Aliso Viejo, CA Trash & Recycling: Mandatory Organics Recycling (2026)

Chapter 7.05 implements California's organic waste recovery regulations in the City of Aliso Viejo. It prints two versions of the rules for each customer class and lets the city pick: single-family generators fall under section 7.05.290 (standard) or 7.05.300 (performance-based), and commercial businesses under 7.05.310 (standard) or 7.05.320 (performance-based). Each section says the city may choose to comply with its counterpart instead.

Single-family homes. Under 7.05.300 a household is automatically enrolled in service with a blue recyclable materials container and a green organic waste container, and must use the three-container system: organic waste, including food waste, in the green container; recyclables in the blue; and gray container waste in the gray. Nothing in the section stops a household from backyard composting or using a community composting site. Section 7.05.290 instead requires the household to subscribe to the city's organic waste collection service and place designated materials in designated containers, and the city can review container number and size and require a service-level change.

Businesses and multifamily buildings. Section 7.05.310 requires a commercial business, including applicable multifamily dwellings, to subscribe to the three-container service. It must supply containers in all indoor and outdoor areas where disposal containers are provided for customers (restrooms excluded), with colors or labels matching the city service, and it must inspect them for contamination, give employees, contractors, tenants and customers organics information annually, and brief new tenants within 14 days of occupation. Multifamily dwellings are excused from the placement and labeling duties. Tier one and tier two commercial edible food generators must also meet the food recovery rules in 7.05.340, from January 1, 2022 and January 1, 2024 respectively.

Waivers. A de minimis waiver (7.05.330) needs documentation that organic waste is under 20 gallons per week per container for service of two cubic yards or more per week, or under 10 gallons for smaller service, with written re-verification every five years. A physical space waiver rests on evidence that the premises cannot fit the containers.