Paramount, CA Trash & Recycling: Mandatory Organics Recycling (2026)
Key Facts
- Who is covered
- Commercial businesses and multifamily of five or more units
- Container labels required
- New containers beginning January 1, 2022
- New tenant education
- Before or within 14 days of occupation
- Tier two food generators comply
- Commencing January 1, 2024
- Penalty range
- $50.00 to $100.00 first; $250.00 to $500.00 third and later
- Compliance window after notice
- 60 days, except container contamination
Summary
In the City of Paramount, commercial businesses and multifamily properties of five or more units must subscribe to the City's approved collection container service and separate food waste and green container organic waste from recyclables and black container waste under Municipal Code § 13.09.030. Businesses must also inspect containers, train staff and educate tenants, with administrative fines starting at $50.00 to $100.00.
Generators that are commercial businesses, including multifamily residential dwellings, shall: A. Subscribe to the City's approved collection container services and comply with requirements of those services as described below in subsection B of this section, except commercial businesses that meet the self-hauler requirements in Section 13.09.080 of this chapter. ... 1. An approved collection container service shall include one of the following: a. Generators shall place source separated green container organic waste, including food waste, in the green container; source separated recyclable materials in the blue container, if available; and black container waste in the black container. Generators shall not place materials designated for the black container into the green container or blue container. ... H. Annually provide information to employees, contractors, tenants, and customers about organic waste recovery requirements and about proper sorting of source separated brown container food waste, source separated green container organic waste, and source separated recyclable materials.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 13.09, Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction, implements Senate Bill 1383 in the City of Paramount through Ordinance 1156. Section 13.09.030 covers commercial businesses, defined to include firms, nonprofits, strip malls, industrial facilities and multifamily residential dwellings of five or more units. A multifamily dwelling with fewer than five units is not a commercial business.
Each business must subscribe to the City's approved collection container services, unless it qualifies as a self-hauler under § 13.09.080. The City can review container number, size and collection frequency and require a service level adjustment. The service is either a green container for organic waste including food waste, a blue container for recyclables and a black container for the rest, or a service with a designated container labeled for food waste, a green container for green organics, a blue container and a black container. Businesses other than multifamily must put containers for organic waste and recyclables wherever customers have disposal containers, other than restrooms, with body or lid colors matching the City's service or labels showing accepted and prohibited materials. Labels are required on new containers beginning January 1, 2022, and a functional older container does not need replacing before the end of its useful life or January 1, 2036, whichever comes first.
Businesses must periodically inspect containers for contamination and inform employees, provide organic waste information annually, and give new tenants education within 14 days of occupation. Tier one edible food generators, including supermarkets and grocery stores of 10,000 square feet or more, must comply with food recovery from January 1, 2022. Tier two generators, including restaurants with 250 or more seats or 5,000 square feet or more, comply from January 1, 2024 under § 13.09.050. Section 13.09.040 offers de minimis, physical space and collection frequency waivers, including collection once every 14 days instead of once per week.
Violations & Fines
The City of Paramount enforces Chapter 13.09 through notices of violation and administrative citations. Container contamination draws a cart tag or other notice immediately or within seven days, and processing fees or penalties can follow after more than three consecutive occasions. Other violations get a notice requiring compliance within 60 days. Base penalties are then $50.00 to $100.00 for a first violation, $100.00 to $200.00 for a second, and $250.00 to $500.00 for a third or subsequent. Appeals go to an independent hearing officer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which businesses must separate organic waste in the City of Paramount?
Can a low-volume business get a waiver?
What is a physical space waiver?
Do containers need specific colors or labels?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Paramount
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