Los Angeles, CA Trash & Recycling: Mandatory Organics Recycling (2026)
Key Facts
- Effective date of three-container mandate
- January 18, 2023 (Ord. No. 187,711)
- Penalties effective
- January 1, 2024
- Green container accepts
- Food scraps, yard trimmings, wood waste, paper products (not plastic-coated), Christmas trees
- Green container excludes
- Non-compostable paper, textiles, carpets, inorganic material
- First penalty
- $50 administrative fine
- Self-haul option
- Allowed if delivered to an approved organic waste processing facility
Summary
Los Angeles mandates that all organic waste generators, residents, commercial establishments, and multi-family dwellings, separate organic waste into the green container or comply with organics diversion through an approved hauler, self-haul, or waiver. Solid waste may never be placed in the green container.
SEC. 66.03. SOLID WASTE SERVICE REQUIRED.
(f) Any Person generating Organic Waste but not receiving Collection Services from the City, and any Commercial Establishments or Multi-family Dwellings generating Organic Waste but not receiving Collection Services from the City, shall comply with requirements adopted pursuant to this article for the collection and recovery of Organic Waste by:
(1) Subscribing to and complying with the requirements of the Organic Waste Collection Services provided consistent with Section 66.33 of this Code;
(2) Self-hauling Organic Waste in a manner that complies with requirements as issued by the Bureau; or
(3) Obtaining a waiver of Organic Waste Collection Services if the Director develops and implements a generator waiver program, in accordance with 14 CCR Section 18984.11.
(g) A Person generating Organic Waste shall place Source-Separated Organic Waste in the green container, Source-Separated Recyclable Material and/or Commingled Recyclables in the blue container, and Solid Waste in the black container. No Person shall place Solid Waste in the blue container or green container.
Full Breakdown
LAMC § 66.03(f) requires any person generating organic waste that does not receive City collection services to subscribe to certified organic waste collection services, self-haul organic waste to an approved facility, or obtain a waiver from the Bureau of Sanitation Director under 14 CCR § 18984.11. Source-Separated Organic Waste includes food material, wood waste, brush, grass clippings, plant and tree trimmings, leaves, and Christmas trees; non-compostable paper (plastic-coated), textiles, and inorganic material are excluded. The three-container mandate was established effective January 18, 2023 (Ord. No. 187,711). Commercial establishments must train employees and periodically inspect organic waste containers for contamination.
Violations & Fines
Administrative penalties: $50 first violation, $100 second, $250 third or subsequent (LAMC § 66.07(e)(2)), effective January 1, 2024. A notice of violation provides a compliance deadline of 60 days or as stated in the notice. Appeals to the Board of Public Works within 30 days of penalty notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to put food scraps in a separate bin?
My business does not have City trash collection. Do the organics rules still apply?
Can I compost on-site instead of putting organics in the green bin?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Angeles 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.