Changes have come to our trash, recycling, and food and yard waste collection service. The City Council passed an ordinance that requires Palm Springs Disposal Services to give organic waste collection carts to all residents to comply with a state law, SB1383. The purpose is to reduce landfill waste by promoting composting.
Two representatives of PSDS attended our August HOA board meeting to explain the changes and answer questions. They said all residents automatically will receive a 65-gallon medium-sized green cart in September, and they should begin using it for food waste starting Oct. 3, 2022. (The family-sized default trash carts are 96 gallons.) Green carts already are used around the city for yard waste, including palm fronds, leaves, weeds, twigs and small branches. The food waste can be placed in single use, multi-use or compostable bags. Paper bags are OK but clear liners are best.
All food scraps, except for raw meat or poultry, should go into the green carts starting in October. Food-soiled paper, such as pizza boxes, go into the regular trash carts (the brown bins that are gradually being replaced with gray carts) for now but can start going into the organic carts on Oct. 3.
Although our waste disposal has centralized billing through the HOA, individuals can call PSDS directly with questions or concerns. The company and the HOA board are aware that some of you don’t need a 65-gallon cart for green waste, and don’t want to make space for it. In that case, you should call PSDS at (760) 327-1351 and request a 35-gallon cart. There was a shortage of these carts because of higher than expected demand, and they are on back-order until February or March 2023.