Mandatory Recycling and Organics Collection Service for Businesses

In 2014, Assembly Bill 1826 required businesses and multifamily buildings generating 2 cubic yards or more of solid waste per week to arrange for organics recycling services. In 2016, California State Bill 1383 expanded these requirements. As of January 1, 2022:

• All businesses and multifamily properties must subscribe to organics recycling service
• All organic waste (food scraps, green waste, food-soiled paper) must be separated into the green container
• Jurisdictions must reduce landfill disposal of organic waste by 75% from 2014 levels by 2025
• At least 20% of edible food must be recovered for human consumption

In 2023, the City of Los Angeles adopted Ordinance No. 187711, requiring all businesses and residential properties to subscribe to and participate in recycling and organics recycling programs. Failure to comply may result in enforcement actions, including administrative citations and penalties. Beginning January 2024, commercial and multifamily properties without organics recycling service are subject to penalties under Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 66.07.

All recyclable materials must be clean and dry when placed in the bin or dumpster. Accepted items include: 

• Paper & Cardboard: Junk mail, newspapers, cereal boxes, and flattened delivery boxes. 
• Plastics 1, 2, and 5: Clean plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs (like yogurt or margarine containers).  
• Glass: Bottles and jars (any color).  
• Metal: Aluminum cans, tin cans, and clean foil.  

Putting the wrong things in the blue bin or dumpster can ruin a whole truckload of recycling. Please keep these out:

• Broken Glass and Dishware: These cannot be recycled and belong in the black bin.
• Food & Liquids: These belong in the Green Bin or Black Bin.  
• Hazardous Waste: Batteries, light bulbs, paint, and chemicals.  
• Electronic Waste: POS systems, computers, monitors, printers, server racks, cash registers, vacuums, or anything with a plug or battery should never be placed in the recycling or trash.
• Oversized Items: Broken appliances or machinery, furniture, fixtures, signage. 
• Construction Debris: Carpeting, drywall, pipes, 
• "Tanglers": Hoses, cables, wires, and holiday lights can break sorting machines.

• Fruits, vegetables
• Dairy, eggshells
• Bread, cereal, grains, rice, pasta, beans
• Meat, bone, fish, shells
• Coffee grounds and filters
• Food soiled paper products including greasy napkins and pizza boxes
• Yard waste, flowers, grass clippings, tree trimmings
• Clean untreated wood 
• Natural wood chopsticks (clean, untreated, not lacquered)
• 100% natural bamboo (clean, untreated, not coated)
• Natural corks (consider a web search for "cork recycling" for drop-off locations)

Compostable and biodegradable items belong in the trash.

Items labeled “compostable” or “biodegradable” often do not break down quickly enough in commercial composting facilities. Please do not put these items in your green bin or dumpster. Instead, you can put compostable utensils, bags, and other biodegradable or compostable items in the black bin (trash), where they will decompose in the landfill over time.

Depending on your waste make up and site conditions, your business may be eligible for a waiver from the requirement of mandatory organics collection. If you believe your business/property meets the eligibility conditions, please select the link below and complete the form to submit a SB 1383 Waiver Request. The City will evaluate your request and notify you of your waiver determination.

recycLA customers may be eligible for waiver if one of the waiver criteria below are met.

De minimis Waiver

• The commercial business’s total solid waste collection service is two (2) cubic yards or more per week and organic waste subject to collection in a blue container or a green container as specified in Section 18984.1(a) comprises less than 20 gallons per week per applicable container of the business’ total waste.
• The commercial business’s total solid waste collection service is less than two (2) cubic yards per week and organic waste subject to collection in a blue container or a green container as specified in Section 18984.1(a) comprises less than 10 gallons per week per applicable container of the business’ total waste.

Physical Space Waiver

• The City may waive a commercial business’ or property owner’s obligation to comply with the organic waste collection service requirements if the commercial business or property owner provides documentation, or the jurisdiction has evidence from its staff, a hauler, licensed architect, or licensed engineer demonstrating that the premises lack adequate space for any of the organic waste container configurations allowed under the SB 1383 regulations.

How to Request a Waiver
If you believe your business/property meets the eligibility conditions above, please complete the form. The City will evaluate your request and notify you of your waiver determination. 

• recycLA waiver Request form in English 
• recycLA waiver Request form in Spanish

Please call LASAN’s 24-hour Customer Care Center at 1-800-773-2489 or visit MyLA311.lacity.gov to:

• Request a waste assessment
• Set up organics recycling service
• Ask questions about compliance or requirements