

“Residents are encouraged to use any regular plastic bags for the collection of food scraps. Biodegradable bags are not necessary,” said the news release.

In addition, the city wants residents to empty any beverages or liquid foods into the kitchen drain and not into the kitchen food scrap container.

For more information about organic waste recycling, residents should call the Environmental Programs Division at (760) 955-8615 or visit VictorvilleCA.gov/Recycle.

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