Vacaville, CA Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)
Key Facts
- State Law
- Cal. SB 1383 (PRC 42649.8+)
- City Hauler
- Recology Vacaville Solano
- Compost Site
- Jepson Prairie Organics (Hay Rd)
- Bin Color
- Green = organics
- Backyard Compost
- Allowed (no nuisance)
- Free Compost
- Yes, to Vacaville residents
Summary
Vacaville residents and businesses must subscribe to Recology Vacaville Solano's organics (green-cart) curbside service under California SB 1383 (Public Resources Code Sections 42649.8-42649.97). Food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings go to Jepson Prairie Organics on Hay Road for composting. Backyard composting is allowed as a complement, subject to standard nuisance and rodent-control rules.
42652. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) The organic disposal reduction targets are essential to achieving the statewide recycling goal identified in Section 41780.01. (b) Achieving organic waste disposal reduction targets requires significant investment to develop organics recycling capacity. (c) More robust state and local funding mechanisms are needed to support the expansion of organics recycling capacity. ... (2) Shall include requirements intended to meet the goal that not less than 20 percent of edible food that is currently disposed of is recovered for human consumption by 2025.
Full Breakdown
California SB 1383 (2016) and its implementing regulations at California Code of Regulations Title 14, Division 7, Chapter 12 require every California jurisdiction to provide organic-waste collection service and require every resident and business to subscribe and participate. Vacaville complies through a partnership with Recology Vacaville Solano. Curbside green carts collect food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings on a weekly schedule; collected material is hauled to Jepson Prairie Organics - one of the largest food-scrap composting facilities in the nation - located adjacent to the Recology Hay Road Landfill at 6426 Hay Road in Vacaville.
SB 1383 specifies that organics containers must be green, recycling blue, and garbage gray/black. Free finished compost is available to Vacaville residents at the Jepson Prairie Organics yard. 04 (Weeds and Rubbish). Tier 1 commercial generators must follow added edible-food-recovery requirements under SB 1383 to donate surplus food to food banks.
Violations & Fines
Failing to subscribe to or participate in SB 1383 organics collection is a CalRecycle-enforceable violation; jurisdictions face state-level penalties and pass enforcement through Recology service rules and city code. Contamination of the green cart with non-organic material can result in tag-and-leave service, contamination fees, or downgrade to standard refuse handling. Backyard piles that create odor or rodent nuisances can be abated under VMC 6.20 or 8.04.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the green organics cart in Vacaville?
Can I still compost in my backyard?
Where does Vacaville's organic waste end up?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Vacaville
California rules heatmap·Compare Vacaville to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Composting in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Solano County handle composting.