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

Sec. 13(a) requires every generator, single-family, multi-family and commercial, to subscribe to a three-container service (garbage, compost and recyclable materials) with the city's exclusive franchisee, maintain enough capacity for source-separated organic waste, and place food waste in the compost container rather than the garbage or recycling cart. Commercial businesses must also supply labeled or color-coded (gray/black garbage, blue recycling, green organics) user containers under Sec. 13(b), with new containers required to meet the color scheme starting January 1, 2022 (older containers may run through January 1, 2036).

Sec. 15 lets the public works director grant de minimis waivers (organic waste under 20 gallons/week for accounts of two cubic yards or more, or under 10 gallons/week for smaller accounts) or physical-space waivers, both requiring a written application and re-verification every five years. Tier One commercial edible food generators (large restaurants, hotels, health facilities) had to start diverting edible food to recovery organizations by January 1, 2022, and Tier Two generators by January 1, 2024, under Sec. 22, including annual food-recovery reports to the city.

Self-haulers must still subscribe to three-container service and, if a commercial business, keep delivery receipts and weight records for organic waste hauled to a processing facility under Sec. 25. The city may inspect containers, including by remote monitoring equipment installed on carts, under Sec. 31 to confirm compliance, though it may not enter the interior of a private residence.