Recycling Requirements: Rialto vs San Bernardino
How do recycling requirements rules compare between Rialto, CA and San Bernardino, CA?
Rialto has fewer restrictions than San Bernardino.
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 →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 | Rialto | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| 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.
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.
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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