Up to $500,000 Per Grant Available to Support Sustainable Five-Year Programs
Orange County, CA (March 2, 2026) – OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) is now accepting applications for the Regional Recycling and Edible Food Recovery Grant, a competitive five-year grant program designed to expand edible food recovery infrastructure and support statewide recycling and waste-reduction mandates.
Through the grant program, OCWR seeks to strengthen partnerships with Orange County Edible Food Recovery Organizations (EFROs), nonprofit organizations, jurisdictions, and other eligible entities to increase the recovery of surplus edible food for human consumption, reduce landfill disposal, and support compliance with California Senate Bill (SB) 1383. The program also supports innovative recycling and waste-reduction initiatives that benefit communities throughout Orange County.
“This grant program is an important investment in the partnerships necessary to recover more edible food and get it to the communities who need it most,” said Tom Koutroulis, Director of OC Waste & Recycling. “By supporting regional collaboration and sustainable programs, we are helping to bridge gaps for Orange County cities, nonprofits, and community organizations to meet the SB 1383 mandate for edible food recovery by helping expand critical infrastructure and capacity to reduce food waste locally.”
Across a five-year grant term, up to $6 million is available over the first three fiscal years, with individual grant awards not to exceed $500,000 per project. Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to, new or expanded edible food recovery programs, cold storage and transportation infrastructure, data-tracking software and equipment, education and outreach programs, and supplies related to edible food recovery and distribution.
Key Dates for the Grant Program include:
Application Period Opens: March 2, 2026, at 8 a.m.
Virtual Q&A Meeting: March 19, 2026, at 10 a.m. via Zoom.
Application Submission Deadline: April 10, 2026, at 4:59 p.m.
Interested applicants are encouraged to visitwww.OClandfills.com/grantsfor complete program details, eligibility requirements, application materials, virtual Q&A Zoom invitation, and submission instructions.
About OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) OCWR serves the County’s solid waste disposal needs through resource recovery, operating public landfills, protecting the local environment, investing in renewable energy enterprises and promoting recycling to ensure a safe and healthy community for current and future generations. The department manages one of the nation's premier solid waste disposal systems and three composting greenery sites, all serving residents and businesses in the County’s 34 cities and its unincorporated areas. OCWR’s three active landfills and compost greeneries reflect environmental engineering at its best. Learn more at www.OClandfills.com.
Collaboration Provides Certified Organic Compost and Mulch for Agricultural Market
Orange County, CA (January 13, 2026) – OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) has partnered with Agromin Corporation, California’s largest organics recycler and a leading manufacturer of earth-friendly soil products, to expand the County’s compost and mulch distribution to bulk customers across Southern California. This strategic collaboration will bring high-quality, locally produced compost and mulch to farms, landscapers, jurisdictions and other large-scale users throughout the region.
The program gives new life to green waste collected curbside by transforming it into nutrient-rich compost and mulch. Rather than being buried in landfills, this organic material is now recycled to help build healthier soil, support sustainable agriculture, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions—closing the recycling loop while creating environmental and economic value.
“Residents who participate in organics recycling are supporting the State’s goal of diverting organic waste from landfills under SB 1383, but more than that, they are facilitating a change in the waste and recycling industry,” said Tom Koutroulis, Director of OC Waste & Recycling. “Our partnership with Agromin is a perfect example of how local government and private industry can work together to expand our organics recycling program and product distribution. Organic material that would have previously been buried at our landfills is now being transformed to become part of residential and public landscaping projects throughout the area.”
“Agromin is proud to partner with the County of Orange to bring nutrient-rich compost and mulch to farms and landscapes across the region,” said Bill Camarillo, CEO of Agromin. “This partnership is a natural fit—Agromin is a recognized name in the agriculture and organics industries, and we bring the knowledge, experience, and resources needed to help OC Waste & Recycling reach a larger market. Together, we’re supporting healthy soil, sustainable farming, and a cleaner environment.”
OCWR’s compost is officially OMRI Listed® by the Organic Materials Review Institute, confirming it is allowed for use in compliance with the USDA National Organic Program. In addition, OCWR’s compost products are licensed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), marking a significant milestone in the department’s commitment to producing sustainable, high-quality compost and mulch for agricultural and landscape applications. Manufactured at OCWR’s composting facilities in Brea, Irvine, and San Juan Capistrano, the OMRI Listing certifies that OCWR’s compost meets the rigorous quality standards required for use in certified organic farming.
