Mandatory Recycling Laws

Commercial Recycling – It’s the law!

California State Assembly Bill 341 (AB 341) made commercial recycling mandatory in 2012. A business (including public entities) that generates four (4) cubic yards or more of commercial solid waste per week or is a multifamily residential dwelling of five (5) units or more shall arrange for recycling services. This law is often referred to as, Mandatory Commercial Recycling or MCR.

California State Assembly Bill 1826 (AB 1826) made commercial organic recycling mandatory in 2016. As of January 1, 2020, a business (including public entities) that generates two (2) cubic yards or more of commercial solid waste per week or is a multifamily residential dwelling of five (5) units or more shall arrange for organic recycling services.  This law is often referred to as Mandatory Organics Recycling or MORe and is now superseded by SB 1383. 

In addition, California State Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) establishes organics diversion regulations that require nearly all residential and commercial entities to recycle organic material. There is also a statewide goal that the maximum amount of recoverable edible food that is currently landfilled shall be donated to food recovery organizations that serve food insecure populations.  We continue to use MORe to reference both organic waste diversion laws.  

Finally, AB 827 amended AB 341 and AB 1826. It is intended to educate and involve consumers in achieving the state’s recycling goals by requiring businesses subject to MCR and/or MORe to make recycling and/or organic recycling bins available to customers.

The City has its own Solid Waste Ordinances as well.  The City’s Ordinance (2372) governs the solid waste collection, handling, and processing in the city limits. This ordinance regulates and controls the collecting, transporting, processing, marketing, transferring, and disposing of solid waste and recyclable materials by the city. 

There is also an ordinance (2861) that readopts and establishes the solid waste system and user fees.

Businesses and Multi-Family units can comply with the law by subscribing to organic recycling services with the Environmental Resources Division. Depending on the organic material generated, either green waste collection, food waste collection, or both may be necessary. There may also be opportunities for small-scale community composting where organic materials are managed on-site.

Environmental Resources staff are available to consult with businesses and perform waste assessments.  We are here to help determine the best mix of organics, recycling, and waste containers necessary (called right-sizing) to maximize both recovery and savings. Send an email to recycle@oxnard.org or call (805) 200-2206 to learn more.

Waivers

In certain situations, waivers can be granted for compliance with mandatory organic diversion.  You can download these forms and send them via email or regular mail. 

Special Conditions – there are two possible waiver conditions.  A property can apply for both conditions under both MCR and MORe/AB 1383.  To this, please use the Special Conditions Waiver Form in English or Versión en español. 

• Lack of space – Lack of sufficient space in multifamily complexes or businesses to provide additional organic recycling bins.
• Low volume generation – Where an organization generates:
  • two (2) cubic yards or more of solid waste per week and the generation of organic waste is 20 gallons or less per week.
  • less than two (2) cubic yards of solid waste per week and generation of organic waste is 10 gallons or less per week.

Alternative Services – there are three possible alternative service conditions

Businesses and Multi-Family Units that choose not to use the Environmental Resources Division services and instead rely on a third-party hauler, self-haul, or back-haul their waste, must annually certify what materials are diverted from the landfill, how they are diverted, and provide estimated diversion quantities. Furthermore, 3rd party haulers operating within the City of Oxnard city limits must also fill out this form to self-report their diversion activities.  

To do this, please use the Alternative Service Certification Form in English or the Versión en español.

You can also email this form or mail it via regular mail. 

Special Condition waivers are granted on a case-by-case basis and must be verified every five years. Alternative Service waivers are required to be submitted annually.  To begin the waiver process, please complete the form below, and send it with supporting photographic evidence to recycle@oxnard.org.  To send via regular mail, please send it to:

MCR/MORe Recycling Waiver
City of Oxnard Environmental Resources Division
111 S Del Norte Blvd.
Oxnard, CA 93030