Mandatory Recycling & Organics Laws
Sonoma County Resource Recovery remains a leader in waste diversion and recycling.
California has passed several laws related to waste reduction, resource conservation and greenhouse gas emission reduction. Four laws in particular affect commercial businesses and multifamily dwellings with five (5) or more units: AB 341 Mandatory Commercial Recycling; AB 1826 Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling; AB 827; and SB 1383 Short-lived Climate Pollutants Reduction Strategy. Of these four laws, only SB 1383 affects single-family residences and multifamily dwellings with less than 5 units.
Mandatory California Organics Law
SB 1383: Short-Lived Climate Pollutants
In 2016 Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 1383 into law, setting strict standards for methane emissions in California to combat climate change. Food waste in landfills is one of California’s largest sources of methane, which is a super pollutant and has 84 times more warming potential than carbon dioxide. To tackle this problem, the law sets a strict goal to reduce food waste in landfills by 50% by 2020, and 75% by 2025. This means that all that food waste needs to be diverted from the regular landfill into organics recycling programs, such as composting or using scraps for animal feed. This new law mandates organics recycling and will go into effect on January 1, 2022. For more information and the full bill text, visit https://zerowastesonoma.gov/sb1383.
Residents are required to use their green curbside cart and properly sort organic material out of the landfill. For information on what can be placed in the organics cart
Multi-family properties will be required to divert organics and yard waste from the landfill into the green cart. It is also mandatory to provide organics containers (alongside garbage and recycling) on premises for tenants, staff, etc. New tenants must receive information on proper waste sorting within 14 days of move-in. Property managers must provide annual education to all tenants on proper sorting. See our Multi-Family Service Guide for more information.
Businesses will be required to divert organics and yard waste from the landfill into the green cart. This can be done through SCRR’s collection services or via self-haul; however, if self-hauling organics, be sure to keep records of tonnage in the event of an audit. Businesses are also required to provide organics containers (alongside garbage and recycling) on premises for employees, customers, etc. See our Commercial Service Guide for more information.
Download a template letter announcing new organics recycling at your business. (ENGLISH) (SPANISH)
Edible Food Recovery
The law also mandates that 20% of edible food be recovered to feed people who experience food insecurity. Certain businesses will be required to donate excess edible food that would otherwise be thrown away. This responsibility lies on “Tier 1” and “Tier 2” businesses. Tier 1 includes wholesale food producers, supermarkets, food distributors, etc. Tier 2 includes large restaurants, large venues with food service, etc. Zero Waste Sonoma will be reaching out to both Tier 1 and Tier 2 businesses to create a food donation plan.
SB 1383 Waste Audits: Checking Bins for Contamination
SB 1383 went into effect January 1, 2022. It requires all residents and businesses to properly sort waste items into their corresponding bins.
This law also requires that we conduct “lid flip” audits for garbage, recycling, and organics containers, which is a visual inspection where we check for contamination. A “contaminated” waste bin is another way of saying it contains material that should have gone in a different bin.
The main objective of these waste audits is to ensure California residents are preventing recyclable/compostable material from reaching the landfill, where they produce harmful gases that contribute to climate change. It also ensures our recycling facilities are receiving clean material that they can process and sell to manufacturers, which allows our waste to be repurposed instead of having no end-value.
How will waste audits be conducted?
- Staff from Sonoma County Resource Recovery will be conducting the audits.
- They will look into each container to check if the correct materials are in the containers. If they find that you have placed something that does not belong, you will be mailed a letter of notice that shows you how to fix the mistake.
- Our outreach department may contact you and offer suggestions on how to avoid contamination in the future.
- A fine can be issued if frequent contamination is noticed. However, we want to prevent these penalties from happening by providing recycling education.
- If you have any questions, please call us at 707-795-7470 and we are happy to support you with staying in-compliance with SB 1383.
