Section 42649.81.
Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 42649.81.
in effect(a)
(1)
A business that generates four cubic yards or more of commercial solid waste, as defined in Section 42649.1, per week, shall arrange for recycling services specifically for organic waste in the manner specified in subdivision (b).
(2)
On or after
January 1, 2020, if the department determines that statewide disposal of organic waste has not been reduced to 50 percent of the level of disposal during 2014, a business that generates two cubic yards or more per week of commercial solid waste shall arrange for the organic waste recycling services specified in paragraph (1), unless the department determines that this requirement will not result in significant additional reductions of organics disposal.
(3)
A business located
in a rural jurisdiction that is exempted pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 42649.82 is not subject to this chapter.
(b)
A business subject to subdivision (a) shall take at least one of the following actions:
(1)
Source separate organic waste from other waste and subscribe to a basic level of organic waste recycling service that includes collection and recycling of organic waste.
(2)
Recycle its organic waste onsite or self-haul its own organic waste for recycling.
(3)
Subscribe to an organic waste recycling service that may include mixed waste processing that specifically recycles organic waste.
(4)
Make other arrangements consistent with paragraph (3) of subdivision
(b) of Section 42649.84.
(c)
A business that is a property owner may require a lessee or tenant of that property to source separate their organic waste to aid in compliance with this section.
(d)
(1)
A business subject to subdivision (a) and that provides customers access to the business shall provide customers with an organic waste recycling bin or container to collect material purchased on the premises for immediate consumption and that fulfills all of the following requirements:
(A)
Is
in the same area as a bin or container for trash other than recyclable organic waste, except in restrooms.
(B)
Is visible and easily accessible.
(C)
Is clearly marked with educational signage indicating what is appropriate to place in the organic waste recycling bin or container in accordance with state law and the local jurisdiction’s solid waste ordinances and practices.
(2)
Full-service restaurants are exempt from the requirements of this subdivision if the full-service restaurant provides its employees an organic waste recycling bin or container to collect
material purchased on the premises for immediate consumption and implements a program to collect recyclable organic waste.
(3)
With respect to a park that is subject to subdivision (a), both of the following apply:
(A)
This subdivision only applies to permanent, nonmobile food service facilities with dedicated seating areas that are not full-service restaurants.
(B)
In lieu of providing an organic waste recycling bin or container as required by paragraph (1), a facility identified in this paragraph may implement a process for recycling organic waste from customers that yields results comparable to or greater in volume and quality to results attained by providing an organic waste recycling bin or container.
(4)
The department shall develop model signage that businesses may
use in implementing paragraph (1).
(5)
For a park that is subject to subdivision (a), this subdivision shall apply on and after January 1, 2022.
(e)
A business generating organic waste shall arrange for the recycling services required by this section in a manner that is consistent with state and local laws and requirements, including a local ordinance or local jurisdiction’s franchise agreement, applicable to the collection, handling, or recycling of solid and organic waste.
(f)
When arranging for
gardening or landscaping services, the contract or work agreement between a business subject to this section and a gardening or landscaping service shall require that the organic waste generated by those services be managed in compliance with this chapter.
(g)
(1)
A multifamily residential dwelling that consists of fewer than five units is not a business for purposes of this chapter.
(2)
A business that is a multifamily dwelling is not required to arrange for the organic waste recycling services specified in subdivision (b) for food waste that is generated by the business.
(h)
If separate organic waste collection and recycling services are not offered through a local ordinance or local jurisdiction’s franchise agreement, a business generating organic waste may arrange for separate organic waste
collection and recycling services, until the local ordinance or local jurisdiction’s franchise agreement includes organic waste recycling services.
References
referencesCal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 42649.1.
referencesCal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 42649.82.
referencesCal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 42649.84.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026