Recycling Requirements: Berkeley vs Hayward
How do recycling requirements rules compare between Berkeley, CA and Hayward, CA?
Berkeley and Hayward have similar restriction levels.
Berkeley, CA
Alameda County
Berkeley requires separation of recyclables and organics from trash for all residents and businesses under BMC 11.28 and California SB 1383, with fines for contaminated or commingled loads.
View full Berkeley rules →Hayward, CA
Alameda County
Hayward follows California AB 341, AB 1826, and SB 1383, requiring residents and businesses to separate recyclables and organics from the landfill stream.
View full Hayward rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Berkeley | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| State law | SB 1383 organics mandate | - |
| Local law | BMC Chapter 11.28 | - |
| Streams | Landfill, recycle, compost | - |
| Food scraps | Required in green cart | - |
| Enforcement | Contamination tags, fees | - |
| Residential streams | - | Blue recycling, green organics |
| State laws | - | AB 341, AB 1826, SB 1383 |
| MF threshold | - | 5 or more units |
| Edible food | - | Tier 1 and 2 recovery |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Berkeley FAQ
Do I have to compost in Berkeley?
Yes. Food scraps and food-soiled paper must go in the green organics cart under SB 1383 and BMC 11.28.
What goes in the blue cart?
Clean paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass, and rigid plastics #1-5. No bags, film, or styrofoam.
Hayward FAQ
Can I put plastic bags in recycling?
No. Plastic bags jam sorting equipment; take clean film plastic to grocery store take-back bins and keep the blue cart bag-free.
What happens if my cart is contaminated?
Contaminated carts may receive a tag, a warning, and eventually contamination fees or reclassification as garbage service.
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