San Joaquin County, CA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Blue Cart
- Paper, glass, metal, #1–#5
- Green Cart
- Yard + food (SB 1383)
- Not Accepted
- Plastic bags, film, foam
- Commercial
- Edible food recovery req'd
- Effective
- SB 1383 Jan 2022
Summary
Curbside recycling and SB 1383 organics diversion are mandatory in unincorporated San Joaquin County for all single-family, multifamily, and commercial generators. Blue cart accepts paper, cardboard, glass bottles, metal cans, and rigid plastics #1–#5. Green cart is for yard waste + food scraps. Contaminated carts are skipped.
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. 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. Waste Haulers Each jurisdiction implements organics recycling and other solid waste programs with state minimum standards with local hauler requirements.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
San Joaquin County's franchise residential program accepts the following in the blue recycling cart: clean paper and cardboard (broken down), aluminum and steel cans, glass bottles and jars, rigid plastic containers labeled #1 PET, #2 HDPE, #3–#5. Plastic bags, plastic film, Styrofoam, and to-go cups are NOT accepted curbside, plastic bags go to grocery-store take-back bins. Under California SB 1383 (effective January 2022), all residential and commercial generators must divert organic waste, which is handled through the green cart: yard trimmings plus food scraps (meat, dairy, and cooked foods acceptable). Commercial generators over specified thresholds must also arrange for edible food recovery and donate surplus to food recovery organizations. Multifamily buildings of 5+ units must provide both recycling and organics collection to tenants per CalRecycle rules. CRV containers (aluminum cans, plastic and glass beverage bottles) carry a 5¢ or 10¢ deposit redeemable at certified recycling centers, most residents forgo redemption and place CRV in the blue cart.
Violations & Fines
Contaminated blue or green cart: tag/skip; repeat contamination $25–$100. Multifamily or commercial failure to provide organics service: CalRecycle/county penalties escalating to $500/day after January 2024. Putting organics in trash: warning first, then fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are typical penalties for violating recycling requirements rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Joaquin County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Joaquin County to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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