Municipal Composting
Compost and recyclable wood can be disposed of at any Sonoma County Refuse Disposal Site, but until further notice, retail sales of municipal compost and recycled wood is no longer available. SB-1383 is a California law that requires all residents and businesses to keep organic waste (like food scraps and yard trimmings) out of the trash to cut methane emissions, recover edible food, and turn organics into compost or biofuel. Learn how Sonoma County is meeting this law.
What Goes Where: Sonoma County Disposal Sites
| Material | Accepted at Most Disposal Sites? | Lower Cost than Garbage? | Accepted at Central Disposal Site (Petaluma) |
| Yard trimmings & food waste | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes | ❌ No |
| Recyclable wood (clean wood, wood waste) | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes | ❌ No |
| Wood pallets | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes | ❌ No |
| Garbage and Non-recyclables | ✔️ Yes | ❌ No | ✔️ Yes |
Compostable materials and recyclable wood cost less to drop off than garbage.
For locations and hours, see Waste Disposal Sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I still drop off compostable material locally?
A: Yes. Most County disposal sites accept yard debris and food scraps for a lower cost than garbage. Retail compost sales are no longer available. The Central Disposal Site in Petaluma currently does not accept compost, wood, or wood pallets.
Q: Is Sonoma Compost still operating?
A: No. Sonoma Compost Company closed on October 1, 2015. Yard debris, vegetative food waste, and recyclable wood from curbside green bins and disposal sites are now sent to composting facilities outside Sonoma County.
Q: What is SB 1383 - Organics Recycling Law?
A: It’s a California law requiring all residents and businesses to keep organic waste (like food scraps and yard trimmings) out of the trash. Organic waste in landfills creates methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. SB 1383 aims to cut methane emissions, recover edible food, and turn organics into compost or biofuel.
Q: Who does it affect?
A: Everyone in California—homes, apartments, and businesses. The law took effect January 2022 and includes enforcement and penalties.
Q: Why divert organics from the trash?
A: Organics in landfills produce methane, a greenhouse gas much stronger than carbon dioxide. Composting them reduces emissions and creates a soil additive that improves water retention, reduces fertilizer use, and helps prevent erosion.
Q: I compost at home. Am I compliant?
A: Yes—if your organics are not going into the trash.
Q: Do I need trash service?
A: No, but you must separate and take your organics and recyclables to a permitted facility, or recycle them on-site.
Q: How do I sign up for trash or green waste service?
A: Contact your local hauler:
- Recology: (800) 243-0291
- Sonoma Garbage: (707) 996-7555
Q: I have trash service but no green cart. How do I get one?
A: Haulers are phasing in green carts over the next two years due to supply shortages. Contact your hauler for details.
Q: What can I put in the green bin?
A: Yard trimmings, food scraps, soiled paper (pizza boxes, coffee filters, to-go containers), and plants. Sorting guides here.
Q: What belongs in the blue bin?
A: Recyclable plastics, cans, glass, clean paper, and cardboard.
Q: How much is service?
A: Rates vary. Check your hauler’s website for current prices.
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