Recycling Requirements: Hesperia vs Rialto
How do recycling requirements rules compare between Hesperia, CA and Rialto, CA?
Rialto has fewer restrictions than Hesperia.
Hesperia, CA
San Bernardino County
Recycling is mandatory in Hesperia under California AB 939 (50% diversion), AB 341 (commercial recycling), AB 1826 (commercial organics), and SB 1383 (statewide organic-waste reduction). Hesperia complies via Advance Disposal's single-stream comingled system — every cart is sorted at a CalRecycle-approved High Diversion Organic Waste Processing Facility (HDOWPF), so residents and businesses do not source-separate but they are still subject to state-level enforcement.
View full Hesperia rules →Rialto, CA
San Bernardino County
Residential customers receive a blue recycling cart serviced weekly. Under California AB 341, businesses generating ≥4 cubic yards/week of solid waste and multifamily complexes of 5+ units must subscribe to recycling service. Free waste audits are available from the City.
View full Rialto rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Hesperia | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance method | Single-stream MRF (CalRecycle HDOWPF) | - |
| Commercial threshold | 4+ cu yd/wk or 5+ unit MFD | - |
| Organics mandate | All generators (SB 1383) | - |
| State penalty cap | Up to $500/day (14 CCR §18997.2) | - |
| Edible food donation | Tier 1 & 2 generators required | - |
| State mandate | - | AB 341 — commercial recycling ≥4 cy/wk |
| Multifamily | - | 5+ unit complexes must recycle |
| Plastic bags | - | Banned statewide (SB 270) |
| Free audits | - | City Recycling Hotline 909-820-2602 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Hesperia FAQ
Do I have to sort my recyclables in Hesperia?
No — Hesperia uses Advance Disposal's single-stream comingled system. Everything goes in the tan cart and is sorted at the Material Recovery Facility, which qualifies as a CalRecycle High Diversion Organic Waste Processing Facility. This satisfies AB 939, AB 341, and SB 1383 source-separation requirements.
Is my business required to recycle in Hesperia?
Yes if you generate 4 or more cubic yards of waste per week (AB 341/AB 1826) or any organics (SB 1383). Subscribing to Advance Disposal franchise service automatically satisfies recycling and organics requirements because the MRF sorts comingled material.
Can I get CRV refunds for cans and bottles?
Yes — Advance Disposal operates a Buyback Center where residents can drop off CRV-eligible aluminum, glass, and plastic containers for the California Redemption Value refund. Cans and bottles do not have to go through curbside collection.
Rialto FAQ
Does my Rialto business have to recycle?
Yes if you generate 4+ cubic yards of solid waste per week, or if you are a multifamily complex of 5 or more units. AB 341 has required commercial recycling since July 1, 2012.
Can I grab cans from someone's blue cart?
No. Removing recyclables from a container set out for collection is scavenging — prohibited under Rialto Municipal Code §8.08.030 and punishable as theft under Cal. Pen. Code §496.
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