Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling
AB 1826 (Chesbro, 2014) requires:
- Businesses to recycle their organic waste.
- Local jurisdictions across the state to have organic waste recycling programs for businesses, including multifamily residential dwellings with five or more units.
Organic waste includes waste from:
- Food
- Landscaping and pruning
- Untreated wood waste
- Food-soiled paper
The law is phased in businesses’ requirements and has an exemption process for rural counties.
In September 2020, CalRecycle reduced the threshold to 2 cubic yards of solid waste, which is the total of trash, recycling, and organics generated by regulated businesses.
Helpful Tools
- Flyer and Brochure for schools regarding AB 1826 and small-scale composting, respectively.
- Recycling and Organics Recycling Guide for Business Brochure
- Education/Outreach Tools
Why Organics?
In 2014, over half of trash sent to California sent to landfills was organic waste.
Cutting organic waste is vital part of California’s climate fight.
Organic waste in landfills emits 20% of the state’s methane, a climate super pollutant that heats the climate 84 times more than carbon dioxide.
Organics like food scraps and yard trimmings can be recycled as compost, mulch, and anaerobic digestion to make clean energy.
Business Requirements and Resources | Local Government Requirements and Resources | Requirements for CalRecycle
Related Resources
- Find a Composter Near You – Locate compost or mulch facilities by county, and feedstock accepted.
- California Green Business Network – A network of local programs operated by counties and cities.
- CoolCalifornia.org – Resources include a carbon calculator, sustainability activities, success stories, a funding wizard, and an awards program.
- The Foodservice Packaging Institute – Resources for communities, composters, facilities, and recycling end markets.
- AmpleHarvest.org – A nationwide resource that eliminates food waste, reducing hunger and malnutrition.
- The Institute for Local Self-Reliance: Community Composting – Resources include a full report, a summary of best management practices, a troubleshooting guide, data sheets, and a series of posters that won’t drain your printer cartridges that are designed to provide simple visuals that assist key operations.
- The Center for EcoTechnology – Resources on food waste reduction, food rescue, and food waste separation.
- The Best Management Practice Tip Sheets – created by CET with guidance from CalRecycle, Solana Center and San Diego Food System Alliance.
- 2017 Reviews of Jurisdiction Memo
- Jurisdiction and Annual Report Contacts
- Jurisdiction Reviews
- Commercial Organics Recycling
- Mandatory Commercial Recycling final regulation and rulemaking
For more information contact: Commercial Recycling, LAMD@calrecycle.ca.gov.