OCWR’s compost is also Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) Certified by the U.S. Composting Council, signifying compliance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations and adherence to strict testing protocols. This certification verifies that the compost is regularly tested, improves customer confidence in compost selection and utilization, and supports healthy soil through essential nutrients, beneficial microbes, enhanced water retention, and reduced erosion.
Agromin Corporation, based in Oxnard, will identify and connect large-scale customers—including farms, parks, soil blenders, and municipal landscaping operations—with high-quality material.
This initiative aligns with California’s statewide organic waste reduction goals set by Senate Bill 1383 and supports sustainable land management practices across both public and private sectors.
About OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) OCWR serves the County’s solid waste disposal needs through resource recovery, operating public landfills, protecting the local environment, investing in renewable energy enterprises and promoting recycling to ensure a safe and healthy community for current and future generations. The department manages one of the nation's premier solid waste disposal systems and three composting greenery sites, all serving residents and businesses in the County’s 34 cities and its unincorporated areas. OCWR’s three active landfills and compost greeneries reflect environmental engineering at its best.
For more information on our compost and mulch program, please visit our website at OClandfills.com/compost.
About Agromin Agromin, based in Oxnard, California, is the state's largest organics recycler. It manufactures soil products for farmers, government entities, landscapers and gardeners, serving over 200 California communities. Agromin processes more than 1 million tons of organic material annually into over 300 eco-friendly soil products. The results are more vigorous and healthier plants and gardens, and on the conservation side, the opportunity to close the recycling loop, allowing more room in landfills and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Agromin is a U.S. Composting Council Composter of the Year recipient. For more information, visit www.agromin.com.
Free STA- and OMRI-Certified Compost Available at Three County Landfill Locations
ORANGE COUNTY, CA (December 4, 2025) – OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) invites Orange County residents to a countywide Community Compost Giveaway on Saturday, December 6, from 7:30 a.m. to noon.
“OC Waste & Recycling is proud to provide high-quality compost back to our communities through this annual giveaway,” said Tom Koutroulis, Director of OCWR. “Our event underscores the importance of recycling organic materials and showcases how everyday actions—like composting—create lasting environmental benefits for Orange County.”
Free, ready-to-use compost will be available at three convenient locations:
Capistrano Greenery (Prima Deshecha Landfill) – 32250 Avenida La Pata, San Juan Capistrano
At the Irvine and San Juan Capistrano locations, residents should bring their own containers or heavy-duty yard waste bags and a shovel to load compost. At the Brea location, pre-filled bags will be distributed, limited to four bags per household while supplies last.
OCWR’s compost carries the Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) from the U.S. Composting Council, ensuring it meets strict standards for safety and quality. The material is nutrient-rich and ideal for backyards, gardens, and landscaping projects. Additionally, OCWR compost and mulch are certified by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) and are OMRI Listed, confirming its compliance with the USDA National Organic Program. This designation, along with licensure as Organic Input Materials (OIM) from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), marks a significant milestone in OCWR’s mission to produce sustainable, certified compost and mulch for agricultural and landscape use.
Although many associate composting with spring planting, compost is just as valuable in the winter. It enriches soil for cool-season vegetables, supports plant health during colder months, and helps prepare garden beds for year-round success. For more information on the compost giveaway, visit OClandfills.com/FallCompostGiveaway. To learn more about local recycling options, visit OCRecycleGuide.com or explore resources at OClandfills.com/learn.
Household Hazardous Waste Reminder
Keep hazardous items like batteries, paints, and household cleaners out of landfills. Orange County operates four Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers in Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Irvine, and San Juan Capistrano—open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
About OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR)
OCWR serves the County’s solid waste disposal needs by providing waste management services, operating public landfills, protecting the local environment, investing in renewable energy enterprises, and promoting recycling to ensure a safe and healthy community for current and future generations. The department manages one of the nation's premier solid waste disposal systems, three compost greeneries, all serving residents and businesses in the County’s 34 cities and unincorporated areas. OCWR’s three active landfills reflect environmental engineering at its best. Learn more by visiting the OCWR website at OClandfills.com.
