Madera, CA Trash & Recycling: Mandatory Organics Recycling (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted
- Ordinance 983 C.S., 2-2-22
- Container system
- Blue, green, gray, mandatory
- State driver
- SB 1383, AB 341, AB 1826
- First violation (household)
- $50 base penalty
- First violation (commercial)
- $100 base penalty
- Appeal path
- Chapter 1.28 administrative citation appeal
Summary
Madera requires every single-family and commercial generator to subscribe to a three-container system and sort food and yard waste into the green container under Municipal Code Chapter 3A, adopted to comply with SB 1383. Mixing gray-container trash into the green or blue container is a violation carrying its own civil penalty schedule.
Organic waste generators shall subscribe to a three container collection service which includes a blue container, green container and gray container, and shall comply with the following requirements: ... Generators 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. ... (a) For a first violation, the amount of the base penalty shall be $ ... 50 per violation. (b) For a second violation, the amount of the base penalty shall be $100 per violation. (c) For a third or subsequent violation, the amount of the base penalty shall be $250 per violation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2024 S-50: Current through Ordinance 1010 C.S., passed 6-5-24).
Full Breakdown
on 2-2-22, implements California's SB 1383 organics mandate along with AB 341 and AB 1826. 04 requires organic waste generators to subscribe to a three-container collection service (blue for recyclables, green for organics including food waste, gray for everything else) and to place materials only in their designated container; nothing bars a household from managing waste on site or using a permitted community composting site instead of the green cart. 05, including supplying labeled containers in customer areas. Self-haulers must take source-separated loads to facilities permitted to accept each waste stream and are not excused from the three-container subscription requirement.
15, monitors compliance through route reviews, remote monitoring, and complaint investigation, and may extend compliance deadlines for acts of God, permitting delays, or documented recycling-infrastructure shortfalls. An education-first period ran from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2023 before citations began. 28's administrative citation appeal procedure.
Violations & Fines
Section 5-3A.15(E) sets escalating base penalties: single-family households face $50 for a first violation, $100 for a second, and $250 for a third or later violation; commercial businesses face $100, $200, and $500 for the same tiers. The city may also pursue civil action for unpaid citations and can pursue enforcement consistent with the misdemeanor/infraction procedures in Chapters 1.18, 1.20, and 1.32.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to separate food scraps from trash in Madera?
Can I compost at home instead of using the green cart in Madera?
What is the fine for not separating organics in Madera?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madera
California rules heatmap·Compare Madera to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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