San Marcos, CA Trash & Recycling: Mandatory Organics Recycling (2026)

SB 1383 is a statewide CalRecycle mandate to cut organic-waste disposal; the County enforces it locally via the Solid Waste Ordinance (Chapter 5, Sec. 68.570 and Article IX, plus Ord. No. 10729 N.S., effective 6-4-21). 'Designated organic materials' (Sec. 68.502) include green materials and food waste. As of October 1, 2021, designated organic materials include green materials and food waste for all premises in densely-populated areas, requiring source separation and a three-stream subscription. Sparsely-populated areas have a narrower obligation: single-family and multi-family premises there are exempt from the food-waste organics requirement (but not from green-material requirements), provided food waste is stored and disposed of lawfully (Sec. 68.570(b)). Residents may manage organics on site (e.g., backyard composting) with an on-site organics management waiver (Sec. 68.575). Under Article IX (Sec. 68.591), commercial edible-food generators must recover edible food: Tier 1 generators since January 1, 2022, and Tier 2 generators since January 1, 2024, by contracting with food recovery organizations or services and keeping records, consistent with 14 CCR sections 18991.3-18991.4. Multi-family and commercial premises generating 2 or more cubic yards per week that use landscapers must require by contract that green materials and wood waste be recycled. Single-family residents managing all organics on-site may seek a waiver.