Carson, CA Trash & Recycling: Mandatory Organics Recycling (2026)
Key Facts
- Legal basis
- AB 1826 & SB 1383 (Ord. 21-2121)
- Applies to
- commercial and multifamily generators
- Requires
- labeled blue/green/gray containers
- Edible food
- tier 1/2 generators must recover it
- Fines
- $100 / $200 / $500 escalating
Summary
Carson commercial businesses and multifamily properties must subscribe to three-container organics collection and separate food scraps and green waste under the City's SB 1383 organics-recycling ordinance.
Generators that are commercial businesses, including multifamily residential dwellings, shall: ... Subscribe to City's three (3) container collection services and comply with requirements of those services... Generator shall place source separated green container organic waste, including food waste, in the green container; source separated recyclable materials in the blue container; and gray container waste in the gray container.
Full Breakdown
Carson's Chapter 11 (Ord. 21-2121) implements state organics mandates, AB 1826 (2014) and SB 1383 (2016), through CMC § 51105, which requires commercial businesses, including multifamily residential dwellings, to subscribe to the City's three-container collection service, supply labeled blue/green/gray containers for employees and customers, train staff on sorting, and allow City inspections, unless they qualify as self-haulers under § 51110. Businesses that are tier one or tier two commercial edible food generators face an added duty under § 51107 to arrange for surplus edible food to be recovered rather than discarded.
Violations & Fines
The same CMC § 51150 penalty schedule applies, $100, $200, then $500 for repeat violations in a year, plus administrative citations, contamination service charges, and potential civil or criminal prosecution for noncompliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who must comply with Carson's mandatory organics rule?
Does Carson also require food donation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Carson
California rules heatmap·Compare Carson to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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Mandatory Organics Recycling in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle mandatory organics recycling.