Organics Recycling AB1826

California State Law AB 1826 (2014) requires commercial businesses, public entities and multifamily units of five (5) or more to recycle their organic waste through available programs or services depending on the amount of waste they generate per week.  Organic waste (organics) means food scraps, food-soiled paper waste that is mixed in with food waste, yard waste, landscape and pruning waste, and nonhazardous wood waste. This law also requires that on and after January 1, 2016, local jurisdictions across the state implement an organic waste recycling program to divert organic waste generated by businesses.

• The law phases in the requirements over several years. Business and multifamily complexes must start recycling organic waste by the following dates:
  • January 1, 2017 generators of 4 or more cubic yards of organic waste per week
  • January 1, 2019 generators of 4 or more cubic yards of solid waste per week
  • January 1, 2020 generator of 2 or more cubic yards of solid waste per week

To learn more about the proper disposal and recycling of organic materials or to schedule a FREE Waste Assessment to start or improve an organics recycling program at your facility please call Salinas Valley Recycles (831) 775-3000.

For more information on AB 1826 please visit the CalRecycle web site.

The purpose of these laws is to:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by diverting commercial solid waste and organics to recycling efforts
• Expand recycling opportunities in California
• Conserve and reclaim natural resources to extend the life of our local landfill

Organics Recycling laws will increase the diversion of commercial solid waste and organics to be recycled, thereby reducing disposal fees for businesses and meeting the statewide waste diversion goal of 75% by 2020.