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Mountain View, CA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

State mandates
AB 341, AB 1826, SB 1383
Blue cart
Paper, metals, glass, rigid plastic
Green cart
Food scraps, yard trimmings
Not accepted
Plastic bags, foam, batteries, e-waste
Commercial
Required for 5+ unit buildings

Summary

Mountain View residents and businesses must separate recyclables and organics from trash under California AB 341, AB 1826, and SB 1383. Recology provides three-cart service for compliance.

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. 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

California mandates source separation of recyclables (AB 341), organic waste (AB 1826), and edible food recovery (SB 1383). Mountain View implements these through Recology's three-cart system. The blue cart accepts paper, cardboard, aluminum, tin, rigid plastics #1-#7, and glass bottles and jars. The green organics cart takes food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings, all of which go to a composting facility. The gray trash cart is for residual waste only. Plastic bags, polystyrene foam, textiles, batteries, electronics, and sharps are not accepted in curbside carts. Commercial businesses and multi-family properties of 5 or more units must subscribe to recycling and organics service and conduct employee training. Contamination surcharges may apply if carts contain prohibited materials. Mountain View requires reusable or compostable foodware at food-service establishments under its own environmental ordinance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put food scraps in the green cart?
Yes. Since SB 1383 took effect in 2022, all food waste including meat and dairy must go in the green organics cart along with yard trimmings.
Where do I recycle plastic bags?
Return clean plastic bags and film to grocery store drop-off bins. They jam sorting equipment if placed in the blue curbside cart.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Mountain View

All Mountain View rules

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