Composting & Recycling Laws
There are four important laws related to recycling and waste management in California that you should know about. These California recycling laws are aimed at helping the state reach its diversion goals and to keep resources out of the landfill.
For residents, the Short-lived Climate Pollutants Law (SB 1383) is really the only one you should be aware of, the rest pertain to businesses or multifamily dwellings.
SHORT-LIVED CLIMATE POLLUTANTS: SB 1383
California is now experiencing the effects of a climate crisis: hotter summers with world record-breaking temperatures, even more devastating fire seasons, more extreme droughts, and rising sea levels that erode our coastlines.
When organic material is sent to landfill, it breaks down without access to oxygen and creates methane gas. Landfills are the third largest source in the U.S. of human-caused methane – a potent heat-trapping gas that contributes to climate change.
To respond to this climate crisis, California is implementing statewide organic waste recycling and surplus food recovery. Reducing Short-Lived Climate Super Pollutants like organic waste will have the fastest impact on the climate crisis.
*Some businesses may be required to donate their edible food. For more information please go to zerowastemarin.org/businesses/commercial-recycling/#fdon
Learn more at calrecycle.ca.gov/Organics/SLCP/
Residential Dwellings
SB 1383 requires residents to collect their food waste, yard waste, and paper separately from all other waste.
HOW DO YOU COMPLY?
SUBSCRIBE AND PARTICIPATE IN COMPOSTABLES SERVICE
Marin Sanitary Service offers all customers green containers with weekly curbside collection to compost their food scraps, yard trimmings, napkins & pizza boxes. Do your part and keep compostables out of the trash!
COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES
SB 1383 requires businesses to:
- Collect food waste, yard waste, and paper separately from all other waste.
- Subscribe and participate in an organics curbside collection service.
- Provide collection containers for organic waste and recyclables in all areas where disposal containers are provided for customers, except in restrooms.
- Provide education etc employees, contractors, tenants and customer on how to properly sort organic material into the correct containers.
HOW DO YOU COMPLY?
SUBSCRIBE TO COMPOSTABLES SERVICE
AND/OR FOOD 2 ENERGY
Marin Sanitary Service offers two options for commercial customers:
1) an organic materials compostables recycling service
2) a Food 2 Energy food-waste-only service for qualifying customers
* Some businesses may be required to donate their edible food. For more information please go to zerowastemarin.org
Download a Compliance & Waiver Form.
A commercial recycling outreach coordinator will work with you to help set up the right services.
WE CAN HELP!
Our recycling coordinators can do site visits and audits, supply educational materials, and provide ongoing technical and training workshops and assistance.
You can reach a recycling coordinator weekdays
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (415) 456-2601
or use the button below to have us contact you.
Download our Commercial Short-Lived Pollutants Law flyer.
MULTIFAMILY DWELLINGS
SB 1383 requires multifamily complexes to:
- Collect food waste, yard waste, and paper separately from all other waste.
- Provide organic waste collection services for tenants and employees.
- Supply and allow access to an adequate number and size of containers with the correct container colors and labels.
- Annually educate tenants and employees on how to properly sort organic waste into the correct bins, and provide information to new tenants within 14 days of occupation of the premises.
HOW DO YOU COMPLY?
SUBSCRIBE TO COMPOSTABLES SERVICE
AND/OR FOOD 2 ENERGY
Marin Sanitary Service offers organics (compostables) recycling services for multifamily properties.
Download a Compliance & Waiver Form.
A commercial recycling outreach coordinator will work with you to help set up the right services.
WE CAN HELP!
Our recycling coordinators can do site visits and audits, supply educational materials, and provide ongoing technical and training workshops and assistance.
You can reach a recycling coordinator weekdays
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (415) 456-2601
or use the button below to have us contact you.
Download our Multifamily Short-Lived Pollutants Law flyer.
MANDATORY COMMERCIAL RECYCLING : AB 341
In 2012, California adopted AB 341 the Mandatory Commercial Recycling Measure to enhance systems that capture recyclable materials from the commercial sector. The purpose of the law is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by diverting commercial solid waste from landfills and expand opportunities for recycling in California.
COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES
Assembly Bill 341 requires businesses, including public entities, that generate four (4) or more cubic yards of solid waste per week to recycle.
HOW DO YOU COMPLY?
SUBSCRIBE TO RECYCLING SERVICE
Marin Sanitary Service offers recycling service for commercial businesses.
