Highland, CA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)

Section 8.12.330 protects the recycling stream in the City of Highland. Subsection A transfers ownership: upon placement of recyclable waste material at a designated recycling collection location for collection by an authorized recycling contractor, the material becomes the property of that contractor. Subsection B backs it with a timed ban. During the 24-hour period commencing at 6:00 p.m. on any day preceding a day designated for collection, no person other than the city or its authorized recycling contractor can remove recyclable waste material placed at a designated location. Each collection in violation from one or more locations during that period is a violation of the municipal code, so the count is per removal, not per night.

Enforcement runs two ways. Under subsection D, the city manager or his designee can enforce the section, in addition to the authority of police officers under the city's ordinances. Under subsection E, the authorized recycling contractor keeps its own right to bring a civil action against anyone who violates subsection B, and a conviction does not shield the person from that suit.

Residents keep their own rights. Subsection C preserves the right of an individual, organization or other entity to donate, sell or otherwise dispose of recyclable waste material, provided the disposal follows the chapter. The chapter defines recyclable waste material to include newspapers, cardboard and other paper products, glass, plastic, aluminum and metal cans, and compostables separated from garbage for recycling.

Related duties round out the picture. Recyclables go in the standard containers or bins approved by the public works subcommittee and the collector under § 8.12.170(A). Commercial recycling is a mandatory service under § 8.12.120(D). Sections 8.12.220 and 8.12.260 restrict anyone but the franchisee or an authorized person from collecting recyclable materials for hire from franchised premises. Chapter 8.13, Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction, adds a separate layer tied to CalRecycle's SB 1383 regulations.