Recycling Requirements: Burbank vs Carson
How do recycling requirements rules compare between Burbank, CA and Carson, CA?
Burbank has fewer restrictions than Carson.
Burbank, CA
Los Angeles County
Mandatory recycling and organics separation required under SB 1383. Blue bin for recyclables, green bin for organics/yard waste. Commercial businesses must also comply. Athens Services handles commercial waste. New requirements phased in since 2022.
View full Burbank rules →Carson, CA
Los Angeles County
Recycling is mandatory in Carson under three layered authorities: (1) the city's exclusive residential recycling franchise (CMC Art. 5 Ch. 2), (2) California AB 341 mandatory commercial recycling for businesses generating 4+ cubic yards/week and multifamily of 5+ units (PRC §42649 et seq.), and (3) California AB 1826 / SB 1383 mandatory organics recycling for ALL residents and businesses (PRC §42649.8 et seq., §42652 et seq.). Every Carson home gets a 96-gallon blue-lid recycling cart and 96-gallon green-lid organics cart from Waste Resources; food scraps and food-soiled paper go in the green organics cart along with yard trimmings.
View full Carson rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Burbank | Carson |
|---|---|---|
| State Law | SB 1383 mandatory organics | - |
| Residential | 3-bin system required | - |
| Commercial | Athens Services handles | - |
| Compliance | Required since 2022 | - |
| Mandatory residential recycling | - | Yes — blue-lid 96-gal cart, exclusive Waste Resources franchise |
| Mandatory residential organics | - | Yes — SB 1383 (PRC §42652), green-lid 96-gal cart |
| Mandatory commercial recycling | - | AB 341 — businesses 4+ cy/wk waste; multifamily 5+ units |
| Mandatory commercial organics | - | AB 1826 / SB 1383 — all businesses generating organics |
| What's in green cart | - | Food scraps, food-soiled paper, yard trimmings |
| Extra carts | - | Additional blue or green carts available at no charge |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Burbank FAQ
What can I recycle curbside?
Paper, cardboard, glass bottles, aluminum cans, and plastics #1-#5. No plastic bags or food-soiled items.
What if my recycling bin is skipped?
Likely contaminated. Remove non-recyclables and set out on next collection day.
Carson FAQ
Do I have to recycle in Carson?
Yes. Carson's franchise (CMC Art. 5 Ch. 2) plus California AB 341, AB 1826 and SB 1383 (PRC §42649-§42652) require residents and businesses to separate recyclables and organics from trash. Every Carson household gets blue and green carts.
What goes in the green organics cart?
Food scraps of every kind — fruit, vegetables, meat, bones, dairy, bread, coffee grounds, tea bags — plus food-soiled paper napkins and pizza boxes, and all yard trimmings (leaves, grass, prunings).
Can my apartment building skip recycling?
No. AB 341 requires multifamily complexes of 5+ units to arrange recycling, and SB 1383 requires ALL residents — including apartment dwellers — to have organics service. The property's franchise account with Waste Resources must include both.
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