Martinez, CA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Detail
- SB 1383 mandates food scrap separation statewide
- Detail
- Blue cart: paper, cardboard, glass, metal, #1/#2/#5 plastics
- Waste
- Green cart: yard waste plus all food scraps
- Waste
- Commercial/multi-family recycling required under AB 341/AB 1826
- Detail
- HHW drop-off at 4797 Imhoff Place
Summary
Mandatory recycling and organics diversion apply to all Martinez residents and businesses under California SB 1383 and AB 341/AB 1826. Residents must separate recyclables into the blue cart and organics (yard waste plus food scraps including meat and dairy) into the green cart. Contamination of recycling loads can trigger warnings and fees. Multi-family and commercial properties generating four or more cubic yards of waste weekly must subscribe to recycling and organics service.
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.
Full Breakdown
California's Short-Lived Climate Pollutants law, SB 1383 (2016), became fully enforceable in 2022 and requires every Californian to separate organic waste (including food scraps) from garbage. Martinez implements SB 1383 through its franchise with Republic Services and through MMC Chapter 8.10. Residents place food scraps (meat, dairy, produce, bread, coffee grounds) along with yard trimmings in the green organics cart. Food-soiled paper and BPI-certified compostable products may also go in the green cart.
The blue recycling cart accepts paper, flattened cardboard, glass bottles and jars, aluminum and steel cans, and rigid plastics numbered 1, 2, and 5. Plastic bags, film, foam (EPS), needles, batteries, and electronics are prohibited from both carts. Batteries and electronics must be taken to the Contra Costa Household Hazardous Waste facility at 4797 Imhoff Place.
AB 341 (commercial recycling) applies to businesses generating 4+ cubic yards of solid waste weekly and to multi-family properties with 5+ units. AB 1826 extends mandatory organics recycling to these same generators. SB 1383 also requires edible food recovery: Tier 1 generators (supermarkets, large food distributors) must donate surplus edible food to food recovery organizations; Tier 2 (restaurants over 5,000 sq ft, hotels with on-site food facilities of 200+ rooms) phased in beginning 2024. Contamination fees and escalating enforcement (warnings, fines up to $100 per violation for residential; higher for commercial) apply under state-mandated local enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put meat and dairy in the green cart?
What happens if my recycling is contaminated?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Martinez
California rules heatmap·Compare Martinez to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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Recycling Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Contra Costa County handle recycling requirements.