Santa Clara County, CA Trash & Recycling: Mandatory Organics Recycling (2026)
Key Facts
- State law
- California SB 1383 (organics)
- Organics container
- Green cart (Sec. B11-189)
- Organic waste defined
- Food, food-soiled paper, yard trimmings
- Commercial/multifamily 5+
- Organics service required
- Auto-enroll non-compliant
- Begins July 1, 2026
- De Minimis waiver
- Available for minimal generators
Summary
Under California SB 1383 and the County garbage code, residents and businesses in unincorporated Santa Clara County must separate organic waste (food scraps, food-soiled paper, yard trimmings) into the green container. Commercial and multifamily (5+ unit) generators must have organics service; non-compliant businesses are auto-enrolled and billed starting July 1, 2026.
This bill would require the state board, no later than January 1, 2018, to approve and begin implementing that comprehensive strategy to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants to achieve a reduction in methane by 40%, hydrofluorocarbon gases by 40%, and anthropogenic black carbon by 50% below 2013 levels by 2030, as specified. The bill also would establish specified targets for reducing organic waste in landfills. The bill would require the department, in consultation with the state board, to adopt regulations that achieve the specified targets for reducing organic waste in landfills.
Full Breakdown
Mandatory organics collection is driven by California Senate Bill 1383, the Short-Lived Climate Pollutant law, and implemented locally through Division B11, Chapter IX (Ord. 94). Section B11-189 requires producers to place source-separated green-container organic waste, including food waste, in the green container, and Section B11-184 makes the three-container service (which includes the green organics cart) mandatory for residential and nonresidential premises. The County defines organic waste as yard trimmings, food (scraps and waste), and food-soiled paper. Commercial businesses and multifamily complexes of five or more units in the unincorporated area are required to have collection service for refuse, recyclables, and food/organic waste; if a business fails to subscribe or obtain a waiver, the County will automatically enroll and bill it for the required services starting July 1, 2026.
The County offers a De Minimis waiver from the green organics container for eligible businesses that demonstrate they generate minimal organic waste. Haulers serving the unincorporated area are GreenWaste Recovery (District South) and GreenTeam of San Jose (District West). The County also runs an edible food recovery program under SB 1383. Residents are part of the same three-cart framework and must separate organics into the green cart; cart set-outs are monitored for contamination.
Violations & Fines
Businesses and multifamily complexes that do not subscribe to required organics service or obtain a waiver are automatically enrolled and billed starting July 1, 2026. Placing gray-container waste in the green organics cart or adding prohibited contaminants violates Sec. B11-189, and SB 1383 establishes statewide organics-separation obligations enforced through the County program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to compost food scraps in unincorporated Santa Clara County?
My business generates very little food waste. Do I still need a green bin?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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