Food Scraps Program Tips
Tips for a successful food scraps program in your home.
THE HANDY KITCHEN PAIL:
-Use it to collect food scraps in your kitchen. When full, empty the pail into your Green Organics Cart. (Do NOT leave pail at the curb for collection).
-Line your food scraps pail with newspaper or a paper bag before filling it with food scraps. Paper absorbs moisture and odor, plus it’s compostable! Click here for instructions on how to make a food pail liner.
-When empty, wash it with warm soapy water in the sink.
GREEN ORGANICS CART TIPS:
-Layer/cover food waste with yard waste.
-Freeze or refrigerate wrapped food scraps before placing them in the cart.
-Keep the lid closed.
-Put the cart out weekly for service (even if it isn’t full).
-When the cart is empty, rinse it out over a landscaped area using only water.
REMEMBER: PLEASE AVOID USING PLASTIC BAGS! THANK YOU!
AVOID WASTING FOOD.
Californians throw away nearly 6 million tons of food scraps or food waste each year. Everyone has a role in saving resources and wasting less food. Rather than throwing away excess food, find ways to manage it more thoughtfully.
UNDERSTANDING FOOD PRODUCT DATE LABELS:
For a PDF file of this information, click here.
“Best if Used By/Before”
Indicates when a product will be of best flavor/quality. Not a purchase/safety date.
“Sell-By”
Tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. Not a safety date.
“Use-By”
Last date recommended for use of the product while at peak quality. Not a safety date except when used on infant formula.
Regardless of the date, consumers should always evaluate the quality of food prior to its consumption.
For more information, visit: USDA
BE FOOD-WISE
Before discarding food, try these tips* to extend the life of your food and reduce food waste!
Wilted Food – Soaking in ice water for 5 to 10 minutes may reinvigorate wilted veggies.
Stale Food – Toast stale chips and crackers for a minute or two in a regular or toaster oven to crisp them.
Salty Food – Add vinegar, lemon juice, or brown sugar—or dilute a soup or sauce with water, crushed tomatoes or unsalted broth.
*Waste Free Kitchen Handbook, Dana Gunders, 2015. http://www.danagunders.com
For a printable version of this information in English, please click here.
To view this information in another language, please use the translate feature in the upper left corner.