Multifamily Recycling Organics

Multifamily Organics

California Laws Require Waste Sorting

California has enacted multiple laws requiring the proper separation and recovery of organic and recyclable materials to reduce landfill waste, recover edible food, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

These requirements apply statewide at home, work, school, parks, venues, and events, and are enforceable through local ordinances.

California Waste & Recycling Regulations

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 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 multifamily residential complexes with 5 or more living units to implement an organics recycling program for yard trimmings.

South San Francisco Scavenger and the cities we serve are working together to educate the community and to provide appropriate services. Multifamily 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 (bottles, cans, etc.). 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.

Durable, easy to clean, recyclables collection tote bags and kitchen pails are available for no charge. We will provide one of each per living unit. They are for residents to use for collection and transport of appropriate materials. Bags/pails must be emptied into the larger collection bins serviced by our trucks. Each bag and pail features graphic-rich instructions for use.

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!

Pro Tips For Food Waste Collection:

  • As needed, empty your kitchen pail into the large green organics bin you share with your neighbors. Rinse and wipe your pail clean. Refill.
  • Use newspaper, paper bags or paper towels to line you pail or to wrap juicy food scraps. As an alternative to using the pail, you can try using an uncoated paper box (like for pizza or other takeout meals). These can be filled with food scraps, closed, and the full box placed in the large green organics bin. You can even freeze the boxed or wrapped scraps and place in the larger green bin the night before collection.
  • Inside your green organics bin, cover layers of food scraps with pizza boxes, other food-soiled paper, or a layer of yard trimmings (if you have any). Putting a layer of newspaper or cardboard at the very bottom of your bin each week can be particularly helpful. Paper and yard trimmings help absorb moisture and odors.
  • Sprinkle baking soda in your kitchen pail or larger green bin as needed to absorb moisture and odor. You can also mist with citrus oil.
  • Clean your green organics bin as needed. Empty carts can be lightly rinsed and drained over a landscaped area and then left to dry with lid open. Larger bins can be steam cleaned– give us a call at 650.589.4020 to schedule (fees may apply).
  • Keep your kitchen pail and green organics bin lids closed.
  • Please do NOT use plastic or bio/compostable plastic liner bags.

  • Questions? We’re Here to Help

Questions? Call or text us at (650) 589-4020 or use our contact form. We’ll reply as soon as possible and always within one business day. Look for additional information about the Organics Program in our newsletters and guides.