What to do with all these Paper Grocery Bags in San Diego?

It’s a new year and plastic bags are out in California. As of January 1, Senate Bill (SB) 1053 closes a loophole from the 2014 bag ban that allowed thicker, reusable or recyclable plastic bags to be sold at checkout. Supermarkets, drugstores, convenience stores, and other shops can sell paper bags instead.
This plastic bag ban and the new wave of paper bags in our homes is a great opportunity to rethink how we handle food scraps.

Make the Most of your Paper Bag Stash
1. Use Paper Bags While Prepping Food Scraps Instead of tossing every peel, core, or coffee grind into the garbage, use a paper bag to collect scraps as you go. Once you’re done, simply toss the whole bag into your curbside organics bin. This makes meal prep cleaner and keeps your bin from getting messy.
If you can’t immediately make it out to your curbside organics bin, you can put the paper bag in the fridge or freezer to reduce any odors and toss it later.
2. Double Up for Juicy Scraps For foods that tend to leak or get soggy (like citrus peels or melon rinds) double-bag with paper bags. This keeps your kitchen tidy, prevents odors and flies, and still ensures your food scraps will get turned into mulch and compost.
3. Experiment With Different Brands Not all paper bags are created equal. Some are sturdier, some are smaller. Use the ones that fit the type of scraps you’re collecting. Put heavier scraps in thick, large bags and lighter ones in smaller or thinner bags.

Why Composting Matters
When food scraps end up in the landfill, they don’t break down the way we might think. Without oxygen, they release methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

Under California’s organic waste recycling law (SB 1383), food scraps, yard waste, and other organic material must be placed in your curbside green bin to be recycled, composted or otherwise not end up in the trash. However, organic waste still makes up about 40% of what San Diego County residents send to landfills. Redirecting that waste into the green bin not only reduces methane emissions but also creates valuable compost used to enrich soils throughout the region, closing the loop on the food cycle!

Reduce, reuse, recycle.
While paper bags are a handy tool, don’t forget that bringing your own reusable bag is still the most sustainable option at checkout. But when life hands you a stack of paper bags, you can put them to work in your kitchen and make food scrap recycling easier, cleaner, and mess-free.
If you have more paper bags than you can use for food scraps, they can go in your curbside blue bin. Just be sure they are clean (not soiled with food or wet)!

New Plastic Bag Ban Spurs Creative Ways for San Diegans to Use Paper Grocery Bags for Curbside Composting

SAN DIEGO — A change in California’s plastic bag law is reshaping shopping habits and creating new opportunities for composting in San Diego households. 

As of Jan. 1, Senate Bill 1053 , prohibits the sale of plastic bags. Retailers across California, including grocery stores, drugstores and convenience stores, must replace plastic bags with paper alternatives. 

The shift has led many residents to bring home more paper grocery bags, a change that  could support the state’s composting goals if the bags are reused. 

Making the Most of Paper Grocery Bags at Home 

Paper bags can be a simple, effective tool for collecting food scraps before they go into the curbside green bin. During meal prep, food scraps like peels, cores, coffee grounds, napkins and paper towels can be collected directly into a paper bag instead of the trash. When finished, the entire bag can be placed into the curbside organics bin, helping keep kitchen counters clean and green bins “ick” and mess free.  Double up the paper bags to help absorb any moisture and keep the bag sturdy on the bottom. 

If residents aren’t able to take scraps outside right away, paper bags can be stored temporarily in the refrigerator or freezer to minimize odors before disposal. 

Why Composting Food Scraps Matters 

When food waste is sent to the landfill, it breaks down without oxygen and releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to climate change. 

California’s organic waste recycling law, SB 1383, requires residents to place food scraps, yard trimmings, and other organic materials into their curbside green bins so they can be composted or otherwise diverted from landfills. Despite this, organic waste still accounts for roughly 40% of what San Diego County residents send to landfills. 

“Tossing food scraps into the green bin instead of the trash is one of the simplest ways we can help the planet,” says Steve Weihe, Recycling Specialist with the County of San Diego. “With paper bags now replacing plastic at grocery and retail stores, starting to recycle your food scraps is easier than ever. Just double-bag your scraps in paper to keep things clean and hassle-free—it’s simple, effective, and helps reduce mess. Once done, simply toss the entire paper bag in the green bin.”  

Placing your food scraps and soiled paper in the green bin  extends the life of our landfills, reduces harmful methane emissions and creates nutrient-rich compost that is used to improve soils throughout the region, helping close the loop on the food cycle. 

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle 

While paper bags are a helpful tool, bringing reusable bags to the store remains the most sustainable option. Still, when households find themselves with a surplus of paper grocery bags, reusing them for food scrap collection is an easy way to support local composting efforts. 

Any extra paper bags that are clean and dry (not wet or soiled with food) can also be recycled in the curbside blue bin. 

By rethinking how everyday items like paper grocery bags are used, San Diegans can take the mess out of food scrap recycling, reduce waste sent to landfills, and take another step toward a cleaner, more sustainable region. 

About I Love A Clean San Diego  

I Love A Clean San Diego is an environmental nonprofit that has supported residents and businesses of San Diego County through youth and adult education and local action through impactful volunteer events and workshops since 1954. As San Diego’s most influential advocate for sustainability, I Love A Clean San Diego’s programs are an environmental catalyst, awakening passion and inspiring action to empower everyone to be leaders in conservation and waste-free living. Our community is passion in action to maintain and improve the health of the home we love. For more information or to volunteer , visit cleansd.org  or call (619) 291-0103.  

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