Composting and Food Scraps

Get a Container

  • Empty milk carton
  • Kitchen bowl
  • Countertop compost bin
  • Request a countertop compost bin. If you are in an apartment, check with your community management staff. They may have bins already.

Line your Container

  • To keep your container clean, line it with newspaper, a paper bag or use a compostable bag

Request a Free countertop Bin

Tip to Avoid Compost Smell

  • Put full bags in the fridge or freezer – especially for meat and fish or during hot weather.
  • Put compost in the green bin on pick-up day.
Colleting food scraps in Compost bin on counter while cooking

Collect Food Scraps

  • Food scraps, meat, dairy, bread, fruits, vegetables, coffee, teabags
  • Food soiled paper, paper towels
  • Paper food containers

Button See All Compostable Items

Removing a sticker from produce

Keep Compost Clean

  • Remove stickers, twist ties, and rubber bands
  • Plastic, glass, and metal should never go in the green cart
A compost bin stored under the sink

Store your Container Nearby

  • On the counter
  • Under the sink

Put your Food Scraps in the Green Cart 

  • Toss your food scraps in the green cart along with your yard waste and pizza boxes
  • Line the bottom of the green cart with newspaper or leaves to keep it clean

Why Compost

  • It is one of the easiest things you can do to combat global warming
  • It requires very little work and resources and creates useful new resources

Compost Rules

Did you know that separating your waste into compost, recycling, and garbage is the law?

City, County, and State laws require Fremont residents in all types of homes including houses, apartments, condos, and townhomes to subscribe to services and sort compostables, recycling, and garbage. 

Starting January 1, 2022 in California: 

All residents, businesses, and other generators of organic waste must subscribe to organics collection service and keep those items out of the trash.

Organic waste includes items such as food scraps, food-soiled paper like napkins, and plant trimmings. These items buried in the landfill emit greenhouse gases that trap too much of the sun’s heat on Earth causing global problems such as extreme weather, drought, crop failure, and habitat destruction. 

In addition, certain businesses and other large organizations must donate unused edible food to food recovery organizations such as food banks, pantries, and faith-based organizations. 

For more information, visit the State’s Senate Bill 1383 website at calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/slcp

Worm Composting

  • Make your own compost in a small space
  • Add food scraps like fruit and vegetable trimmings, tea bags, coffee and filters (no meat, grains or dairy products)
  • A pound of red worms can eat 65 pounds of food scraps in less than three months!
  • Find out more about worm composting

Backyard Composting