Business Recycling

SB 1383 state requirement to divert organic waste from landfills takes effect January 1, 2022. All California residences and businesses will be required to separate organic waste from other trash and participate in an organics collection program. Cities must also establish edible food recovery efforts for certain commercial edible food generators. For more information on the bill, please visit our SB 1383 page. 

If your solid waste hauler is Waste Management, view which materials are allowed in your organic/food waste container here.

If you subscribe to another solid waste hauler, contact them directly to inquire about their organic/food waste program details.

AB 341 state requirement to recycle has taken effect on July 1, 2012, stating the mandatory implementation of a recycling plan by businesses, public entities, and multi-family units in California. To read about the bill and what you can do to stay compliant, please visit our AB 341 page. 

AB 1826 state requirement to recycle organic waste took effect on April 1, 2016. As of September 15, 2020 this law requires businesses that generate 2 cubic yards or more of organic waste a week to arrange for organic waste recycling services. To read about the bill and what you can do to stay compliant, please visit our AB 1826 page.

AB 827 state requirement for businesses to provide organic waste collection bins took effect July 1, 2020. Businesses must provide customers access to recycling and organic waste containers that are adjacent to pre-existing waste containers. This law targets businesses that sell products meant for immediate consumption. For more information, please visit the California Legislative Information page.

 

4 Good Reasons Why it Makes Business Sense to Recycle

Save Money!

1. Net operating costs can be reduced because recycling is less expensive than garbage disposal

2. Buying re-manufactured goods and those with recycled-content saves money

3. After starting a recycling and waste reduction program, cost savings continue for as long as the program is in place

Get Noticed!

4. Customers, employees, and the community notice when businesses are environmentally friendly

Quick Tips

  • Take advantage of the Business Recycling Assistance Program

Contact Irvine Recycle Hotline at 949-724-7669 to schedule a FREE consultation. We will help you identify opportunities to reduce, reuse, recycle, and save money.

  • Educating Your Employees

Employees are key to a successful business recycling program. Please make sure your employees know which materials can be recycled and where to place the recyclable materials for temporary storage and ultimate collection.

  • What Not to Place in Recycling Bins

Some hazardous waste can be recycled if handled properly. Other types of hazardous waste must be sent to a special facility. Of course, no hazardous waste should be placed in trash containers. Visit this page to learn about hazardous waste disposal and find a list of disposal companies.

What Can I Recycle?

Metal

  • Aluminum cans - take to these locations for cash back (CRV)
  • Empty aerosol cans (must be empty)
  • Hangers
  • Paint cans (must be empty or dry)
  • Tin (Pie tins; Cans from soup, tuna, vegetable, juice, coffee)

Plastic

  • Beverage Containers – juice, soda, water – OR, take to these locations for cash back (CRV)
  • Bags – grocery, dry cleaning, newspaper sleeves (bundle inside a plastic bag, tie and place in cart) - OR, eliminate plastics by taking your own bags to the store.
  • Buckets (#1-#7)
  • Containers (#1-#7) laundry detergent, ketchup, mustard, hair products
  • Toys (#1-#7) – OR, donate to a local charity.
  • Tubs (#1-#7)

Paper

  • Bulk/junk mail, envelopes, catalogs
  • Cardboard Boxes (flattened)
  • File folders
  • Mixed paper (printer, color, all types accepted)
  • Newspapers, magazines – OR, use to make wrapping paper and envelopes. Click here for more reuse ideas.
  • Paper board cereal boxes, tissue boxes, shoe boxes, egg cartons, beverage boxes, dry food boxes, milk cartons
  • Paper towels (must be clean and dry)
  • Paper towel and toilet tissue rolls
  • Pizza boxes (no food residue)
  • Shredded paper (must bag before placing in cart)
  • Soft bound books, hard bound books (inside only, no cover) – OR, donate to the Irvine library. Click here for more ideas.
  • Telephone books, directories

Glass

  • Food Jars – sauce, mayo, pickles (no residue)
  • Beverage glass bottles wine, beer, liquor, juice – OR, take to these locations for cash back (CRV)