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Mandatory Organics Recycling & Edible Food Recovery

  

Organic Waste Recycling 

Organic waste (food scraps, yard trimmings, and food-soiled paper) constitutes more than a third of the materials going to landfill. As a result, Assembly Bill 1826 requires commercial businesses such as restaurants, supermarkets, large venues and food processors to separate organic waste and arrange for collection services.

The City of Santa Clara adopted Ordinance No. 1947 to align with the state's AB1826 requirements. 

Date

Threshold to arrange for organic waste recycling services 
 April 1, 2016 Commercial Businesses generating eight (8) cubic
yards or more of Organic Waste per week
 July 1, 2016 Commercial Businesses at Industrial properties
generating four (4) cubic yards or more of Refuse per week
 January 1, 2017 Commercial Businesses zoned for non-Industrial
use generating form (4) cubic yards or more of Organic Waste per week
 January 1, 2019 Commercial Businesses zoned for non-Industrial
use generating four (4) cubic yards or more of Refuse per week


Commercial businesses are covered! Organic waste is collected in the garbage container and is delivered to a mixed waste processing facility where it is separated from the garbage and ultimately made into compost material.

If your business is located in an industrial zoning district, check with your hauler to see what materials they accept through their organics collection program.

Mission Trail Waste Systems 408-727-5365 
GW Debris Service 408-283-4819 
Recology South Bay  408-970-5100 
Republic Services of Santa Clara County  408-432-1234 

Edible Food Recovery

To reduce unnecessary food waste and help address food insecurity, Senate Bill 1383 (SB1383) requires that by 2025, California will recover and redistribute 20 percent of edible food that would have otherwise be sent to landfills. This law directs that:

  • EPAFoodRecoveryHierarchyJurisdictions must establish edible food recovery outreach and inspection programs, help connect mandated edible food generators with food recovery organizations/services, and ensure there is sufficient county-wide capacity for all the recovered edible food.
  • Mandated edible food generators must arrange to recover the maximum amount of their edible food that would otherwise go to landfills. They must establish contracts with food recovery organizations/services that will accept their edible food and keep records of all edible food recovery.
  • Food recovery organizations and services that work with mandated edible food generators must maintain and submit records of edible food recovery.

Jurisdictions in Santa Clara County are working together to provide a countywide food recovery network. For more information on these efforts, including potential food recovery organizations and services, as well as other resources aimed at assisting with compliance with new state SB1383 regulations, please visit Santa Clara County's Food Recovery Program. 

For more information, please contact the Environmental Programs Division at Environment@SantaClaraCA.gov or call 408-615-3080. 

Last Updated:
05-02-2025