Recycling Requirements: Chino vs San Bernardino
How do recycling requirements rules compare between Chino, CA and San Bernardino, CA?
Chino and San Bernardino have similar restriction levels.
Chino, CA
San Bernardino County
Recycling participation is mandatory in Chino under Chino Municipal Code Chapter 8.18 (Specific Regulations for Organic Waste Disposal Reduction, Recycling and Solid Waste Collection, added by Ordinance No. 2021-014), which implements California AB 341 (commercial recycling), AB 1826 (organics recycling), and SB 1383. Single-family residences must use the blue-lid recycling cart; businesses and multi-family complexes (5+ units) must subscribe to recycling and organics service or self-haul to a permitted facility.
View full Chino rules →San Bernardino, CA
San Bernardino County
San Bernardino residents must sort recyclables into the blue cart and food and yard waste into the green cart under CA AB 341, AB 1826, and SB 1383. Contaminated carts can be tagged and draw administrative citations.
View full San Bernardino rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Local code | Chino Mun. Code Ch. 8.18 (Ord. 2021-014) | - |
| State mandates | AB 341, AB 1826, SB 1383 | - |
| Commercial threshold | 4 cu yd solid waste/week | - |
| Multi-family threshold | 5+ units | - |
| C&D diversion | 65% (CALGreen § 5.408 / Form CD-1) | - |
| State laws | - | AB 341, AB 1826, SB 1383 mandate recycling and organics |
| Blue cart accepts | - | Paper, cardboard, rigid plastics 1 and 2, aluminum, glass |
| Green cart accepts | - | All food scraps, yard waste, soiled paper |
| Prohibited in blue | - | Plastic bags, foam, food-soiled paper, electronics |
| Repeat contamination | - | Fines around 65 dollars plus possible cart removal |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chino FAQ
Is recycling mandatory in Chino?
Yes. Chino Municipal Code Chapter 8.18 makes recycling mandatory for all residents, businesses, and multi-family properties, implementing AB 341, AB 1826, and SB 1383.
What goes in the blue-lid cart?
CRV bottles and cans, aluminum/steel cans, rigid plastics #1–#5, glass jars, and clean paper/cardboard. No plastic bags, film, Styrofoam, food-soiled paper, or electronics.
Does my business have to recycle?
Yes if you generate 4 cubic yards or more of solid waste per week (AB 341), and you must also recycle organic waste at the same threshold (AB 1826). Submit the Mandatory Solid Waste & Recycling Compliance Form to the city.
San Bernardino FAQ
Do I have to separate food waste in San Bernardino?
Yes. Under SB 1383 and Municipal Code Chapter 8.24, all food scraps must be placed in the green organics cart rather than the black trash cart, including meat, dairy, and cooked foods.
Can I put plastic bags in the recycling cart?
No. Plastic bags are a major contaminant that jam sorting equipment. Take clean plastic shopping bags back to grocery store collection bins and never place them in the blue cart.
Does my apartment complex have to recycle?
Yes. AB 341 and AB 1826 require multi-family properties of 5 or more units to provide recycling and organics service. Residents should ask the property manager for labeled bins.
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