Manhattan Beach, if you haven't started putting your food waste in your green waste bin, now's the time to start. A new law directs California residents to separate food waste from trash, and to put the food waste in the green bin with yard waste.

The law, SB 1383, took effect on January 1. The goal of the new law is to reduce organic materials going to the landfill, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and thereby help slow climate change.

Many Manhattan Beach families already separate food waste from trash. The easiest way to do this is to have a separate food waste container in the kitchen, the contents of which get dumped directly into the green waste bin.

Here's a quick look at what should be in each bin:

Green Bin: Gardening trimmings and food waste (including meat scraps and bones) and soiled paper. The green bin should NOT have loose plastic bags, utensils, plastic or foam containers, or hazardous waste.

Grey Bin: General trash including food wrappers, chip bags, diapers, and foam containers. The trash bin should NOT contain hazardous waste, electronics, batteries, tires, pain, or flammable materials.

In separating trash, the goal is to avoid contamination. Contamination occurs when the wrong material goes into a load and can prevent the entire load of organics or recyclables from going on to have a future use. Loose plastic bags or bagged materials are the most common contaminant, according to Manhattan Beach's waste hauler, Waste Management. 

To order a green cart at no additional charge, call Waste Management at 310-830-7100.