Food Waste Reduction and Composting Tips

Prevent Edible Food Waste

The average family of four throws away $1,600 worth of food annually. Visit StopFoodWaste.org for food saving tips and tricks, tools and resources, and easy ideas to repurpose leftovers or compost scraps. Making these small shifts in your lifestyle will save you money and keep the valuable resources used to produce and distribute food from going to waste.

Here are thing to try for reducing edible food waste:

Shop mindfully

  • Create a shopping list based on how many meals you will eat at home before your next shopping trip
  • Avoid marketing gimmicks that encourage you to buy more than you need

Prep now, eat later 

  • Prepare perishables soon after shopping for easy use
  • Freeze food that you know you won't be able to eat in time

Eat what you buy

  • Make a list of what needs to be used up and plan upcoming meals around it
  • Use an "Eat This First" sign to designate food that's likely to spoil soon

Keep produce fresh

  • Use this storage guide to maximize the longevity of produce
  • Use storage bags or containers designed to help extend the life of your produce

Compost Tips

Did you know that properly sorting food scraps and food-soiled paper into your green compost bin helps fight climate change? It's also now the law. 

All food products, uncoated food-soiled paper, plant waste and untreated wood can be composted in your green curbside compost cart.

Here are some helpful tips for composting:

Keep compost clean

  • Remove stickers, twist ties, and rubber bands from produce.
  • Plastic, glass, and metal do not belong in the green bin.

Collect your food scraps

  • Use a paper bag, newspaper liner, or kitchen pail to collect food scraps.
  • Residents can contact Amador Valley Industries at 925-479-9545 for a free kitchen pail. 

Store your food scraps in a convenient place

  • On the counter, under the sink, or in the fridge or freezer until collection day.

Put your food scraps in the green compost cart for weekly pickup

  • Toss your compostable paper bag of food scraps into the green cart
  • Empty food scraps from your collection pail or bowl into the green cart.
  • Line the bottom of your green cart with newspapers or yard trimmings to keep it clean. 


StopWaste-RESource-sidebar-block Opens in new windowCheck out StopWaste's RE:Source guide for nearby reuse, repair, recycling and safe disposal options.