Organics Recycling

SB 1383 (2016) Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy

What is Senate Bill (SB) 1383?

SB 1383 targets the reduction of methane emissions from landfills. The law establishes targets to achieve a 75% reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organics waste from the 2014 level by 2025. It also requires that at least 20% of currently disposed edible food be recovered for human consumption statewide by 2025.

For more information on SB 1383, visit AthensServices.com/SB-1383. 

Who Does This SB 1383 Apply To?

Beginning January 1, 2022, all businesses, multifamily complexes, and single-family home residents are required to subscribe to an organics collection service and must separate into their green organics containers ALL of their green waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper (100% fiber-based). For a full breakdown of acceptable materials, check out Athens Services’ interactive What Goes Where guide at CanIRecycleMy.com.

What is required of Edible Food Generators (EFG)?

EFGs (considered Tier 1 and Tier 2) must recover the maximum amount of edible food that would otherwise be disposed of, arrange for food donation and collection through contracts or written agreements with food recovery organizations or services, and maintain food donation records.

For more information on food donation and how to find a food recovery organization, visit AthensServices.com/FoodDonation.

To learn more about SB 1383’s requirements, visit

CalRecycle.ca.gov/Organics/SLCP.

AB 1826 (2014) Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling

Assembly Bill (AB) 1826 requires businesses and multifamily buildings (of 5 or more units) that generate 2 cubic yards or more of solid waste per week to arrange for organics recycling services. As of January 1, 2022, all businesses are required to follow the SB 1383 regulations.

To learn more about AB 1826’s requirements, visit CalRecycle.ca.gov/Recycle/Commercial/Organics.

AB 341 (2011) Mandatory Commercial Recycling

To further California’s recycling efforts, Assembly Bill (AB) 341 established a statewide recycling goal of 75% by 2020. This law requires California commercial or public entities that generate four or more cubic yards of solid waste per week, and multifamily dwellings of five or more units, to arrange for recycling services. As of January 1, 2022, all businesses and multifamily dwellings (of all sizes) are required to follow the SB 1383 regulations.

To learn more about AB 341’s requirements, visit CalRecycle.ca.gov/Recycle/Commercial.

Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling - AB 1826

In October 2014, California passed Assembly Bill 1826 requiring all businesses, including multi-family dwellings, to recycle their organic waste. By January 1, 2016, all California jurisdictions were required to implement an organics recycling program, and by April 1, 2016, all businesses that generated at least 8 cubic yards of organic waste per week were required to recycle that material.
Organics waste includes food scraps, green waste, landscape and pruning waste, non-hazardous food waste and paper waste that has been soiled with food.
As the leading local recycling and waste services company, Athens Services has developed a strategic plan to educate, collect, and recycle all organics waste produced by our customers. Questions? Visit the Athens Services website for more information.
For more information on this state mandate, visit the Cal-Recycle website.
Mandatory Commercial Recycling - AB 341
If you are an Athens Services customer, then YES – you are compliant with AB 341! Athens Services is at the forefront of recycling, investing in the facilities and technology that improve our environment and prepare our communities for the future.
In October 2011, Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill (AB) 341 into law, setting a 75% recycling goal for California by the year 2020. This landmark piece of legislation mandated that all California commercial or public entities that generate 4 or more cubic yards of solid waste per week, and multifamily dwellings of 5 or more units, must arrange recycling services. Jurisdictions determined compliance measures and due dates.
The law required commercial waste generators to implement a recycling program, and all Athens customers have a compliant program. We make recycling convenient for our customers by utilizing a single bin. Our advanced Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) enables us to separate recyclables from waste to ensure AB 341 compliance. As a result, our customers enjoy the benefits of the most convenient, efficient, and economical single-bin recycling method. For more information, visit the Athens Services website.
For more information on this state mandate, visit the Cal-Recycle website.