Organic wastes are recyclable through composting and mulching, and through anaerobic digestion, which can produce renewable energy. In an effort to achieve California's recycling and greenhouse gas emission goals, in 2016, the State began implementing AB 1826 Legislation (Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling) in a tiered approach..

As of January 1, 2019, any business or multi-family residential dwellings of five units or more that generate four cubic yards or more of solid waste per week (total for trash, recycling and organics) must recycle their organic waste.

As of December 31, 2020, any business or multi-family residential dwellings of five units or more that generate two cubic yards or more of solid waste per week (total for trash, recycling and organics) must recycle their organic waste.

For detailed information on the requirements go to CalRecycle's website.

Effective July 1, 2020, MCR and MORe covered businesses must provide organics and recycling containers at front-of-house to collect waste generated from products purchased and consumed on the premises (AB 827, McCarty, Chapter 441, Statutes of 2019).  These containers must be placed adjacent to trash containers and be visible, easily accessible, and clearly marked.

This law impacts businesses that sell products meant for immediate consumption.

Full-service restaurants do not have to provide containers for patrons, but must provide containers for employees to separate post-consumer recyclables and organics for customers.

In September 2016, Governor Brown signed into law SB 1383 (Lara, Chapter 395, Statutes of 2016), establishing methane emissions reduction targets in a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP) in various sectors of California's economy. The following are the goals of SB 1383:

1. Achieve a 50 percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2020

2. Achieve a 75 percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste by 2025

The law also requires the state to increase edible food recovery by 20 percent by 2025.

The SB 1383 regulations go into effect on January 1, 2022. Please review the following dates:

• January 1, 2020: The state must achieve a 50 percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level no later than this date

• January 1, 2022: CalRecycle's regulations to meet the organic waste reduction targets for 2020 and 2025 take effect and are enforceable on this date

• January 1, 2024: Effective on this date, the regulations may require local jurisdictions to impose penalties for non-compliance on generators within their jurisdiction

• January 1, 2025: By this date, the state must achieve a 75 percent reduction in the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level. Also, not less than 20 percent of currently disposed of edible food must be recovered for human consumption

For details information on the requirements go to CalRecycle's Website.