Ontario vs San Bernardino
How do recycling requirements rules compare between Ontario, CA and San Bernardino, CA?
Ontario and San Bernardino have similar restriction levels.
Ontario, CA
San Bernardino County
Ontario residents and businesses must separate recyclables and organics per California AB 341, AB 1826, and SB 1383, using blue recycling and green organics carts provided by Burrtec.
View full Ontario 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 | Ontario | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Residential laws | SB 1383 organics mandate | - |
| Business law | AB 341 (4 cubic yards/week) | - |
| Multifamily | 5+ units must recycle | - |
| Organics | Food scraps go in green cart | - |
| Contact | Burrtec (909) 947-3945 | - |
| 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.
Ontario FAQ
What can I put in my blue recycling cart in Ontario?
Clean paper, cardboard, plastic bottles numbered 1 through 5, aluminum cans, and glass containers. Do not include plastic bags, Styrofoam, or food-soiled paper.
Does my Ontario business have to recycle?
Yes. Under AB 341, any Ontario business producing 4 or more cubic yards of trash per week, and multifamily properties with 5 or more units, must subscribe to recycling service.
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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