Turlock, CA Trash & Recycling: Mandatory Organics Recycling (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- TMC § 6-3-108(a)(2)
- Applies to
- All homes, multifamily, and businesses
- Adopted
- 2022, implements state SB 1383
- Waiver available
- De minimis and physical-space waivers
- Penalty for contamination
- Fee plus mandatory service upgrade
Summary
Every Turlock home and business must sort food scraps and other organic waste into the green compost container: mixing organics into the garbage container violates the city's SB 1383 compliance ordinance.
Generators shall place source separated organic waste, including food waste, in the compost container; source separated recyclable materials in the recycling container; and garbage container waste (garbage) in the garbage container. Generators shall not place materials designated for the garbage container in the compost container or the recycling container.
(3) Place garbage containers, recycling containers, and compost containers on the curb on the day specified for collection, unless a waiver has been granted by the Municipal Services Director pursuant to this chapter. Containers shall be placed in front of the premises in a location reasonably convenient for semiautomated or automated collection. The only exception would be if generator has reached an agreement with franchised collector for an alternative collection location.
(4) Maintain garbage containers, recycling containers, and compost containers in a sanitary condition at all times. Any bulky material must be reduced in size so that it may be placed in the appropriate container not overflowing and with the cover tightly closed and without excessive tamping, so that the container may be easily emptied.
(5) The gross weight of any one (1) compost container shall not be in excess of one hundred fifty (150) pounds. The maximum length of any item placed in a compost container shall be four (4') feet.
(6)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4937289; v6 updated 2026-06-25).
Full Breakdown
Turlock Municipal Code Section 6-3-108 requires every generator, single-family residents, multifamily buildings, and commercial businesses, to maintain separate garbage, compost, and recycling containers and place source-separated organic waste, including food scraps, in the green compost container rather than the garbage container. The rule implements the state's SB 1383 organic-waste-reduction mandate. Businesses that generate very little organic waste, or self-haulers who meet the chapter's separate requirements, can request a waiver from the Municipal Services Director instead of participating.
Violations & Fines
Unseparated organic waste left in the wrong container is treated as a public nuisance; repeat contamination triggers an automatic upgrade to larger service and a cart contamination fee under TMC 6-3-111.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Turlock residents have to separate food scraps from trash?
Can a small business skip the organics program?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Turlock
California rules heatmap·Compare Turlock to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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