Recycling Q&A for Businesses

If you own a business, there’s important info you should know

In California, state laws require all commercial and multifamily units to recycle.

In addition, if you generate at least 4 cubic yards of solid waste per week, you must comply with a state law requiring businesses to establish organics waste recycling programs. Depending on your business type, you may need to establish a yard waste or a food waste recycling program. If you are an eligible business owner who does not yet have one of these programs, please contact us and we’ll refer you to the proper channels to discuss your compliance options.

Call us at 805-642-9236 – or call our partners at E.J. Harrison & Sons directly, at 805-647-1414

Here are frequently asked questions and answers about our state recycling regulations:

Is it mandatory for businesses to recycle? Yes, California Assembly Bill 341 requires all businesses and apartment complexes to recycle.

Why? Recycling is required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to clean the waste stream; to reduce materials going to landfills; and to clean out our waterways, from creeks to oceans.

What’s the goal? The state has set a goal of diverting 75% of the waste stream from the landfill to recycling centers.

What CAN be recycled? All hard plastics, boxes (e.g. cereal, cracker, shoe), aluminum and metal cans, glass containers, newspapers, magazines, cardboard, drink cartons, and paper including junk mail.

What CAN’T be recycled? No plastic bags, shrink wrap, film plastic, Styrofoam or hazardous waste, including pesticides and cleaners.

About the organics waste program: What goes into those containers? Depending on your program type, you may throw green waste only or you may through food waste only (such as eggs, dairy products, grains, pasta, vegetables, fruits, meats, poultry and fish.)

Where does the organic waste go? It is transported to a local composting facility managed by our partners at Agromin.

Still have questions? Call us at 805-642-9236.