Commercial Food Waste Services
Food Waste Diversion Requirements
Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling
Organic waste makes up over 30% of the waste California sends to landfills, and contributes about 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions. California state law (Assembly Bill 1826) and the Town of Truckee’s Municipal Code Section 6.01.070 require businesses generating more than 2 cubic yards (about 400 gallons) of waste each week to separate food waste from trash.
Businesses can meet these requirements by subscribing to hauler-provided food scraps services or self-hauling food waste to a facility that can process these materials for recycling as compost, mulch, or another type of recovered organic waste product. Click on the tabs above to learn more about these options.
All businesses subject to these requirements must:
- Ensure that food waste is separated from trash by placing them in a separate container.
- Provide food waste collection containers that are accessible to employees, tenants, and customers wherever trash containers are provided. Containers shall have a green body or lid and/or have signage that indicates the primary materials accepted and prohibited in that container. Sample signage is provided below.
- Provide training to employees and tenants at least annually on their requirements to properly sort food waste, which materials are accepted in a food waste container, and where these containers are located.
- Periodically inspect food waste collection containers for contamination, and provide additional employee training if needed.
Large commercial organic waste generators with materials besides food scraps, such as landscape debris or spent grain, should contact Town of Truckee staff at Recycle@TownOfTruckee.gov for assistance in certifying compliance.
Exemptions
Businesses may qualify for an exemption from some or all of these requirements if they generate less than 1/2 cubic yard (about 100 gallons) per week of food waste or lack adequate space for food waste collection containers. To apply for an exemption from food waste collection requirements, download and complete the Mandatory Recycling and Organics Collection Waiver application below.
We can help!
Contact the Town’s staff at Recycle@TownOfTruckee.gov to schedule a staff training session or request additional complimentary resources like indoor collection containers.
Signage and Resources
Food Waste Services
Commercial food waste service is available through the Town’s franchised hauler, Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal (TTSD). TTSD hauls food waste from commercial subscribers to Full Circle Composting Facility in Carson City. TTSD services food-waste carts and dumpsters up to three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
To set up food scraps service, call TTSD at 530-583-7800
Container swap out: TTSD offers free container swap outs every 6 months to provide a clean container. Call TTSD to schedule at (530) 583-7800.
How to participate:
- Separate out your food waste in your business and place materials directly into the food waste cart or dumpster. NO BAGS!
- For cart participants: place your cart curbside, or in your predesignated collection site, by 6am on your collection day(s). The cart must be 3 ft. apart from other objects.
- After service, remove the cart from the street. Carts cannot be left in town right-of-way.
Video Guide to Opening Wildlife-Resistant Carts:
LID MUST LOCK to keep wildlife out!
Self-Haul
Businesses may also comply with mandatory organics recycling requirements by self-hauling food waste to a facility that can process these materials for compost or other type of organics recycling. State regulations and Town of Truckee Municipal Code Section 6.01.070 requires businesses that choose to self-haul to:
- Source-separate all food waste materials.
- Haul recyclable materials to a facility such as Eastern Regional Landfill Material Recovery Facility that processes or recovers source-separated food waste.
- Maintain records of the amount of food waste delivered to each facility, which may be subject to inspection by the Town. These records shall include the following information:
- Delivery receipts and weight tickets from the facility accepting the food waste
- The amount of material in cubic yards or tons transported by the business to the facility.
Businesses using self-haul to comply with mandatory food waste diversion requirements must complete and submit the Certification of Commercial Organics Recycling Form below.