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Solid Waste and Recycling
Thank you for visiting the Solid Waste and Recycling Division, where we implement the City’s solid waste ordinance and manage programs to reduce waste. The solid waste and recycling programs are funded by user fees and state grants.
Reducing Organic Waste in Moorpark
California’s Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) requires organic waste recovery to reduce methane emissions from landfills. Residents and businesses play an important role by preventing waste, separating materials into the appropriate containers, and recovering surplus edible food.
Find collection information and requirements for your property:To learn more about how you can help reduce landfill waste, click the links below for information.
Why Keeping Organics Out of Landfills Matters
When organic materials decompose without oxygen in a landfill, they release methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. These emissions contribute to climate change, which affects public health and safety through extreme heat, poorer air quality, and other environmental impacts.
Preventing food waste, donating surplus edible food, and recycling food scraps and yard trimmings help reduce landfill methane emissions. Composting also produces a valuable soil amendment that can improve soil health and water retention.
Separate Materials into the Correct Containers
Residents and businesses must separate organic materials and recyclables from trash:
- Organics container: Food scraps, yard trimmings, and other materials accepted by the local organics collection program.
- Recycling container: Accepted paper, cardboard, bottles, cans, and other recyclable materials.
- Trash container: Materials that cannot be recovered through the available recycling or organics programs.
Follow container labels and the City’s service-specific sorting instructions, including requirements for preparing food scraps. Keep plastic packaging and other prohibited items out of organics, except for bags specifically allowed by the local collection program.
Visit the residential or commercial service page above for accepted materials, container instructions, and requirements that apply to your property.
Preventing Organic Waste
Reducing waste before it occurs saves money and resources.
- Plan meals, check food supplies before shopping, and purchase only what you need.
- Store food properly, use older items first, and freeze extra portions.
- Businesses can track discarded food, adjust purchasing and preparation, and train employees to prevent waste.
- Choose appropriately sized landscape plants to reduce pruning.
- Leave grass clippings on the lawn and use suitable leaves and trimmings as mulch.
Compost at Home or in the Community
Backyard composting and worm composting allow residents to recycle suitable organic materials on-site. Follow guidance for your composting system on accepted materials, moisture, airflow, and pest prevention.
Home composting resources: Home Composting
Community composting: Learn about Community Composting
Use your organics collection service for accepted materials that your home or community composting system cannot manage.
How Moorpark’s Organic Waste Is Recovered
WM collects organic materials through the City’s collection program. Collected materials are transported to the Simi Valley Landfill & Recycling Center. Organic material is ground up and processed for biofuel, mulch and landscaping materials. Following local sorting instructions helps prevent contamination and supports successful organic waste recovery.
Self-Hauling Solid Waste and Organic Materials
Residential and commercial customers may apply for a City self-haul exemption permit. City approval is required before beginning self-hauling.
For application information, contact solidwaste@moorparkca.gov.