Tulare County, CA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)

Section 4-03-1640 makes recycling and organics recovery mandatory for every Commercial Generator, defined to include all multifamily dwellings of five units or more and smaller multifamily properties that share a single hauler subscription. Each business is automatically enrolled in the county's three-container service with a Source Separated Recycling Materials level and a Source Separated Green Container Organic Waste level set by the Solid Waste Director, who can raise the required service level over time and inspect the number, size and location of a business's containers for adequacy.

Businesses must place recyclables only in the Blue Container, organics only in the Green Container and nonorganic trash only in the Gray Container; placing a Prohibited Container Contaminant in any of the three is unlawful under § 4-03-1640(b) and can bring a contamination processing fee or an Enforcement Action under § 4-03-1675. Businesses must post signage in work and common areas describing what belongs in each container, give new tenants written instructions within 14 days of occupancy, and provide employees annual education on sorting requirements.

Container body or lid colors must match the county's collection-service colors, or carry labels stating accepted and prohibited materials, for any container purchased after January 1, 2022; containers bought earlier may be used until January 1, 2036. A business may seek an exemption from the Solid Waste Director if it generates no organic or recyclable material, lacks space to store separate containers, or would violate county zoning by complying, though exemptions are unavailable to businesses covered by AB 1826 or AB 341.