California Laws Require Waste Sorting
Senate Bill 1383 sets statewide targets to recover edible food and reduce disposal of organic waste in landfills. The bill aims to feed hungry people and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It requires the separation of organic waste like food, food-soiled paper, yard trimmings, paper, and cardboard from garbage. It was signed into law by Governor Brown in 2016, is enforceable via local ordinance, and applies to everyone, everywhere in California: at home, work, school, parks, venues, and events.Assembly Bill 341 requires businesses that generate 4 cubic yards or more of waste per week and all multifamily residential complexes with 5 or more living units to separate traditional recyclable materials (bottles, cans, paper, cardboard, etc.) from their garbage.
Assembly Bill 1826 requires that all businesses generating 2 cubic yards or more of waste (garbage + recycling) per week implement an organics recycling program. It also requires multifamily residential complexes with 5 or more living units to implement a recycling program for yard trimmings. Effective January 1, 2022, SB 1383 supersedes this bill.
Assembly Bill 827 amends AB 1826 & AB 341 and requires the provision of “front-of-house” recycling and organic waste collection bins in all restaurants and cafeterias where patrons clear their own tables.
South San Francisco Scavenger and the cities we serve are working together to educate the community and to provide appropriate services. Commercial properties are required to subscribe to recycling, organics, and garbage service and to sort materials correctly. If you do not currently have recycling and organics service, please contact us today!
Did You Know?
South San Francisco Scavenger offers no-charge collection of properly sorted cardboard, paper, and recyclable containers. We offer organics collection at the same charge as garbage service. An adequate level of weekly garbage service is required before recycling services can be added.
A limited number of 23-gallon food scraps collection containers are available for no charge to participants in our commercial organics program. They are great for collection of food scraps and food-soiled paper in kitchens and break rooms, and must be emptied into the larger organics collection bin serviced by our truck.
Waste reduction and sorting tips can be found in our Sort Smart Recycling Guide. Printer-friendly guides, posters, labels, and more are accessible here.
Our outreach team is standing by to help you implement or improve your recycling efforts. Contact us today!
Local Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance also aims to reduce waste.
This new law regulates and reduces disposable food service ware made of plastic and other foodware waste. The new regulations apply to food facilities. Click here for more information.
