Tulare County SB-1383 Green Organics Cart Rollout

Affected Areas - Alpaugh, Allensworth, Earlimart, Pixley, Teviston, and Tipton 

Why Is My Service Changing? Do I Have To Get A Green Organics Cart? 

SB -1383 went into law in 2016. The regulations of this law went into effect in 2020. This is a state law that focuses on Green House Gas Emissions (GHG) and is regulated by Cal Recycle, a division of CALEPA. The focus of this law is Organics. Organics is your food waste and yard waste which is why this law has mandated a 3-Cart system (Trash, Recycling, and Organic Services).  This law mandates diversion amongst waste.

*Please visit the Cal Recycle website for more information on SB1383 at https://calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/slcp/

You can also visit Tulare Co Website at: www.tularecounty.ca.gov/solidWaste/

Why Is The Rate Going Up For All Tulare County Customers – Even Those Who Already Have The 3-Cart System?

Tulare County proposed and approved the rate increase on December 17, 2024 for County customers to effectively be in compliance with the mandated requirements of state law SB - 1383. Residential new rates will take effect April 1, 2025 for the Residential 3-Cart system (trash, recycling, and organics). All 3 - Carts will be serviced one time per week. Commerical new rates will take effect May 1,2025.

How Do I Know What Goes In My New Green Organics Cart?

1) Your new cart will have a label on it that shows what can and cannot go in the green organics cart. 

2) You can download the American Refuse/Tule Trash app and use the “Waste Wizard” to find out "what goes where?” Click here to download with Google Play or Apple Store. You can also visit www.tuletrash.com homepage and view the calender and waste wizard. 

3) Upon receiving your new cart, you will also receive a trifold brochure showing "what goes where". 

 Download Our App! 

1) Never miss your service day. You can request a reminder for the night before or morning of. This is also helpful during holidays when service days could be moved. The app will automatically update for you! 

2) You can search items with our "Waste Wizard" to find out "What Goes Where"?

Click here to download with Google Play or Apple Store 

Why Do My Cart/s Need To Be Three (3) - Feet Apart? Six (6) - Feet From Vehicles? 

To service your cart/s the collection truck has a side arm with a gripper that extends to grab the cart/s. The gripper needs to be able to get around and between your carts to grab them to provide service. We would prefer the cart/s be 6 feet away from any personal property such as: vehicles, boats, rv, mailbox, fence, wall, etc., so we can safely collect items from your cart/s.

How Do I Place My Carts If I Don't Have Curb and Gutter? 

We ask that you please place them in a matter that does not obstruct traffic and is not in the public right of way.

Commerical Customers:  We ask that you please place them in a matter that does not obstruct traffic and is not in the public right of way. Please place all bins and cart/s in the same area with proper spacing. 

How Do I Know When My Service Day Will Be?

You will be notified as your new services start. For residential customers, please note that all 3 carts will be picked up on the same day. Please note that our trucks do look alike, but 3 (three) different trucks will service your cart/s. If you find one cart/s that has not been serviced yet, please leave it out for service until end of day.

For commerical customers, please note that your organics and blue recycling bins or cart/s will be picked up on the same day. Trash will be a seperate day. You recieved a schedule in the mail. If you still need assistance, you can download our app, look at our webiste (add address into specified field), or call our office. Please note that our trucks do look alike, but 3 (three) different trucks will service your cart/s. If you find one cart/s that has not been serviced yet, please leave it out for service until end of day.

Can I Get More Cart/s Or Other Refuse Services (Commercial Bins & Roll-Offs)?

Yes, to learn about our available services and rates, please call (559) 757-1045 or visit our office in Pixley, CA  11850 Hwy 99
Open Monday- Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed for lunch 12:00 p.m.- 1:00 p.m.)

 How Do I Pay My Bill?

Residenial Billing will remain the same - Tule Trash Co. will continue to bill residential customers quarterly (every 3 months) for service.

Commerical Billing will remain the same - Tule Trash Co. will continue to bill commerical customers monthly for service.

Accepted payment methods: credit/debit card (autopay available), check, money order, and cash. Please note, cash is accepted in-office ONLY.

How Do I Get My FREE Countertop Food Waste Pail?

Please stop by the Tule Trash Co. office 

Location: 11850 Hwy 99, Pixley, CA. 

Phone: (559) 757-1045

Hours: Monday- Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed for lunch 12:00 p.m.- 1:00 p.m.)

