AB 341 - Mandatory Recycling

California's Assembly Bill 341 requires mandatory recycling by July 2012.
With the passage of AB 341, California is one of the first states in the nation to enact a statewide program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by diverting commercial solid waste from landfills.

• State mandatory recycling for businesses and multi-family became effective July 1, 2012.
• State law requires all businesses that generate 4 or more cubic yards of waste weekly to recycle.
• State law requires that apartment communities/multi-family housing with 5 or more units must recycle.

Recycling helps conserve resources and extends the life of California's landfills.  It also helps create a healthy environment for our community and future generations. 

For more information about California's new mandatory recycling law, visit: https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Recycle/Commercial/.

To view a complete list of mixed recycling items, click: Commercial/Mulitfamily Recycling.

AB 1826 - Mandatory Organics Recycling

California's Assembly Bill 1826 requires mandatory organics recycling April 1, 2016.
By April 1, 2016, businesses generating 8 cubic yards of organic waste  per week must recycle their organic waste.  The law includes schools, hospitals, stores, restaurants, for-profit or nonprofit organizations, as well as residential dwellings with 5+ units.  These new requirements will be phased in over several years and will help California recycle 75% of its generated waste by 2020. 

Why is this necessary?
Landfill gas created by decomposing organic wastes is a significant source of Green House Gas. This law helps California achieve its aggressive recycling and greenhouse gas emission goals and address climate change.  Despite the State’s robust and traditional recycling infrastructure, organic materials (yard trimmings, food scraps and food-soiled paper) make up 41% of the remaining waste stream.  Redirecting these resources to composting and digesting operations, will save landfill space, generate energy, reduce emissions, and restore soils. 

Organic recycling mandates are triggered by timelines and quantities.  Following are the start dates:

• January 1, 2019 - Generators of 4 or more cubic yards of solid waste per week
• Summer/Fall 2021 - If landfilled organic waste is not reduced by 50% statewide by 2020, businesses generating 2 cubic yards or more per week of solid waste may be required by CalRecycle to arrange for organics recycling.

What businesses can do to help?
Customers will need to begin separating their organic wastes and have separate services to collect and recycle organics.  The City does NOT currently offer these services; however, businesses are free to subscribe to organics collection services with a third-party hauler or to self-haul , donate their organics to food banks or non-profits.

To more information about California's new mandatory organics recycling law, visit: https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Recycle/Commercial/Organics/.