Moreno Valley, CA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Note
- SB 1383 mandates organic waste separation statewide
- Note
- Three-cart system: black (trash), blue (recycle), green (organics)
- Note
- Food scraps and food-soiled paper belong in green cart
- Requirement
- Businesses >=2 cubic yards/week must recycle and compost
- Fine Range
- Up to $2,000 per individual offense
Summary
Moreno Valley residents and businesses must separate organic waste, recyclables, and trash into the correct carts under California SB 1383, with enforcement starting with education and escalating to fines of up to $500 per violation for repeat offenders.
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. [...] 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.
Full Breakdown
California SB 1383, fully phased in statewide, requires every jurisdiction to provide organic waste collection and requires residents and businesses to participate. Moreno Valley implements SB 1383 through Waste Management's three-cart program. Organic waste includes food scraps (fruit and vegetable peels, meat, bones, dairy), food-soiled paper (napkins, paper towels, pizza boxes), and yard trimmings, all of which go in the green cart. Mixed recyclables (clean paper, cardboard, rigid plastics #1 and #2, aluminum, steel, and glass) go in the blue cart. The gray/black cart is reserved for non-recyclable, non-organic waste.
Businesses generating 2 cubic yards or more of solid waste per week must have organic and recycling collection services and may need to provide employee education, per SB 1383 and the state mandatory commercial recycling program (AB 341). Enforcement escalates through notice of violation, education, and citations starting at $100 and up to $500 for repeat or egregious violations. Edible food recovery mandates apply to supermarkets and large food businesses (Tier 1 and 2 generators).
Violations & Fines
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Moreno Valley code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put meat and dairy in the green cart?
What goes in the blue recycling cart?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Moreno Valley
California rules heatmap·Compare Moreno Valley to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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Recycling Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle recycling requirements.