Get a Container

• 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 BPI compostable bag. Please no plastic bags!

Collect Food Scraps

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

All Compostable Items

Keep Compost Clean

• Remove stickers, twist ties, and rubber bands
• Plastic, glass, and metal never goes in the compost

Store your Container Nearby

• On the counter
• Under the sink

Put Your Food Scraps in the Green Bin

• 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
• Look for the BPI certification on compost bags

Collect 2 Bags of Free Compost

Every spring, each household is entitled to collect 2 bags of compost, created from kitchen scraps and yard trimmings. Simply present your Republic Services bill to claim yours.

Compost Giveaway Day

Tips

• Handle odors the same way you would handle trash odors, empty your pail more frequently
• Put full bags in the fridge or freezer – especially for meat and fish or during hot weather

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.

As of January 1, 2022 in California:

All residents, businesses, and other generators of organic waste must subscribe to green waste 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.

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!
• More information about worm composting

Backyard Composting

• If you have more space in your yard and want to make your own compost, a bin or series of bins may be just what you need
• More information about backyard composting