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

California requires recycling programs that reach Tehama County even though the unincorporated area has no mandatory municipal collection. Statewide mandatory commercial recycling (AB 341) and mandatory commercial organics recycling (AB 1826) obligate qualifying businesses and multifamily complexes to arrange recycling service, and SB 1383 (see Mandatory Organics) layers additional organic-waste recycling duties. To support diversion, the County runs a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) co-located with the Tehama County/Red Bluff Sanitary Landfill at 19995 Plymire Rd., Red Bluff, where recyclable materials are recovered. The County Landfill Agency promotes the waste hierarchy — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and rePurchase recycled products — stating that 'disposal is the last resort.' For residents, recycling participation in unincorporated areas is generally through a subscribed private hauler's commingled recycling service or by separating recyclables and bringing them to the landfill/MRF. There is no county-published curbside-recycling mandate forcing every household to subscribe. Specific separation and contamination rules for subscribers come from the private hauler; businesses must independently confirm their obligations under AB 341/AB 1826/SB 1383. For program details, residents should consult the Landfill Agency.