A Complete Guide to Your Green Cart
Senate Bill 1383 has finally come into effect, and it’s important to use your green cart as much as you possibly can. You may find that some of the items you’ve always thought were garbage can actually be composted! Sebastopol’s compostables are taken to Cold Creek Compost in Ukiah, California. Here’s an exhaustive list of what materials Cold Creek accepts and turns into natural fertilizers and soil amendments:
Food Materials
Fruits and vegetables (including rinds, peels, pits, and shells)
Bread, grains, rice, and pasta
Coffee grounds and tea leaves
Dairy products
Leftover and spoiled food (packaging removed)
Meat (including bones)
Seafood (including shellfish and shells)
Soiled Paper Products
- Greasy pizza boxes and paper bags
- Paper coffee filters and tea bags
- Paper napkins and paper towels
- Paper plates (non-coated)*
- Paper take-out boxes and containers (non-coated)
*An easy way to determine if plates or containers are coated is if they are shiny or “grease resistant”. This normally means there is a coating of either plastic or wax, which cannot be composted.
Green Materials
- All plant debris (landscape pruning, flowers, leaves, weeds)
- Tree trimmings (including branches, stumps and trunks)*
*Make sure fragments are small enough that the lid can close completely
Other Materials
- Cooking grease (small amounts soaked up with paper towel)
- Cotton balls and cotton swabs with paper sticks
- Hair (non-synthetic and non-colored)
- Wood ashes (cold)
- Wood chips
- Wood materials: small pieces of clean wood/sawdust (no plywood, painted/stained/treated wood)
- Wooden chopsticks, stirrers, and toothpicks
The following is a list of items that are not allowed in the green cart:
- Aluminum foil or trays
- Biodegradable or compostable plastics
- Carpet
- Ceramic dishware or glassware
- Concrete or rocks
- Diapers
- Flower pots or trays
- Foil or plastic-backed plastic
- Garbage
- Glass
- Household hazardous waste
- Insulation
- Medical waste including needles and sharps
- Metal
- Parchment/wax paper
- Plastic products including bags, bottles, containers, and wrap
- Recyclables
- Styrofoam
- Wood (plywood, press board, painted/stained/treated wood)
Learn More About SB 1383:
- Read the full bill text of SB 1383 here.
- Visit the CalRecycle website.
- Visit the City of Sebastopol’s website for more information and to read the full details of the ordinance.
SCRR will continue to provide organics service to residences, businesses, and multifamily properties. For those who are not currently recycling organics, we can set up service and provide training or educational materials to help with the transition to mandated organics recycling. Email info@sonomacorr.com to inquire about setting up service.
Together we can reduce the effects of climate change and food insecurity by properly disposing of food waste.
For information from the City, visit https://www.cityofsebastopol.gov/?s=sb+1383.
AB 341 & AB 1826: Commercial & Multifamily Recycling Laws
These laws affect commercial businesses (including public entities) and multifamily dwellings with five (5) or more units.
AB 341: Mandatory Commercial Recycling
The State of California has passed legislation requiring the collection of food scraps from all businesses. Sonoma County Resource Recovery will be working with each of you to ensure compliance and the best possible rates.
What Kinds of Materials Need to be Diverted?
Under AB 341, aluminum, paper (cardboard, mixed officer paper, aluminum); plastics (no thin film or bags); and glass need to be separated from the trash and placed inside a recycling container serviced by the City’s franchise hauler, Republic Services. Businesses also have the option of self-hauling materials to a recycling center and maintaining receipts need to be kept as proof of diversion. However, recycling service still must be implemented if other recyclables (that cannot be taken to a recycling center) are still present in the waste stream.
- If you are interested in proactively scheduling a recycling opportunity assessment, click here.
If you would like to submit an exemption request, Click here.
AB 1826: Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling
California Assembly Bill 1826 (AB 1826) aims to reduce organic material from being sent to the landfill and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Please note as of January 1, 2022, SB 1383 will supersede AB 1826. As of January 1, 2021, businesses that generate 2 cubic yards of material (garbage + recycling + organics)or more per week to have an organics program. Multifamily dwellings 5 units or more are required to recycle their landscape waste.
Who is Required to Have Mandatory AB 1826 Services?
Commercial businesses must recycle all organics, including food scraps and yard/green waste. Effective September 15, 2020, all businesses generating 2 cubic yards or more of commercial solid waste and 20 gallons or more of organic waste per week shall arrange for organic waste recycling service
Multi-family residential complexes with 5 or more units are required to recycle their yard/green waste (e.g.: landscaping) under AB 1826. At this time, multi-family complexes are encouraged to recycle food waste but are not required to do so.
If you are interested in knowing more about AB 1826, click here.
©2025 Sonoma County Resource Recovery. All rights reserved.