Recycling Requirements: San Jose vs Santa Clara
How do recycling requirements rules compare between San Jose, CA and Santa Clara, CA?
Santa Clara has fewer restrictions than San Jose.
San Jose, CA
Santa Clara County
San Jose mandates recycling and organics diversion under SJMC Chapter 9.10 and California's SB 1383 (organics recycling) and AB 341 (commercial recycling). All residents and businesses must separate recyclables and organic waste from garbage. The City's three-cart system makes source separation mandatory. Commercial generators producing 2+ cubic yards of waste per week must have recycling service. Multi-family properties with 5+ units must provide recycling and organics collection per SB 1383.
View full San Jose rules →Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara County
Santa Clara mandates recycling and organics separation under California SB 1383. Residents must sort recyclables, organics (food scraps and yard waste), and landfill trash into color-coded carts.
View full Santa Clara rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | San Jose | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Code Section | SJMC Chapter 9.10; CA SB 1383, AB 341 | - |
| Residential | Mandatory 3-cart separation | - |
| Commercial | Recycling required for 2+ cubic yards/week | - |
| Multi-Family | Recycling and organics required for 5+ units | - |
| Plastics | #1-7 accepted in blue cart | - |
| Authority | - | California SB 1383 |
| Recyclables | - | Paper, cardboard, glass, metal, plastics 1/2/5 |
| Organics | - | Food scraps + yard waste |
| Business mandate | - | 4+ unit buildings |
| Extra recycling | - | Free in clear bags |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
San Jose FAQ
What happens if I put the wrong items in my recycling cart?
Contaminated carts may be tagged and not collected. Repeated contamination can result in surcharges. Check the City's website for accepted materials lists.
Are apartment buildings required to provide recycling?
Yes. Under SB 1383 and city ordinance, multi-family properties with 5 or more units must provide recycling and organics collection services.
Santa Clara FAQ
Do I have to separate food scraps?
Yes. Food scraps go in the green organics cart under SB 1383, which is mandatory statewide.
Can I recycle plastic bags?
No. Plastic bags must be returned to grocery store collection bins, not placed in the curbside recycling cart.
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