Recycling For Businesses

Mandatory Organics Recycling (SB 1383 & AB 1826)

Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) and Assembly Bill 1826 (AB 1826) require all businesses that generate organic waste (food waste, landscaping waste) to subscribe to and/or participate in a program to recycle that waste.  Organic waste includes food scraps, vegetable trimmings, plate scrapings, spoiled food, and landscaping waste.   

How do businesses (including property managers) comply?

1. Recycle your organic material.

• Subscribe to regular organics collection service from CR&R.

          OR

• Self-haul organics to a permitted facility, such as a composting or anaerobic digestion facility. A record must be kept showing the amount of organic material delivered to each facility.

2. Provide organics and recycling service to employees, contractors, tenants, and customers.

1. Collection service must be arranged so that access to an adequate number, size, and location of containers is available. 
2. For all outdoor and indoor containers, the container bodies or lids shall conform to the following color scheme: gray/black for trash, blue for recycling, and green for organics. In addition, containers shall have labels with graphic images to indicate primary materials accepted and prohibited.
3. Annually provide educational information about the legal requirements to compost and recycle. In addition, education must be provided on how to properly sort the three waste streams into correct containers. Please note, for new tenants, this information must be provided before or within 14 days of move-in.
4. Periodically inspect recycling and organics containers and inform employees if contamination is found.

Which businesses are required to donate food?

Large food generating businesses will be required to donate food.  For more information on businesses subject to this part of SB 1383, please visit the Edible Food Recovery information page.  Of course, anyone can donate edible food and is encouraged to participate in these programs too.

Reference: SB 1383 Regulations §§ 18984.7, 18984.8, 18984.9, 18984.10, 18986.1, 18986.2, 18988.3, 18991.3, 18991.4, https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/slcp/collection

Mandatory Recycling and Organics Recycling Bins (AB 827)

Effective July 1, 2020, Assembly Bill 827 (AB 827) mandates fast-casual food service establishments to provide customers with disposal containers for three types of materials – food scraps, recyclables, and trash – generated from products purchased and consumed onsite.