Recycling Requirements: Santa Clara vs Sunnyvale
How do recycling requirements rules compare between Santa Clara, CA and Sunnyvale, CA?
Santa Clara and Sunnyvale have similar restriction levels.
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 →Sunnyvale, CA
Santa Clara County
Sunnyvale residents and businesses must source-separate recyclables and organics from trash to comply with state laws AB 341, AB 1826, and SB 1383.
View full Sunnyvale rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Santa Clara | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| State laws | - | AB 341, AB 1826, SB 1383 |
| Mandatory | - | All residents and businesses |
| Organics cart | - | Food + yard waste |
| Not accepted | - | Plastic bags, foam |
| Plastics | - | Numbers 1, 2, 5 only |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
Sunnyvale FAQ
What goes in the organics cart?
Food scraps (including meat and dairy), food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings all go in the green organics cart.
Are plastic bags recyclable curbside?
No. Plastic bags jam sorting equipment and must be taken to grocery store drop-off programs.
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