Changes in law affect organic waste disposal

Shafter business owners, public entities (schools/school districts) and multifamily dwellings with 5 or more units.

As a service, American Refuse would like to make you aware of a change in an existing law. The change in the law begin this month, January 2019.

AB1826, the mandatory organics recycling law of April 1, 2016, requires businesses (including public entities), school/school districts and multifamily residential dwellings (5 units or more) with 4+ cubic yards of organic waste to arrange for organics recycling.

On Jan. 1, 2019, the law changed to require businesses generating 4 cubic yards of "trash" will need to sign up for organic services.

American Refuse can help businesses, public entities, and multifamily dwellings with education and proper containers for recycling organics. Our staff can assist your business and can devise a program to achieve compliance. If you are an existing customer and would like to know if you meet the threshold, please call our office and speak to our recycling coordinator. We can arrange for a site visit to assist with compliance.

What goes in an organics recycling container?

Food scraps, soiled paper products (paper plates, paper napkins, paper cups), milk cartons, green waste (yard trimmings, grass, leaves, no palms).

The intended purpose of AB 1826 is to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by diverting organic waste (grass clippings, yard waste, food waste) to composting. When organics are left to decompose on their own, they are a source of emissions contributing to greenhouse gases. When recycled, they become a renewable energy, a fuel source and compost for our farm lands. For more information on this law visit calrecycle.ca.gov/recycle/commercial/organics/.

Your business may also be eligible to "self-certify" if you are recycling materials, including organics, on your own. Please call the American Refuse office for more information on how you can self-certify for compliance.