California Mandatory Organics Recycling Law (AB 1826)requires all businesses (including multi-family communities with 5 or more units) that generate 2 cubic yards of waste per week to arrange for organic recycling services.

New Statewide SB 1383 Organics Regulations require all businesses to follow certain rules regarding waste sorting, collection, and education. These rules also apply to all multi-family properties with more than 5 units. While having access to recycling and organics recycling service has been required by State and local law for a number of years, new statewide regulations under SB 1383: Short-Lived Climate Pollutants will require significant changes to the way that businesses and residents statewide manage their waste. 

SB 1383 establishes statewide targets to reduce the amount of organic waste disposed of in landfills (50% reduction by 2020 and 75% by 2025). It also sets a goal to rescue at least 20% of currently disposed edible food by 2025 and redirect that food to people in need.

From 2016-2020, the California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) worked to develop regulations to achieve the goals of SB 1383. These new regulations were finalized by CalRecycle in November 2020 and took effect in January 2022.

Multi-family complexes must arrange for recycling services for the same material with the exception of food waste and food-soiled paper.

Please refer to the Multi-Family Guide for more information.