Mandatory Organic Recycling

Mandatory Commercial Organic Recycling Requirements - AB 1826

The State of California enacted new legislation, AB 1826, a Mandatory Commercial Organic Recycling provision affecting businesses and multi-family dwellings that becomes effective April 1, 2016.  Below are the requirements of the new regulations and information to assist you with compliance.

Who Must Recycle?

California State law requires the following businesses to arrange for recycling services, effective April 1, 2016.
  • Any business that generates 2 cubic yards or more of solid waste per week.
  • Multi-family dwellings with five or more units. 
What Must Be Recycled?

Businesses will need to recycle the following types of organic waste: food waste, green waste, landscape and pruning waste, nonhazardous wood waste, and food soiled paper.
Multi-family dwellings must recycle their green waste only.

 What Do You Need To Do?

 A recycling program needs to be arranged by April 1, 2016.

Recycling options include:

  • Arrange for organic recycling service through your franchise hauler: Gilton Solid Waste 209-527-3781, www.gilton.com
  • Recycle your organic waste on-site or self-haul the material to an organic recycling facility.
  •  Make arrangements to donate, sell and/or arrange for pickup of the organic material.

 What You Need to Know:

The minimum organic recycling mandate threshold levels will be lowered and triggered by timelines and quantities.  Here are the start dates:

            April 1, 2016 - generators of 8 or more cubic yards or organic waste per week.
            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 - generators of 2 or more cubic yards of solid waste per week (pending statewide progress).

 Where to go for More Information:

Gilton Solid Waste Management, Inc. (209) 527-3781, www.gilton.com

California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, CalRecycle's website: https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Recycle/commercial/organics/

 If you have any additional questions, please contact us at (209) 863-7127.

 Thank you for your cooperation with Recycling in Riverbank!

Information on the State Recycling Requirements for Businesses and Multi-Family Dwellings and types of materials to recycle