Is your Business of Multi-Family Residential Dwelling Affected?

State legislation (AB 1826) mandates business’ that generate at least 2 cubic yards of solid waste per week or more to recycle their organic materials. 

In October of 2014 California adopted Assembly Bill 1826, requiring all businesses to recycle their organic waste materials on and after April 1, 2016. This mandate helps California in achieving their overall waste diversion (75% by 2020) and greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. Requirements for Businesses: Businesses and public entities that generate organic waste (food and/or green waste) are required to recycle organic waste, or be issued a City approved waiver, if applicable.

The law phased in the requirements for businesses over time, while offering an exemption process for rural counties. Additionally, the law contains a 2020 trigger that further increased the scope of affected businesses. As such, in September of 2020, CalRecycle reduced the threshold to 2 cubic yards of solid waste (solid waste is the total of trash, recycling, and organics) generated by covered businesses.

Business Organic Waste Includes:

Food Scraps and Compostable Paper: food waste and food-soiled paper waste that is mixed in with food waste

Green Waste/Landscape Materials and Nonhazardous Wood Waste

Requirements for Multi-Family Properties: Apartment and Condominium Complexes of 5 units or more are required to recycle organic waste.

Multi-Family Organic Waste Includes:

Green Waste/Landscape Materials and Nonhazardous Wood Waste

Multifamily complexes are not required to have a food waste diversion program; however, those with 5+ units generating enough landscape related organics will be required to recycle those organics.

Implementation dates:

April 1, 2016 – Businesses generating 8 CY of Organic Waste

January 1, 2017 – Businesses generating 4 CY of Organic waste

January 1, 2019 – Businesses generating 4 CY of SOLID WASTE

CalRecycle may implement 2 CY of commercial SOLID WASTE, January 1, 2020
If statewide disposal of organic waste is not reduced by half