State Recycling Requirements for Businesses and Multi-Family Communities
On July 1, 2012, Governor Brown signed Assembly Bill 341 (AB 341) which requires mandatory recycling for commercial businesses and multi-family properties. Each local jurisdiction is required to inform businesses about the recycling requirement and to keep track of the level of recycling within the community. In addition, each jurisdiction is required to report to CalRecycle, the state agency that oversees recycling and solid waste, on progress businesses and multi-family properties that have implemented recycling programs.

Who Must Recycle
State law requires the following businesses and multi-family communities to arrange for recycling services:

  • Any business that generates 4 cubic yards or more of trash per week; and
  • Multi-family communities with five or more units.

How to Arrange for Recycling Services

  • Businesses and multi-family communities that meet the threshold requirements must arrange for recycling services. Please contact Republic’s customer service department to schedule a free audit and site check to determine which recycling containers will work best for you (714) 238-3300.
  • Business and multi-family communities may also donate or sell recyclable materials. This includes self-hauling the materials to recycling facilities.

Recycling Services Offered by Republic Services
Republic services offer FREE on-site evaluations to increase recycling and reducing waste generated on your premises. The visit can help customize recycling and containers to meet your needs.

Republic offers containers based on your space and specific needs. Currently, Republic offers 64-gallon carts or 3 cubic yard bins for source separated recycling containers. If you have any questions or would like to begin a Republic recycling program, please call (714) 238-3300 or visit their website at http://site.republicservices.com/site/garden-grove-ca/en/pages/home.aspx.

Opportunities to Save Resources and Help the Environment
Recycling conserves resources and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. It extends the life of our landfills and helps create a healthy environment for our community and future generations.

Reduce Waste
Waste prevention is something your business can do today that can significantly reduce the amount of waste that is disposed at local landfills. Waste prevention is any practice that causes a reduction in the generation of waste. Here are some simple and inexpensive ideas:

  • Make double-sided copies
  • Email or post information on an announcement board
  • Use ceramic mugs for coffee
  • Reuse large envelopes, boxes and packaging materials
  • Use scrap paper for notes
  • Buy products that can be recycled

Be Sure to Educate Your Employees and Tenants

Employees and tenants are key to a successful recycling program. Please make sure your employees and tenants know which materials can be recycled and where to place the recyclable materials for temporary storage and ultimate collection.

What Not to Place in Recycling Bins
Some hazardous waste can be recycled if handled properly. Other types of hazardous waste must be sent to a special facility. Of course, no hazardous waste should be placed in trash or recycling containers.

  • Hazardous waste such as batteries, paint, antifreeze, chemicals and cleaning products should not be mixed in with your recyclable materials set out for collection. Instead, these hazardous wastes should be recycled or disposed of properly. For more information about proper handling, please visit http://www.oclandfills.com/hazardous/
  • Electronic devices such as old computers, monitors, TVs, and cell phones are recyclable but also contain hazardous materials. They should not be placed in trash or recycling bins. For more information about how to manage these items, visit http://www.oclandfills.com/hazardous/

Where to Go for More Information
Information about California’s business and multi-family recycling requirements is available from the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) at https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/recycle/commercial/

Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling

Assembly Bill 1826 was signed by Governor Brown on September 28, 2014. It places requirements on businesses, multi-family premises, and jurisdictions to divert organic waste from landfills. Organic waste means food waste, green waste, landscape and pruning waste, nonhazardous wood waste, and food-soiled paper waste that is mixed in with food waste.

Organic waste accounts for approximately 40% of the material in landfills that Californians dispose of annually. Most organic waste is recyclable through methods such as composting, mulching, and anaerobic digestion. Recycling organic waste not only saves our valuable landfill space, but also creates green jobs.

Overview of AB 1826 Requirements:
Obligations for organics recycling began in 2016 and ramping up over a 5 year period as summarized below.

Deadline
Requirements for Businesses and Multi-family Premises

April 1, 2016
Businesses with 8 cubic yards of organic waste per week*

January 1, 2017
Business with 4 cubic yards of organic waste per week*

January 1, 2019
Businesses with 4 cubic yards of commercial solid waste per week*

January 1, 2020
Business with 2 cubic yards of commercial solid waste ** per week *

* ”Businesses” includes multi-family premises with 5 units or more that generate the threshold amount of waste. However, multi-family properties are not required to recycle food waste only landscaping/green waste.

** Applicable only if CalRecycle determines by January 1, 2020, that the statewide disposal of organic waste has not been reduced to 50% of the 2014 disposal level.

The City of Garden Grove, in partnership with Republic Services, established a source separated organics recycling program that is available to all Garden Grove businesses and multi-family complexes that meet the thresholds of AB 1826. To find out if your business qualifies for the program, simply contact Republic Services at (714) 238-3300.

Republic Services is offering two container sizes for source separated organics recycling for Garden Grove customers, a 64-gallon cart or a 2 cubic yard bin. If you are interested in implementing a food waste recycling program through Republic Services please visit their website at http://site.republicservices.com/site/garden-grove-ca/en/pages/home.aspx or call (714) 238-3300.

If your multi-family complex falls under the thresholds AB 1826 and already diverts green waste through the use of a landscape service please report this information directly to Republic Services by calling (714) 238-3300. Be prepared to supply your landscaper’s information and if possible, the facility they deliver the landscape materials to.

In the meantime, checkout the following resources to learn how you can start saving money and reducing food waste today!

https://www.wastenotoc.org/
https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food
http://www.foodfinders.org/food-donations/
https://foodfinder.us/

Visit https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/recycle/commercial/organics to learn more about the State of California’s Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling Law.