Lassen County, CA Trash & Recycling: Mandatory Organics Recycling (2026)

Statewide, SB 1383 (effective January 1, 2022) requires jurisdictions to provide organic-waste collection so residents and businesses can separate food scraps, yard debris, and food-soiled paper from trash, targeting a 75% reduction in landfilled organics by 2025. SB 1383 includes relief for rural areas. Under Public Resources Code Section 42649.8, a 'rural county' is one with a total population of less than 70,000 persons, which makes its jurisdictions eligible for a Rural Exemption from the organic-waste collection requirements after the governing body adopts a qualifying resolution. Lassen County (population roughly 30,000-31,000) meets this rural-county threshold, and CalRecycle's approved-waivers list shows an approved Rural Exemption (Counties) for Lassen County effective June 7, 2022; the City of Susanville holds a corresponding Rural Exemption (Cities) effective the same date. As a result, the County is not currently required to roll out residential or commercial organic-waste collection while the exemption remains in effect. Note that recent state legislation (SB 2902-type relief) extends rural-jurisdiction timelines, with rural jurisdictions generally needing to reassess eligibility and reapply in the future. Green-waste recycling is still available voluntarily: C&S Waste Solutions offers a 96-gallon green-lid green-waste cart in franchise areas, and LRSWMA accepts green waste at Bass Hill ($9.00/ton) and seasonally at Westwood. Residents should confirm current exemption status with the County Solid Waste Program.