San Bernardino, CA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

California law requires every jurisdiction to offer commercial recycling (AB 341), commercial organics recycling (AB 1826), and residential and commercial organics diversion (SB 1383). San Bernardino implements these mandates through Municipal Code Chapter 8.24 and its Integrated Waste Management Division. Residents use a blue 96-gallon cart for accepted recyclables: clean paper and cardboard, office paper, metal cans, aluminum, rigid plastics labeled 1 or 2, and glass bottles and jars. Prohibited items in the blue cart include plastic bags, polystyrene foam, food-soiled paper, tanglers such as hoses and wire, diapers, medical waste, batteries, and electronics. Organics go in the green cart per SB 1383 and include fruit and vegetable scraps, meat and dairy, bread and grains, yard waste, untreated wood, and soiled paper such as napkins and pizza boxes. Contaminated carts can be tagged under the Lead Agency Route Review protocol, and repeat contamination can lead to cart removal or a 65 dollar citation per Municipal Code 8.30. Businesses and multi-family properties of five or more units must arrange service through the city franchised hauler and, if generating more than two cubic yards of solid waste per week, must recycle and compost. Grocery stores, restaurants, and food service generators have stricter edible food recovery requirements under SB 1383 Tier 1 and Tier 2.