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Antioch, CA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Light Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified April 2026

Key Facts

Recycling Program
Single-stream recycling in blue cart
Organics Program
SB 1383 organics mandatory in green cart
No plastic bags/film
No plastic bags/film in curbside recycling
Businesses 4+ cy/week
Businesses 4+ cy/week must recycle (AB 341)
Contamination
Contamination triggers warnings and fees

Summary

Antioch's curbside recycling is single-stream via Republic Services. SB 1383 mandates organics recycling (food scraps + yard waste) in the green cart for all residents and businesses. Mandatory commercial and multi-family recycling applies under AB 341 and AB 1826.

California's Organic Waste Reduction SB 1383 Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy Landfilled food and other organic waste rotting in landfills emits methane climate pollution contributing to California's hotter summers, more frequent droughts, and more wildfires. Fight Climate Change by Recycling Organic Waste To reduce methane pollution and other short-lived climate pollutants, California passed SB 1383 (Lara, 2016). The law set targets for 2025: 75% less organic waste sent to landfills. 20% of unsold, still-edible food sent to food recovery organizations. Landfills Are Third Largest Source of Methane in California Organic waste in landfills emits: 20% of the state's methane, a climate super pollutant that heats 84 times more than carbon dioxide. Air pollutants like PM 2.5, which contributes to health conditions like asthma. Organics like food scraps, yard trimmings, paper, and cardboard make up half of what Californians dump in landfills. Collections All jurisdictions need to provide organic waste collection services to all residents and businesses, and recycle organic waste. Procurement Procurement requirement information. Jurisdictions must use the products made from the recycled organic material, such as compost and mulch. Food Recovery Some food service businesses must donate unsold food to food recovery organizations to help some of the 1 in 5 Californians without enough to eat. Capacity Planning Counties must take the lead to plan for needed organic waste recycling and food recovery capacity. Enforcement Enforcement provisions support jurisdictions, non-local entities, local education districts, state, and federal facilities.

Source: CalRecycle SB 1383View official code

Full Breakdown

Antioch's recycling program operates under California's layered recycling mandates: AB 341 (75% statewide diversion goal, mandatory commercial recycling for businesses generating 4+ cubic yards/week), AB 1826 (mandatory organics recycling for commercial generators), and SB 1383 (mandatory residential and commercial organics recycling plus 20% edible food recovery by 2025). Curbside recycling accepts: clean paper, cardboard (flattened), newspaper, magazines, mixed plastics #1–#7 (bottles, tubs, jugs, no plastic bags, no film, no foam), aluminum and steel cans, clean glass bottles and jars, aseptic cartons, and aerosol cans (empty).

NOT accepted in the blue cart: plastic bags/film (take to grocery store bins), polystyrene foam, food-contaminated paper, Styrofoam, ceramics, mirrors, window glass, needles, batteries, and electronics. The green organics cart accepts: yard trimmings, leaves, branches under 4 inches diameter, grass clippings, food scraps (including meat, bones, dairy), food-soiled paper (napkins, pizza boxes, paper plates), and BPI-certified compostable bags. NOT accepted in green cart: pet waste, diapers, treated wood, palm fronds (check), plastic of any kind except certified compostable. Contamination tags escalate from warnings to surcharges.

Multi-family properties must provide recycling and organics service to all units under SB 1383, property owners are responsible for adequate signage and bin access. Businesses must subscribe to organics service and may self-haul or share service under specific rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use the green organics cart?
Yes. SB 1383 requires all California residents and businesses to separate organic waste (food scraps and yard waste). Opt-out waivers are rare and must be approved by the city.
Can I put food scraps in a plastic bag in the green cart?
No. Use BPI-certified compostable bags, paper bags, or place loose food scraps directly in the cart. Regular plastic contaminates the compost.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Antioch

All Antioch rules

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