Chino Hills, CA Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)

Composting in Chino Hills is driven by California SB 1383, the statewide organic-waste-reduction law, which the City adopted locally through Ordinance No. 377, effective December 23, 2021. The City is required to provide organics collection to all residents regardless of how much waste they generate, and there are no waivers or exemptions for residential locations. All single-family homes with individual cart service receive three 95-gallon carts: black-lid for trash, blue-lid for recyclables, and green-lid for organics. Residents must recycle all organic waste - including yard/landscape trimmings, food scraps, and food-soiled paper - in the green organics cart. Items that do not belong include loose or bagged plastic, compostable serveware, foam containers, hazardous waste, batteries, and fats/oils/greases. Waste Management collects the organics and hauls them to a composting facility where the material becomes nutrient-rich compost. SB 1383 also requires the City to monitor carts for contamination and run an education and enforcement program. The City's published materials focus on the green-cart program; residents who prefer backyard composting may still do so, but the mandatory program is the green organics cart. This mirrors the state mandate rather than imposing a unique local composting scheme.