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Mandatory Commercial Recycling

New law requires businesses to recycle. With the passage of AB 341 (Jobs and Recycling) on October 6, 2011, businesses are required to recycle. The purpose of the law is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by diverting commercial solid waste to recycling efforts. According to the State, the commercial sector generates nearly three fourths of the solid waste in California. In Sonoma County, it is estimated that 70% of what is being landfilled in Sonoma County could be recycled.

When will the law take effect?

Your recycling program must be in place by July 1, 2012 in order to comply with state law.

Which businesses must comply with the law?

• Businesses and public entities means any commercial or public entity that generates 4 cubic yards or more of commercial solid waste per week, including but not limited to, a firm, partnership, proprietorship, joint-stock company, corporation, or association that is organized as a for-profit or non-profit entity, strip mall (e.g. property complex containing two or more commercial entities), industrial facility, school, school district, California State University, community colleges, University of California, special district or a federal, state, local, regional agency or facility.
• Multifamily dwellings means residential dwellings of 5 units or more regardless of the amount of commercial solid waste generated.

The economic benefits of recycling:

• No cost for single-stream recycling. Save money by reducing your garbage & increasing your recycling. The cost for disposal services is based on your level of garbage service. The more material recycled, the less you pay in disposal. Contact your waste hauler to learn more about reducing overall costs.

What materials should be recycled?

What can be recycled will vary by business. However, this program targets mainly single-stream recycling where paper and bottles and cans are mixed together. These items are then locally processed for recycling at a materials recovery facility.

Does your business throw vegetable food waste in the garbage? If your business would like options for composting, visit commercial food waste composting.

How to get started?

It's easy to start or expand your single-stream recycling program.

• Learn what items can be recycled in the single-stream program to help educate employees or tenants.
• Enter into a service agreement with your franchised hauler or other commercial recycler. See chart Commercial & Multifamily Dwellings service providers.

  or

  Self-haul recyclables to a drop-off recycling center.

Note: Any business or individual may donate, sell and/or otherwise arrange for the pickup of recyclable materials.

Register your recycling compliance:

Between February-June, 2012, Sonoma County businesses received a letter and pre-paid postcard (PDF: 840 kB) at their listed business location explaining the new requirement. Businesses were encouraged to return the postcard registering their compliance. After the initial mailing, businesses were contacted by phone, email and/or in person to assess the current recycling program in place.

Businesses can register their compliance by contacting us at recycling@sonoma-county.org or (707)565-2722 or (707)565-3375.

Business assistance:

Get a free on-site waste assessment

• Agency staff visit to assess your individual waste needs and help you save money.
• Sonoma County Recycling Guide (English & Spanish) versions.
• Posters/letters for single-stream recycling education and education about the law.
• Recycling containers for indoor use.
  
  Please note supplies are limited.

For more information, contact us at recycling@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-2413 or (707) 565-3375.

Single-stream recycling service providers

• Commercial & Multifamily Dwellings service providers