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

The Solid Waste Ordinance (County Code Chapter 5, Sec. 68.570) requires owners, occupants, or operators of single-family, multi-family, and commercial premises to source-separate and store designated recyclable materials separately from solid waste, and arrange recycling through a three-stream subscription with a non-exclusive franchise hauler, a Certified Recyclable Materials Collector (CRMC), or by self-hauling (registration with the County required). Designated recyclables include paper and paper products, rigid plastics (#1-#7), glass, tin/metal, and similar materials. The ordinance incorporates California's recycling mandates: AB 341 (commercial recycling), AB 1826 and SB 1383 (organics), and AB 827 (customer-facing bins). For commercial and multi-family premises in densely-populated areas, the County sets a minimum diversion service-level ratio of 35% - meaning at least 35% of weekly container capacity must be available for recyclables and organics. Businesses must provide labeled, color-matched containers, co-locate trash and recycling bins for customers (except restrooms), train employees annually, and accommodate County inspections. Multi-family complexes (5+ units) should provide a minimum of 20 gallons of recycling capacity per unit. Sec. 68.570(i) prohibits disposing of designated recyclables as trash. Waivers are available for de minimis generation, physical space constraints, or on-site management.