Backyard composting is allowed and encouraged in unincorporated Ventura County. Under SB 1383, the County requires residents and businesses to participate in organic-waste recycling, with curbside organics collection in unincorporated areas effective January 1, 2022. Free compost and mulch are available to residents.
Home composting is permitted and encouraged for unincorporated Ventura County residents, who can turn kitchen scraps and yard trimmings into a soil amendment for their gardens. At the same time, California's Senate Bill (SB) 1383 mandates organic-waste diversion to cut methane, and the County implements it through Public Works (Watershed Protection / Integrated Waste Management). Ventura County Ordinance No. 4590, approved December 7, 2021, regulates solid-waste collection and recycling in the unincorporated areas to carry out these state requirements. Curbside organics collection for unincorporated residents became effective January 1, 2022, covering food scraps, yard/green waste, non-hazardous wood waste, and food-soiled paper. Athens Services and E.J. Harrison & Sons provide collection in unincorporated areas, and residents may request free indoor kitchen food-scrap pails as well as free compost and mulch. Commercial generators, including multifamily complexes with five or more units, must arrange organic-waste collection unless they qualify for a waiver or register as self-haulers. Backyard composting is promoted as a way to reduce waste, but the County's published SB 1383 materials do not treat home composting as a blanket exemption from the mandatory collection service. Residents who compost at home should keep their organics cart available for materials they cannot compost themselves and follow Public Works guidance.
SB 1383 organic-waste requirements are enforced under Ventura County Ordinance No. 4590; businesses and residents that fail to subscribe to or properly use organics collection can face enforcement. Backyard composting itself is encouraged and not penalized when done properly.
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