Lid Flip
What Is Lid Flipping ?
Flip the Lid. Prevent Litter. Protect Our Community.
“Lid flipping” is a quick visual check of randomly selected recycling, organics and garbage containers along a collection route. A trained team member briefly opens the lid to check for contamination, such as plastic bags in the green organics bin, food waste in the recycling bin or recyclable materials placed in the garbage.
These checks are educational—not a search through personal belongings. Team members are not required to open bags or remove materials from the container.
Why Are Lid Flips Important?
Proper sorting helps keep recyclable and compostable materials out of the landfill. It also:
- Keeps plastic and other contaminants out of compost.
- Helps food scraps and yard trimmings become renewable fuel and compost.
- Improves the quality of recyclable materials.
- Protects equipment and employees at processing facilities.
- Helps our community reduce landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
Stay informed and stay compliant.
Why Are Lid Flips Required ?
California Senate Bill 1383 requires local jurisdictions to monitor recycling, organics and garbage containers for contamination. Under California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 18984.5, jurisdictions using a two- or three-container collection system must conduct either route reviews or facility-based waste evaluations.
Lid flipping is part of the route review process. When route reviews are used, containers are randomly selected, every collection route must be reviewed annually and customers must receive sorting education when contamination is found.
The purpose of these reviews is to provide helpful feedback and improve sorting—not to shame customers. California’s regulations do not require jurisdictions to issue penalties for contamination found in residential curbside containers, although local rules may allow additional enforcement when contamination continues.
Help Keep Our Streets Clean.
What Happens If Contamination Is Found ?
You may receive a cart tag, notice or other educational information explaining what was found and where the item belongs. Use it as a friendly reminder for your next collection day.
Not sure where something goes? Visit our sorting guide or contact South San Francisco Scavenger Company, Inc. We are happy to help you sort it out!
