Recycling Requirements: El Cerrito vs San Ramon
How do recycling requirements rules compare between El Cerrito, CA and San Ramon, CA?
San Ramon has fewer restrictions than El Cerrito.
El Cerrito, CA
Contra Costa County
SB 1383 mandates organics recycling for all residents and businesses. Contra Costa County requires separation of recyclables (blue cart) and organics including food scraps (green cart) with enforcement beginning 2024.
View full El Cerrito rules →San Ramon, CA
Contra Costa County
San Ramon recycling is single-stream through Waste Management's blue cart, with materials processed at the Davis Street MRF. Accepted: paper, cardboard, glass, metal, rigid plastics #1-5 and #7. Rejected: bags, film, styrofoam, food-soiled items. California SB 54 producer-responsibility law will phase in stricter packaging rules through 2032.
View full San Ramon rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | El Cerrito | San Ramon |
|---|---|---|
| State law | SB 1383 (2016) | - |
| Organics cart | Green - required | - |
| Diversion goal | 75% by 2025 | - |
| Contamination fine | Up to $500 | - |
| Business threshold | 2 cubic yards/week | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
El Cerrito FAQ
Do I have to put food scraps in the green cart?
Yes. SB 1383 requires all residents to separate food waste, including meat and dairy, into the organics cart.
What plastics are recyclable?
Clean, rigid plastic containers marked #1, #2, and #5. Plastic bags, film, and Styrofoam are not recyclable curbside.
San Ramon FAQ
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