Merced, CA Trash & Recycling: Mandatory Organics Recycling (2026)

04's Article V, adopted in 2021 to implement California's mandatory commercial organics recycling law, requires every commercial waste generator, defined to include commercial facilities, multifamily dwellings, and special events, to subscribe to adequate recycling and organics service unless they self-haul (Sec. A). Sec. B specifically requires commercial and food-service establishments to segregate organic materials, including food waste, from garbage by placing each type of material in its own designated container, and to make sure employees, contractors, volunteers and customers do the same. Generators must provide an adequate number of labeled bins (Sec.

C), post signage explaining sorting rules where containers sit (Sec. D), label every container so users can tell organics, recyclables, and garbage apart (Sec. E), and train employees and contractors on the segregation requirements, keeping training materials available to the city on request (Sec. F, G). The city enforces the chapter under Sec. 920: generators whose organics or recycling containers show unacceptable contamination are assessed a fee scaled to container size, and a generator who won't meet the segregation requirements can have the director of public works impose city-run collection service on the property.

The city or its designee may inspect any collection container, any hauler's load, and the premises of any commercial facility, multifamily dwelling, or special event to check compliance.