** Limit one per household. While supplies last**     

How Do I Use My New Countertop Food Pail? 

We have found the best way to add your food waste to your organics cart is to make sure your grass, yard trimmings, newspaper, or other food soiled paper products (such as napkins or paper towels) are put into your organics cart before you add your food waste. This method helps with the absorption of any liquids that can be present in food. 

We also suggest when using your food waste pail to add a paper napkin or paper towel to the bottom of the pail before adding your food waste. This ensures absorption of liquids and helps when dumping items into your larger organics cart for collection. 

**PLEASE DO NOT PUT YOUR FOOD WASTE PAIL ON TOP OF YOUR GREEN ORGANICS CART FOR COLLECTION. YOU NEED TO EMPTY THE CONTENTS OF YOUR KITCHEN FOOD WASTE PAIL INTO THE GREEN ORGANICS CART FOR COLLECTION. **

 I Have A Damaged/Stolen Cart?

Please call Tule Trash Co. at (559) 757-1045 to report any damaged or missing cart/s. 

What Is The Sizing Of My New Cart?

Easy To Open Lids With Handles 

Can I Still Take My CRV To A Buyback Center?

Yes, you can still take your CRV to buy back centers. Please note all the other items that can be recycled in your blue container besides just CRV. Glass, junk mail, tin cans (washed), newspapers, cardboard, and more! You can use our Waste Wizard located on the homepage and available in our app.

What Is A Benefit Of Having My Own Organics (Green) Waste Cart?

One benefit is complying with State Law SB 1383, where organics (yard waste) and food scraps need to be diverted out of the trash containers and put into an organics containers. In addition, residents can find ease in the ability to move their carts within their yard while doing yard work.

Is My Residential Rate For Each One Of The Carts Or All Three (3) - Carts?

Your rate is for ALL three (3) carts. Your new service includes one (1) black trash cart, one (1) blue recycling cart, and one (1) green organics cart. All 3 carts will be serviced once a week. 

Can I Spray Paint My Address on My Cart/s?

No, we would prefer you not spray paint your address on your cart/s. In the event you do, we will most likely remove it from the cart/s.  Each cart has a serial number that is assigned to your account/address. If it is lost or stolen, we will do our best to locate it. Most of the time, lost carts are a result of a neighbor accidentally bringing in the wrong cart. 

Did They Forget To Pick Up One Of My Cart/s?

If you believe your cart/s may have been missed, please contact the Tule Trash Co. office at (559) 757-1045. We recommend notifying our office within a day or two of your pick up day, so we can investigate further and offer you the best service options.

Please note that our trucks do look alike, but 3 (three) different trucks may service your cart/s. If you find your cart/s has not been serviced yet, please leave it out for service until the end of the day. It is recommended that you place carts out the night before service or by 5 a.m. on the day of service

Can I Leave My Cart/s On The Sidewalk, Curb/Gutter, Or On The Street Past My Service Day?

We recommend that you return your cart/s to the side of your house or gate or out of the "public right of way". You may place your cart/s out the night before or by 5 a.m. on your day of service. After your cart/s have been serviced, please return them to the designated spot. 

HELPFUL TIPS 

Plastic Bags- these belong in the trash not the blue recycling and not in the organics. (examples are grocery bags and plastic food bags)

Food Waste- Please do not bag your food in a plastic bag. Food waste needs to be in a biodegradable bag or "bio" bag or can be dumped in the organics can by itself. Please remove food from the packaging. This contaminates the load and it could be rejected from the facility. A plastic grocery bag cannot be used for food waste in the organics cart. Plastic bags need to go in the trash. 

Plastic Film- What is it? Grocery bags, trash bags, container packaging (example is plastic over a cardboard container that holds sports drinks). Plastic clam shells (example are containers for fruit or take out containers) These go in the trash not in the blue recycling.

Cooking Ware – Example is aluminum bakeware. Please put these in the trash if they still contain food. By leaving food it contaminantes the other recyclables in your blue recycling cart. These do not go in the organics container.

Polystyrene packaging- Example non-compostable packing peanuts and large packing foam. These items need to go in the trash not the recycling.

Commerical Customers: If you think you might have an “exemption” to SB 1383. Please contact Tulare County staff for a jurisdictional sign off. (Tule Trash Co. can no longer grant exemptions due to the new state law.)