Mandatory Organics Recycling: Redwood City vs San Mateo
How do mandatory organics recycling rules compare between Redwood City, CA and San Mateo, CA?
Redwood City and San Mateo have similar restriction levels.
Redwood City, CA
San Mateo County
California SB 1383 requires residents and businesses to subscribe to and participate in organics (compost) collection. San Mateo County implements it for the unincorporated area by amending County Code Chapter 4.04, and standard residential service includes a weekly green organics cart for food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings. The County conducts required annual compliance inspections.
View full Redwood City rules →San Mateo, CA
San Mateo County
California SB 1383 requires residents and businesses to subscribe to and participate in organics (compost) collection. San Mateo County implements it for the unincorporated area by amending County Code Chapter 4.04, and standard residential service includes a weekly green organics cart for food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings. The County conducts required annual compliance inspections.
View full San Mateo rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Redwood City | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| State law | SB 1383 (effective Jan 1, 2022) | SB 1383 (effective Jan 1, 2022) |
| County implementation | Amendment to County Code Chapter 4.04 | Amendment to County Code Chapter 4.04 |
| Residential organics cart | Green compost cart, collected weekly | Green compost cart, collected weekly |
| Accepted organics | Food scraps, food-soiled paper, yard trimmings | Food scraps, food-soiled paper, yard trimmings |
| Business/multifamily duties | Subscribe, provide bins, signage, training | Subscribe, provide bins, signage, training |
| Inspections | Annual compliance reviews required by state | Annual compliance reviews required by state |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Redwood City FAQ
Do I have to compost food scraps in unincorporated San Mateo County?
Yes. Under state law SB 1383, residents and businesses must subscribe to and participate in organics collection, and the County implemented this through its County Code Chapter 4.04. Put food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings in the green compost cart, not the garbage.
What do businesses have to do under SB 1383 here?
Businesses and multifamily properties of five or more units must subscribe to compost (and recycling) service or self-haul with records, provide green and blue containers with color-coded signage, and train staff and tenants. Larger food businesses must also arrange edible-food recovery (donation).
San Mateo FAQ
Do I have to compost food scraps in unincorporated San Mateo County?
Yes. Under state law SB 1383, residents and businesses must subscribe to and participate in organics collection, and the County implemented this through its County Code Chapter 4.04. Put food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings in the green compost cart, not the garbage.
What do businesses have to do under SB 1383 here?
Businesses and multifamily properties of five or more units must subscribe to compost (and recycling) service or self-haul with records, provide green and blue containers with color-coded signage, and train staff and tenants. Larger food businesses must also arrange edible-food recovery (donation).
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