Recycling Requirements: El Monte vs South Gate
How do recycling requirements rules compare between El Monte, CA and South Gate, CA?
South Gate has fewer restrictions than El Monte.
El Monte, CA
Los Angeles County
El Monte Ordinance #3006 (Chapter 8.21 of the Municipal Code, adopted October 5, 2021) implements California SB 1383 and requires every residential, commercial, and multi-family premises in the city to subscribe to the City's organic waste reduction program and properly source-separate recyclables and organics.
View full El Monte rules →South Gate, CA
Los Angeles County
South Gate participates in the statewide California recycling program under AB 341 (mandatory commercial recycling) and AB 1826 (organics). Residents place mixed recyclables (paper, cardboard, metal, glass, rigid plastics) in the blue cart provided by UWS. Contamination can result in a missed pickup.
View full South Gate rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | El Monte | South Gate |
|---|---|---|
| Local ordinance | El Monte Ordinance #3006 (Chapter 8.21) | - |
| Adopted | October 5, 2021 | - |
| Program launch | July 2022 | - |
| State authority | California SB 1383 (Lara, 2016) | AB 341, AB 1826, SB 1383 |
| Statewide organics-reduction target | 75% below 2014 by 2025 | - |
| Subscription scope | All residential, multi-family, and commercial premises | - |
| Blue cart | - | Paper, cardboard, glass, metal, plastics #1–#7 |
| NOT accepted | - | Plastic bags, foam, e-waste, batteries |
| CRV redemption | - | PRC §14500 (separate from curbside) |
| Commercial threshold | - | 4 cu yd/wk solid waste = mandatory recycling (AB 341) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
El Monte FAQ
Do I have to put food scraps in the green cart?
Yes. Under Chapter 8.21 and California SB 1383, all food waste — including meat, dairy, bones, and spoiled food — must go in the green organics cart, not in the trash.
Can I opt out of recycling service?
Generally no. Ordinance #3006 requires every residential and commercial premises in El Monte to subscribe to the City's three-cart recycling and organics program. Limited waivers exist (e.g., de minimis generators) but must be applied for through the City.
What happens if I put trash in the recycling or organics cart?
Contamination triggers a notice from Valley Vista. Repeated contamination can lead to administrative citations of $50–$500+ per day under CalRecycle's SB 1383 enforcement framework that El Monte has adopted.
South Gate FAQ
Can I put plastic bags in the blue cart?
No. Plastic film tangles sorting equipment. Return clean bags to grocery-store collection points. California also banned single-use plastic carryout bags statewide under SB 270.
Do businesses have to recycle?
Yes. Under AB 341 (PRC §42649), businesses generating 4+ cubic yards/week of waste and multifamily properties with 5+ units must subscribe to recycling service.
What about CRV bottles?
You can place them in the blue cart, or redeem the deposit at a CRV-certified buy-back center for cash.
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