Recently adopted State law requires businesses in Turlock that meet certain thresholds to separate organic material from garbage beginning April 1. Businesses, including commercial or public entities such as schools, hospitals, stores, restaurants, industrial businesses, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and others must recycle their organic waste based on the amount and type of waste the business produces on a weekly basis.

Organic waste includes the following material: food waste, green waste, landscape and pruning waste, nonhazardous wood waste, and food-soiled paper waste that is mixed in with food waste. These organic materials account for nearly one-third of the approximately 30 million tons of waste destined for California’s landfills each year.

To assist businesses with compliance, the City’s contracted waste hauler, Turlock Scavenger and Recycling Company, offers collection services for organic material. To sign up for service, businesses should call (209) 668-7274.

For more information on the new Mandatory Organics Recycling requirements, visit CalRecycle’s website at http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/recycle/commercial/organics/ or call the City of Turlock Municipal Services Department at (209) 668-5590. Brought to you by the City of Turlock Municipal Services Department.

CONSERVATION TIP #39

Compost or learn how: The materials that make up yard waste as well as certain food scraps can easily be made into compost. To learn how to build a compost bin and what materials you should include in your compost pile, visit http://compostguide.com/.