Pasadena, CA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum pickup frequency
- Weekly recyclables collection (§ 8.61.170(B))
- Customer education
- Literature mailed at least every 6 months
- C&D diversion target
- 75% recycling diversion rate
- Other-waste diversion target
- 60% recycling diversion rate
- Shortfall penalty
- $10-$40 per ton of shortfall tonnage
- Misdemeanor fine
- Up to $1,000 or 6 months jail
Summary
Every solid waste franchise operating in Pasadena must offer recycling to all its customers and collect recyclables at least weekly under Municipal Code Section 8.61.170. Franchisees also owe customers recycling education literature twice a year and must hit a diversion rate or pay per-ton liquidated damages.
A.Each franchisee shall be required to ensure that recycling services are provided for all of its customers either directly or by arrangement with another franchisee.B.Materials to be recycled shall be collected at a minimum of once per week...F.Franchisee shall use its best commercial efforts to provide each customer with on call, curbside pick up of bulky items at intervals of twice per calendar year as a part of its basic commercial solid waste service.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 79 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
170 sets the baseline recycling obligations every nonexclusive solid waste franchise must meet in Pasadena. Subsection A requires each franchisee to ensure recycling service reaches every customer, directly or through arrangement with another franchisee, and subsection B sets a floor of once-a-week collection for recyclable materials. Under subsection C, franchisees must send customers and the city education and informational literature at intervals no greater than six months describing the recycling services offered, what materials qualify, how to participate and a contact phone number, and subsection D requires similar public-awareness material promoting proper disposal of bulky items, hazardous waste, medical waste and electronic waste.
Subsection F obligates franchisees to use best commercial efforts to provide on-call curbside bulky item pickup at least twice a year as part of basic commercial service. 175 sets hard diversion targets: franchisees must recycle at least 75 percent of construction and demolition debris and 60 percent of other solid waste, measured monthly and annually, and a shortfall triggers liquidated damages ranging from $10 to $40 per ton depending on how far below target the franchisee falls, with repeated failure treated as a material breach that can lead to suspension or termination of the franchise.
210(A), punishable by up to a $1,000 fine or six months in jail, or an infraction under subsection B carrying up to a $500 fine per day of violation.
Violations & Fines
A franchisee that misses the weekly recycling pickup, skips required customer education mailings, or falls short of the 75 percent construction-debris or 60 percent solid-waste diversion targets in Section 8.61.175 owes liquidated damages of $10 to $40 per ton of shortfall and risks suspension or termination of its franchise. Violating the chapter is also a misdemeanor, up to $1,000 and six months in jail, or an infraction up to $500 per day under Section 8.61.210.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often must my hauler pick up recyclables in Pasadena?
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What recycling rate must Pasadena's haulers hit?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pasadena
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How other cities in Los Angeles County handle recycling rules.