Lake County, CA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Lake County's recycling program provides a free blue recycling cart to any resident who subscribes to curbside garbage collection (recycling and green-waste carts come at no charge). The recycling cart accepts newspaper, household paper, magazines, cardboard, food and beverage glass, metal cans, and plastic food and beverage containers; lids are not recyclable and go in the trash. The County notes that 75% to 90% of the waste stream can be recycled, and that most food and green waste can be composted at home or taken to a compost facility. Self-haulers can drop recyclables at drop-off centers at no charge, while California Refund Value (CRV) beverage containers can be redeemed for cash at buy-back centers. Because curbside service is voluntary in the unincorporated county, there is no countywide ordinance forcing every household to subscribe to recycling; however, statewide law (SB 1383 and the mandatory commercial recycling program) requires covered businesses to arrange recycling, and the Lake County Public Services / Waste Management Division administers these programs. The Division of Environmental Health enforces state solid-waste regulations locally.