AB 1826: California's Commercial Organics Recycling Law Explained

AB 1826 was signed into law in 2014 by Governor Brown and established California's mandatory commercial organics recycling requirements. It is one of three statewide commercial recycling mandates — alongside AB 341 (recyclables) and SB 1383 (organics diversion and edible food recovery) — that together set the baseline for commercial waste compliance in the state.

Current Threshold

As of April 1, 2019, AB 1826 applies to all commercial businesses generating 2 cubic yards or more per week of organic waste. This is the current active threshold; all earlier phased thresholds have been superseded.

Multifamily residential dwellings of 5 or more units are also covered, though the threshold and requirements vary slightly.

What Counts as Organic Waste

AB 1826 defines organic waste broadly:

- Food waste (prep waste, plate waste, expired and unsellable food) - Green material (landscaping and pruning waste) - Nonhazardous wood waste - Food-soiled paper

If your business generates 2 cubic yards or more per week of any combination of these materials, AB 1826 applies.

Who It Affects

Almost every commercial food generator in California meets the threshold:

- Restaurants and food service operations - Grocery stores and food retailers - Food manufacturers and processors - Hotels, resorts, and hospitality operations - Corporate cafeterias and institutional dining - Hospitals with on-site food facilities - Schools and universities with food service - Event venues

What Compliance Requires

Covered businesses must arrange for organic waste recycling service. That means either:

1. Subscribing to an organics collection service through a hauler that diverts material to composting, anaerobic digestion, or other approved organic recovery pathways 2. Self-hauling organics to an approved facility 3. Operating on-site organics processing (composting, digestion)

Interaction with SB 1383

AB 1826 is still independently enforceable alongside SB 1383. The two laws overlap substantially but were enacted separately and both remain in force. Compliance with SB 1383 generally satisfies AB 1826 requirements, but documentation must reference both where applicable.

AB 827 Companion Law

AB 827, enacted in 2018, requires food-service businesses to provide labeled recycling and organics bins at the point of sale. Standard signage and color coding are required so customers can correctly separate waste at the bin.

Non-Compliance Penalties

Fines of up to $500 per day. Local jurisdictions enforce.

How ICTV Helps

ICTV helps businesses assess current organics volumes against the threshold, right-size collection programs to actual generation, coordinate qualified haulers and processing facilities, and provide documentation that supports both AB 1826 and SB 1383 compliance under a single managed program.