Cannabis plants that contain the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are legal in the state of California for medical and recreational use. However, cannabis is federally considered a Schedule I illegal drug. For this reason, all aspects of the industry are heavily regulated, including its waste management. This page provides guidance specifically on how to prepare cannabis plant cuttings/trimmings and edibles for composting, however, some cannabis waste companies offer comprehensive waste management services. Please see the list below the map for more information. Other pages on our website also have details on disposal of non-compostable items.
Photo by Matteo Paganelli
Please check and adhere to state regulations for compost facilities and operations; they may vary based on size of the operation. Please also see below for state regulations regarding cannabis disposal, and what materials are and are not acceptable to mix with cannabis waste in order to render it "unrecognizable and unusable".
Although the information is mostly for residents, our Home Composting or Worm Composting pages may have some helpful information.
Cannabis waste can be placed into a regular green dumpster along with other yard debris and food scraps for composting. Make sure to remove all packaging so there is no contamination with plastic, metal, glass, or hazardous waste. If you prefer a specialized cannabis hauler instead, the following companies offer comprehensive cannabis waste services and pick up in Sonoma County:
See list below map for contact info.
See below for a map and list of disposal sites that will take cannabis for composting. Make sure all materials are secure in the vehicle and will not blow away in the wind. The cannabis waste mixture should be loose or in paper bags. Do not use plastic bags as facilities will not accept them for composting.
DO mix cannabis waste with the following.
Note: All non-compostable packaging should be removed.
Do NOT mix cannabis waste with any of the following.
Contamination with these materials will prevent the cannabis from being composted, and the only remaining option will be the landfill.
The Bureau is the lead agency in regulating commercial cannabis licenses for medical and recreational cannabis in California. The Bureau is responsible for licensing retailers, distributors, testing labs, microbusinesses, and temporary cannabis events.
A division of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), CalCannabis is responsible for licensing cultivators of medicinal and recreational cannabis, as well as implementing a track-and-trace system to record the movement of cannabis through the distribution chain.
MCSB is a division of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and is responsible for licensing all commercial cannabis manufacturers within the state of California, including manufacturers of cannabis-infused edibles.
The three state licensing agencies listed above all play a part in the regulation of the commercial cannabis market. Although each has their own set of rules around waste management, there is overlap. In addition to these cannabis specific regulations, there are also state laws AB 1826 and SB 1383 mandating that all commercial entities compost any discarded organic matter/material in order to reduce methane emissions and slow climate change. This includes plant cuttings and debris (e.g., buds, stems, rootballs), edibles that are expired/damaged or from testing labs, and pre-rolls.
This can be a locked dumpster, refuse room, dumpster enclosure, etc. Only the licensee, employees, and the contracted waste hauler should have access.
This requirement is meant to discourage people from trying to scavenge and consume cannabis waste. Packaging must first be removed. Either the licensee, or their contracted hauler, should then thoroughly grind and mix the cannabis with non-cannabis materials before transporting to a facility for composting. The resulting mixture must be at least 50% non-cannabis material. Please see the previous section for examples of what materials to use.
If the cannabis waste is getting picked up by a hauler, proof of service is all you need. If you are self-hauling, be sure to get a weight ticket or receipt.
Photo by Margo Amala
Reuse organization
Annapolis Transfer Station (Disposal and Recycling)
33549 Annapolis Rd.
Annapolis, CA 94952
NotesDrop-off: plant trimmings and edibles. Will be charged the yard debris rate. Must remove all packaging; no contamination with plastic, metal, glass, or hazardous wastes.
For current rates, see Fee Schedule
Cannabis Waste Solutions
NotesPick-up: plant trimmings and edibles. May pick up other cannabis related wastes. Call for details
Cold Creek Compost
NotesDrop-off: plant trimmings and edibles, 5 cubic yard minimum. $45 minimum charge. Must remove all packaging; no contamination with plastic, metal, glass, or hazardous wastes.
Easy Waste Management
NotesPick-up: plant trimmings, edibles, hazardous cannabis by-products, and all other type of cannabis waste. Call for quote and more information on services
GAIACA Waste Revitalization
NotesPick-up: plant trimmings, stalks, stems, leaves, edibles, failed product, hazardous cannabis waste, vape pens, post-extracted plant material, waste water. Call or visit website for more information
Grab N' Grow Soil Products
2759 Llano Rd.
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
NotesDrop-off: plant trimmings only. Must remove all packaging; no contamination with plastic, metal, glass, or hazardous wastes.
Guerneville Transfer Station (Disposal and Recycling)
13450 Pocket Canyon Dr./Hwy. 116
Guerneville, CA 95446
NotesDrop-off: plant trimmings and edibles. Will be charged the yard debris rate. Must remove all packaging; no contamination with plastic, metal, glass, or hazardous wastes.
For current rates, see Fee Schedule
Healdsburg Transfer Station (Disposal and Recycling)
166 Alexander Valley Rd
Healdsburg, CA 95448
NotesDrop-off: plant trimmings and edibles. Will be charged the yard debris rate. Must remove all packaging; no contamination with plastic, metal, glass, or hazardous wastes.
For current rates, see Fee Schedule
Napa Recycling
820 Levitin Way
American Canyon, CA 94503
NotesDrop-off: plant trimmings and edibles. Will be charged yard debris rate, minimum $21. Must remove all packaging; no contamination with plastic, metal, glass, or hazardous wastes.
Republic Services/Global Materials Recovery Services
3899 Santa Rosa Ave
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
NotesDrop-off: plant trimmings and edibles. Will be charged the yard debris rate. Must remove all packaging; no contamination with plastic, metal, glass, or hazardous wastes.
Sonoma Transfer Station (Disposal and Recycling)
4376 Stage Gulch Rd.
Sonoma, CA 94956
NotesDrop-off: plant trimmings and edibles. Will be charged the yard debris rate. Must remove all packaging; no contamination with plastic, metal, glass, or hazardous wastes.
For current rates, see Fee Schedule
