Composting: El Cajon vs Oceanside
How do composting rules compare between El Cajon, CA and Oceanside, CA?
El Cajon and Oceanside have similar restriction levels.
El Cajon, CA
San Diego County
California SB 1383 requires El Cajon residents and businesses to separate organic waste (food scraps, yard trimmings) from trash; EDCO provides curbside green-waste and food-scrap collection citywide.
View full El Cajon rules →Oceanside, CA
San Diego County
Under California SB 1383, Oceanside residents must subscribe to organic waste collection service and separate food scraps, yard waste, and food-soiled paper from trash; backyard composting is encouraged but does not exempt households from organics collection.
View full Oceanside rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | El Cajon | Oceanside |
|---|---|---|
| State Law | SB 1383 (2016) | SB 1383 (2016) |
| Effective | Jan 2022 enforcement | - |
| Hauler | EDCO Disposal | Waste Management |
| Items Accepted | All food + yard waste | - |
| Fines | $50-$250 residential | $50-$250 per violation |
| Enforcement | - | Active since 2022 |
| Diversion Goal | - | 75% by 2025 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
El Cajon FAQ
Does El Cajon allow backyard composting?
Yes. Backyard composting of yard waste and vegetable scraps is encouraged and protected under CA Civil Code §4735, but you still must maintain EDCO organics service per SB 1383.
Can meat and dairy go in my green cart?
Yes — EDCO's curbside organics program accepts meat, fish, bones, dairy, and cooked food that you should not put in backyard compost piles.
Oceanside FAQ
Can I opt out of green-bin service if I compost at home?
No. SB 1383 requires all residents to subscribe to organics collection even if you backyard-compost. You may reduce bin size but cannot cancel service.
What food scraps belong in the green bin?
All food scraps including meat, dairy, bones, bread, fruit, vegetables, coffee grounds, and food-soiled paper (napkins, pizza boxes) — items you cannot safely backyard-compost.
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