Mixed Recycling

recycling on floor open_in_full

Which materials should be recycled?

Paper, cardboard, hard plastics (numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7), aluminum/metal containers, and all colors of glass bottles and jars. Contact your hauler to learn more about what is acceptable/unacceptable, and how acceptable items must be prepared.

Who needs to comply?

Materials recycling services are mandatory for all businesses and multi-family properties with five units or more in the state of California. Before proceeding with the compliance instructions below, please ensure your commercial property is within the City of Sacramento with our address lookup tool.

How do I comply?

Recycling services that meet State Mandates and Sacramento City Code are mandatory. If you are required to have mixed recycling service and have not complied, your waste hauler will provide advance notice before delivering a mixed recycling bin and starting the state mandated collection services. Your property may also be subject to fines and fees for non-compliance issued by the City of Sacramento. There are three ways which you can be considered in compliance with the law.

Businesses must select one or more of the following options (Businesses and commercial properties may not bring mixed recyclable materials home to place in a residential cart):

1) Sign-up for recycling service

Call your waste hauler today to sign up for recycling service. You may also choose a different Franchised Hauler to collect and haul your recyclables.

  • Mixed Recycling Minimum Service: Mixed recycling must be collected or removed from the property at least once per month.

2) Alternative recycling services

Complete and submit the Alternative Service Verification portion in the Recycling Compliance Form. if your property uses one or more of these alternative recycling services:

  1. Third-Party Recycler: The business contracts with a recycler, who is not a franchised hauler, who collects and recycles all generated mixed recyclable material. Required: All valid contracts between the property and each alternative service recycler must be submitted with your Recycling Compliance Form and retained on-site for verification during inspection. 

  2. Self-Haul: The business self-hauls all mixed recycling materials generated to a local licensed recycling facility. Businesses and commercial properties may not bring mixed recyclable materials home to place in a residential cart. Required: Copies of weigh ticket or receipts from a licensed recycling facility must be submitted with your Recycling Compliance Form and retained on-site for verification during inspection. 

  3. Shared Container: The business has a written shared service agreement to place all mixed recyclable material in an immediately adjacent commercial property's recycling container to be recycled. Commercial properties may not share containers with residential properties. Required: Evidence that all parties agree to sharing the container and a copy of the recycling collection services contract must be submitted with your Recycling Compliance Form and retained on-site for verification during inspection. 

  4. Backhaul: The business hauls its mixed recyclable materials back to a central or corporate location to be collected for recycling. Required: Contracts or other proof of evidence must be submitted with your Recycling Compliance Form and retained on-site for verification during inspection.

3) Physical space waiver (rare)

If the business does not have adequate space for the smallest recycling container, complete the Physical Space Waiver portion on the Recycling Compliance Form. Note: Supporting documents are required as evidence that the business does not have space for a 90-gallon cart, one of the smallest carts available. 90-gallon carts are approximately 27" wide x 36" deep x 45" high.

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