South Tahoe Refuse expands food waste drop-off program

Submitted by paula on Wed, 01/31/2024 - 9:54pm
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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Good news for all customers of South Tahoe Refuse (STR)! Starting February 1, the food waste drop-off program is moving to a new location to allow for expanded days and times. STR’s residential customers can now drop off their food waste for free Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Recycle Buy-Back Center located at 2192 Ruth Ave., South Lake Tahoe.

While the City of South Lake Tahoe and the STR service area in El Dorado County received high-elevation waivers for SB 1383’s mandatory curbside food waste collection, STR is working with its local jurisdiction partners to expand the convenience of the drop-off option to divert as much organic material as possible from the landfills.

There are also food waste recycling programs available for commercial businesses.

If organic waste sits in the landfill, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas, but if it is diverted it can be recycled and turned into compost. All of the food waste collected by STR is sent to Full Circle Compost in the Carson Valley.

Participating in this environmentally friendly program is simple and free for STR residential customers! Use your own container or stop by the STR Customer Service office at 2140 Ruth Ave. to pick up an STR bucket with a resealable lid to trap the odors. One free bucket per customer account.

Residents can separate their food scraps from meal prep and also throw in leftovers from the fridge or pantry items that they aren’t able to eat. Then bring your bucket to the Buy-Back Center on Ruth Ave., pull up through the driveway loop and STR staff will assist you as you dump your scraps into the green food waste dumpster.

Then go about your day knowing you did something great for the planet!

STR can accept food only – no “compostable” utensils or dishware, plastic, paper products, foil, or any other material besides food. Details can be found at: https://southtahoerefuse.com/resources/food-waste/.

Questions about food waste drop-off or any other recycling program? Contact them at organics@southtahoerefuse.com or 530-542-8336.