Mandatory organics recycling in unincorporated Orange County is driven by California SB 1383, not a unique county rule. Effective January 1, 2022, all residences and businesses must separate organic waste (food scraps and yard waste) into the organics cart. The County adopted Ordinance No. 21-011 to implement SB 1383, with enforcement beginning January 1, 2024. Residents cannot opt out.
Organics recycling in unincorporated Orange County is a California state mandate under Senate Bill (SB) 1383, the Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy, administered through CalRecycle. Per the County of Orange Unincorporated WM Service Guide, effective January 1, 2022, all residences, multifamily complexes, and businesses are required to separate organic waste from trash and participate in an organics collection program. Organics consist of food waste and green/yard waste; the organics cart accepts meat, fish, poultry, dairy, fruits, vegetables, bread, pasta, rice, grains, eggshells, plate scrapings, minimal food-soiled paper, grass, leaves, small branches, shrubs, plants, weeds, and garden trimmings. Food waste is co-mingled with green waste in the same organics cart (no separate fourth cart). Residents cannot opt out - the guide states 'No, this is a mandatory service per State Senate Bill 1383,' even for home composters. To implement SB 1383 locally, the County of Orange adopted Ordinance No. 21-011 (2021); per OC Waste & Recycling, statewide enforcement commenced January 1, 2024. SB 1383 also sets a 20% edible-food-recovery goal for large commercial generators. Inspections in OC unincorporated residential areas occur when carts are placed out for pickup, not on private property.
Per OC Waste & Recycling, non-compliant residents and businesses may receive notices of violation, penalties, and/or possible denial of service if contamination is seen during inspections, though warnings and educational materials are provided before fines are issued. Improper container use under SB 1383 may also result in non-service. Enforcement is by OCWR's haulers and OC Public Works Code Enforcement.
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