Green Waste Disposal in Riverside County, California: From Curbside to Compost

Riverside County's Department of Waste Resources (DWR) manages a comprehensive green waste program turning yard trimmings into valuable compost.

Collection Pathways

Curbside Collection (Most Residents)

• Container: Green-lidded cart (96 gal standard) — provided by hauler
• Frequency: Weekly (most areas) — same day as trash/recycling
• Accepted: Grass, leaves, branches (<4 ft, <4" diameter), flowers, weeds, garden trimmings
• Prohibited: Palm fronds (fibrous), yucca, cactus, soil, rocks, plastic bags, treated wood, pet waste, food scraps (separate organics program rolling out)

Drop-Off Facilities (Self-Haul)

• Locations: 6+ county-operated sites (Badlands, Blythe, Edom Hill, Lamb Canyon, Mead Valley, Mecca)
• Hours: Vary — typically Tue-Sat 7 AM-4 PM; check rcwaste.org
• Fees: Free for county residents (ID + proof of address); commercial = per ton
• Accepts: Larger volumes, oversized branches, palm/agave (separate pile)

Processing: From Waste to Resource

1. Grinding: Tub grinders reduce to 2-4" particles
2. Windrow composting: Rows turned, monitored (temp 131-170°F, moisture 40-60%)
3. Pathogen kill: 15+ days >131°F (PFRP — Process to Further Reduce Pathogens)
4. Curing: 30-60 days stabilization
5. Screening: 3/8" or 1/4" — removes contaminants, sizes product

Compost Products & Availability

• RivCo Compost: Bulk (cubic yard) and bagged (1.5 cu ft)
• Purchase locations: DWR facilities, select nurseries, landscape suppliers
• Price: ~$15-25/cu yd bulk; $5-8/bag — subsidized for residents
• Quality: US Composting Council STA certified — weed-free, pathogen-free

Uses

• Soil amendment: 2-3" tilled into beds — improves structure, water retention, microbial life
• Mulch: 3-4" top-dress — suppresses weeds, moderates temperature
• Turf topdressing: 1/4" after aeration
• Agriculture: Row crops, vineyards, orchards — reduces synthetic fertilizer

City Variations

Riverside County has 28 cities — some contract own haulers (Burrtec, CR&R, Waste Management). Check your city's website for exact schedule, container, accepted materials. Unincorporated areas = DWR direct.

SB 1383 Compliance

California's organics law (effective 2022) mandates food scraps + green waste diversion. Riverside County rolling out co-collection (green cart = yard + food) — phased by city. Reduces landfill methane (super-pollutant).

Green waste isn't trash in Riverside County — it's a circular resource. Use the green cart, buy the compost, close the loop.