A commercial recycling outreach coordinator will work with you to help set up the right services.
WE CAN HELP!
Our recycling coordinators can do site visits and audits, supply educational materials, and provide ongoing technical and training workshops and assistance.
You can reach a recycling coordinator weekdays
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (415) 456-2601
or use the button below to have us contact you.
Download our Commercial Mandatory Recycling Law flyer.
MULTIFAMILY DWELLINGS
Assembly Bill 341 requires multifamily complexes of five (5) or more units to recycle.
HOW DO YOU COMPLY
SUBSCRIBE TO RECYCLING SERVICE
Marin Sanitary Service offers recycling service for multifamily properties.
A commercial recycling outreach coordinator will work with you to help set up the right services.
WE CAN HELP!
Our recycling coordinators can do site visits and audits, supply educational materials, and provide ongoing technical and training workshops and assistance.
You can reach a recycling coordinator weekdays
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (415) 456-2601
or use the button below to have us contact you.
Download our Multifamily Mandatory Recycling Law flyer.
MANDATORY COMMERCIAL ORGANICS RECYCLING : AB 1826
Removing organic material (compostables) from the landfill is not only a top priority for Marin Sanitary Service, it is an essential step toward achieving California’s recycling and greenhouse gas emission goals. Not only does proper disposal of organic materials produce a soil amendment for California farmers, it also has an impact on reducing greenhouse gases. When organic material like food waste is landfilled, it breaks down anaerobically, creating methane and other greenhouse gases that leak from landfills and contribute to climate change.
COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES
Assembly Bill 1826 requires businesses, including public entities, that generate two (2) or more cubic yards of waste and recyclables per week to arrange for organic waste recycling services.
HOW DO YOU COMPLY?
SUBSCRIBE TO COMPOSTABLES SERVICE
Marin Sanitary Service offers organics (compostables) recycling service for commercial customers.
A commercial recycling outreach coordinator will work with you to help set up the right services.
WE CAN HELP!
Our recycling coordinators can do site visits and audits, supply educational materials, and provide ongoing technical and training workshops and assistance.
You can reach a recycling coordinator weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (415) 456-2601 or use the button below to have us contact you.
Download our Commercial Organics Recycling Law flyer.
MULTIFAMILY DWELLINGS
Assembly Bill 1826 requires multifamily complexes of five (5) or more units that generate two (2) or more cubic yards of waste and recyclables per week to arrange for organic waste recycling services.
HOW DO YOU COMPLY?
SUBSCRIBE TO COMPOSTABLES SERVICE
Marin Sanitary Service offers organics (compostables) recycling service for multifamily properties.
A commercial recycling outreach coordinator will work with you to help set up the right services.
WE CAN HELP!
Our recycling coordinators can do site visits and audits, supply educational materials, and provide ongoing technical and training workshops and assistance.
You can reach a recycling coordinator weekdays
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (415) 456-2601
or use the button below to have us contact you.
Download our Multifamily Organics Recycling Law flyer.
How One Marin Apartment Complex Succeeds with Composting Compliance
Read a case study about how Sessions Rise, a 73-unit group of condos in San Rafael, came into compliance with AB 1826 with the help of one resident, her HOA, and Marin Sanitary Service.
COMMERCIAL ORGANICS AND RECYCLING BINS : AB 827
The state of California has passed several laws related to the disposal of commercial waste in our state. This is because our recyclables are made of valuable natural resources, and by recycling we can conserve those resources and prevent greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, organic material that is sent to the landfill generates large amounts of the heat-trapping gas methane. Separating our waste helps preserve our natural environment and prevent climate change.
COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES
Assembly Bill 827 requires businesses, subject to AB 341 and AB 1826 provide bins to customers for collecting organics and recycling alongside trash bins.
HOW DO YOU COMPLY?
PROVIDE RECYCLING AND COMPOST CONTAINERS NEXT TO TRASH RECEPTACLES
Make sure to color-code and label the new bins and include pictures or descriptions of what can go in each one. Marin Sanitary can provide you with the appropriate signage.
WE CAN HELP!
Our recycling coordinators can do site visits and audits, supply educational materials, and provide ongoing technical and training workshops and assistance.
You can reach a recycling coordinator weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (415) 456-2601 or use the button below to have us contact you.
Download our Commercial Organics & Recycling Bins flyer.
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