AB 1826 - Commercial & Multi-Family Organics Recycling

AB 1826 - Commercial Multi-Family Organics Recycling Flyer

What is Assembly Bill (AB) 1826?

In October of 2014, Governor Brown signed AB 1826 , requiring businesses to recycle their organic waste on and after April 1, 2016, depending on the amount of waste they generate per week.  Effective January 1, 2016, AB 1826 (Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling) places requirements on businesses, multi-family residences and jurisdictions to divert organic waste from the landfills. 

What is Organic Waste?

  • Food scraps - all solid, semi-solid, and liquid food such as fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat, bones, poultry, seafood, bread, rice, pasta
  • Food-soiled paper - uncoated paper soiled by food waste such as napkins, paper towels, paper cups, fast food wrappers and take-out boxes, egg cartons, used pizza boxes, wax-coated cardboard, other paper and compostable food packaging
  • Yard trimmings include grass clippings, leaves, flowers, hedge clippings, and weeds.  Non-hazardous wood waste includes tree branches, tree trunks, and untreated lumber.

Who is Required to Have Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling 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. 

The City of Cudahy, in conjunction with its hauler Republic Services, has identified the businesses that will be regulated within each tier and will be performing ongoing outreach, education, and monitoring. In addition, the City is also required to monitor activities to identify those not recycling and to inform them of the law and how to recycle organics in the jurisdiction.

For any further support or if you would like to report your business’ diversion efforts, please contact Andres Rangel, Management Analyst at (323) 773-5143 or by email at [email protected]