Recycling Requirements: Tulare vs Visalia
How do recycling requirements rules compare between Tulare, CA and Visalia, CA?
Tulare and Visalia have similar restriction levels.
Tulare, CA
Tulare County
Tulare Municipal Code Chapter 7.17 implements California's SB 1383 mandate. Every single-family home, multifamily building, and business in Tulare must subscribe to recycling AND organics collection and source-separate organics, recyclables, and landfill trash. As of 1/1/2022 it is illegal statewide to put organics or recyclables in the trash cart.
View full Tulare rules →Visalia, CA
Tulare County
Unincorporated Tulare County requires source separation of recyclables. County Code Chapter 4-3, Article 13 (implementing California SB 1383 and AB 1826) enrolls single-family, multifamily and commercial generators in three-cart service: recyclables go in the blue container only, and contaminating a cart is unlawful.
View full Visalia rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Tulare | Visalia |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | TMC Chapter 7.17 (Mandatory Recycling and Organic Waste Disposal Reduction) | - |
| State law | SB 1383 — Cal. Pub. Res. Code § 42652 et seq.; AB 341; AB 1826 | - |
| Required carts | Three-cart system: black trash, blue recycling, green organics | - |
| Effective date | Statewide ban on organics/recyclables in trash: 1/1/2022; City fines began 1/1/2024 | - |
| Contamination fines | $50 / $100 / $250 (1st / 2nd / 3rd violation) | - |
| Code section | - | Tulare County Code Ch. 4-3, Article 13 (4-03-1620 et seq.) |
| State law implemented | - | California SB 1383 (14 CCR 18982 et seq.) + AB 1826 |
| Recyclables go in | - | Blue container only |
| Who must comply | - | Single-family, multifamily (5+ units), commercial |
| AB 1826 business threshold | - | 4+ cubic yards of waste weekly must recycle |
| Contamination | - | Fee after >3 consecutive occasions; 60-day cure for other violations |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Tulare FAQ
Do I really have to put food scraps in the green cart?
Yes. Under SB 1383 (Cal. Pub. Res. Code § 42652 et seq.) and TMC Chapter 7.17, food waste, food-soiled paper, and plant debris must go in the green organics cart. Since January 1, 2022, putting them in the black trash cart is illegal statewide; Tulare started fining contamination on January 1, 2024.
What goes in the blue cart?
Mixed recyclables: clean paper, flattened cardboard, plastic bottles and jugs (#1 and #2 marked), aluminum and steel cans, and glass bottles/jars. No plastic bags, no Styrofoam, no food-soiled containers, no e-waste. Contamination triggers escalating fines under the City's SB 1383 enforcement schedule.
Does my restaurant or grocery store have extra duties?
Yes — SB 1383 edible-food recovery. Tier 1 generators (supermarkets, large food distributors, food service providers) and Tier 2 (restaurants, hotels with on-site food, large venues) must contract with a food-recovery organization to donate surplus edible food. Recordkeeping is required and CalRecycle inspections apply.
Visalia FAQ
Is recycling mandatory in unincorporated Tulare County?
Yes. County Code Chapter 4-3, Article 13 implements California SB 1383 and AB 1826, enrolling single-family, multifamily and commercial generators in three-cart service and requiring recyclables to be placed in the blue container only.
What happens if I put trash in my recycling cart?
Placing Prohibited Container Contaminants in the blue cart is unlawful (sections 4-03-1635/1640). The County or hauler may issue a cart-tag notice and, after more than three consecutive occasions, assess a contamination processing fee under section 4-03-1675.
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