Resources for Non-Local Entities

Non-local entities include:

• Special districts
• Federal facilities
• Prisons
• State park facilities
• Public universities and community colleges
• County fairgrounds
• State agencies

Collection Requirements

Non-local entities must recycle their organic waste either by:

• Subscribing to a collection service that the jurisdiction provides OR
• Contracting for collection services independently OR
• Self-hauling organic waste to a specified composting facility, community composting program, or other collection activity or program.

Education

Non-local entities must educate employees about organic waste prevention. They must periodically:

• Inspect organic waste containers for contamination
• Inform employees if containers are contaminated and
• Instruct employees on how to properly sort material into the correct containers.

Clear signage and container labeling encourages proper sorting and minimizes contamination. 

Containers

Non-local entities must provide containers to collect organic waste and recyclables in all areas where disposal containers (trash cans) are provided, except in restrooms.

However, a non-local entity is not required to provide containers if a specific material type is not generated in a particular space (e.g., food waste in a classroom or office).

Containers must conform to the proper color or labeling requirements:

• Existing internal organics collection containers can still be used until they are no longer functional or until January 1, 2036, whichever comes first, as long as they are the correct color.
• Alternatively, containers may have labels added that identify accepted and prohibited materials.
• Containers must have a body or lid that conforms to the container colors OR must have container labels on new containers that comply with the labeling requirements.
  • Example: If the collection service is a 3-container system, then a green, blue, and gray internal container is required, or the 3 internal containers need to be labeled appropriately.

Non-Local entities must ensure new containers are properly labeled by:

• Placing labels on containers that include language or graphic images, or both, that indicate the primary materials accepted and the primary materials prohibited in that container or
• Providing containers with imprinted text or graphic images that indicate the primary materials accepted and the primary materials prohibited in that container.
• Labels shall clearly indicate the primary items that are prohibited container contaminants for each container.
• Non-local entities may comply by using model labeling provided by CalRecycle.