California · AB 1826

Commercial organics

How the commercial organics rules fit within California’s current recycling requirements.

What the law covers

AB 1826 established organic-waste recycling requirements for covered businesses, including multifamily properties with five or more units. Since September 2020, the threshold has been two cubic yards of commercial solid waste per week, counting trash, recyclables and organic material together.

Organic material includes food, landscape trimmings, untreated wood and food-soiled paper.

Check the current local program

SB 1383 introduced broader requirements. The older AB 1826 threshold and earlier multifamily food-waste rules should not be used as the only test of a property’s current obligations.

Contact the city or regular waste provider to confirm the collection program, accepted materials and any applicable waiver. Food scraps and routine organics collection should be handled through the property’s authorized program.