Costa Mesans, get ready to sort your trash into organic and not

The Costa Mesa Sanitary District will soon begin implementing its organics recycling program, which ends its no-sorting-required trash system.

Special 64-gallon carts for pickup of organic materials — such as gardening clippings and food scraps — are being delivered to district ratepayer households between Monday and Aug. 14.

The organics carts will be picked up on the same day as the rest of the trash but by a separate truck. The trash and organics carts must be placed curbside no later than 6:30 a.m., with handles and wheels facing the house. The carts must also be side by side, about 1 foot apart and at least 3 feet from obstructions such as parked cars, trees and mailboxes.

Second organics carts are available for free through Aug. 14 by contacting CR&R Customer Service at (949) 646-4617. Additional carts beyond the first two will cost $8 per month.

After the 64-gallon cart is delivered, residents can request a smaller 35-gallon bin by calling CR&R at (949) 646-4617.

Special small pails for collecting organics in the kitchen are also available on a first-come, first-served basis at the sanitary district’s office, 628 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa.

Ratepayers seeking exemptions must submit a request in writing.

The organic material will be sent to an anaerobic digestion facility in Perris to be recycled and made into renewable natural gas. District officials say the program will also help reduce the amount of materials sent to landfills.

For more information, visit https://www.cmsdca.gov/organics.