Organic Waste & Recycling

What is Organic Waste?

Organic waste is any material that is biodegradable and comes from either a plant or an animal. Biodegradable waste is organic material that can be broken into carbon dioxide, methane or simple organic molecules. Examples of organic waste include green waste, food waste, food-soiled paper, non-hazardous wood waste, green waste, and landscape and pruning waste. Recycling organic waste will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Purpose

When organic waste is dumped in landfills, it undergoes anaerobic decomposition (due to the lack of oxygen) and produces methane. When released into the atmosphere, methane is 20 times more potent a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Organics recycling reduces greenhouse emission while conserving our natural resources.

SB 1383

In September 2016, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill (SB) 1383, the Short-Lived Climate Pollutants Bill, into law. Under SB 1383, local jurisdictions are required to adopt a mandatory and enforceable organic waste recycling ordinance. In addition, local jurisdictions must provide organic waste collection and recycling services to all residential, both single-family and multi-family dwellings, and commercial businesses within their boundaries. Under SB 1383, organic waste is not only limited to food waste but also includes green waste, wood waste, landscape and pruning waste, food-soiled paper waste, and fibers such as paper and cardboard.


State Law AB 1826

In an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions State Law AB 1826 was passed and mandates all businesses and multi-family properties to recycle their organic waste beginning April 1, 2016, depending on the amount of waste generated per week. This law also requires that local jurisdictions across the state implement an organic waste recycling program by January 1, 2016.

Commercial Organics Requirements

Who must comply?

All businesses that produce organic waste may be subject to complying with organic recycling, this includes restaurants, hotels, retail establishments and multi-family residential dwellings of five or more units. Multi-family dwellings, which include apartments, town homes, and condominiums, are only required to recycle green waste (yard trimmings, grass clippings, weeds, etc).

How do I comply?

Businesses and multi-family complexes can meet the mandatory organics recycling requirements by taking one or more of the following actions:

   1. Source-separate organic waste from all other waste. Contact Republic Services at 800-299-4898 to arrange
        for organic waste recycling services.
   2. Sell or donate the generated organic waste to an accredited facility (contact Republic Services at 800-299-
        4898, for a list of facilities).
   3. Sign up for an organic waste recycling service that includes mixed-waste processing that specifically
        recycles organic waste.
   4. Recycle organic waste onsite or self-haul organic waste for recycling. Note, the City will require a permit to
        self-haul.

Organics Recycling Timeline

  • April 1, 2016 - Businesses that generate eight or more cubic yards of organic waste must arrange for organics recycling service.
  • January 1, 2017 - Generators of four or more cubic yards or organics waste per week are subject to the organic waste diversion requirements.
  • January 1, 2019 - Generators of four or more cubic yards of total solid waste per week are subject to the organic waste diversion requirements.
  • January 1, 2021 - If organics waste disposal has not been reduced by at least 50 percent, generators of two cubic yards per week of total solid waste are subject to the organic waste diversion requirements

Did You Know?

  • The methane gas generated from food waste is 20 to 25 times stronger than CO2. 
  • Soil with compost is more nutritious and holds water better, and has more microbes, which makes for healthier soil and protects plants from disease.
  • Recyclable organic waste accounts for about 40 percent of all the materials California send to landfills each year. Out of the 40 percent of organic material that sits in landfills, 30 percent could be used for compost or mulch.

Food Pantries

Food uncertainty affects 41 million people in the United States. There are numerous food pantries working to feed the hungry throughout LA County that need steady sources of food. Restaurants, as well as other commercial businesses, can donate their left over food to various pantries throughout Los Angeles County. Many organizations offer a free pick up service.

The City of Rosemead is participating in the FRESH SGV program, a collaboration with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
(SGVCOG). Together, we've partnered with three local nonprofits to launch regional food recovery hubs. Hubs collect surplus food
from grocery stores and restaurants and redistribute it to smaller food banks, food pantries, or directly to the community to reduce
food waste and food insecurity in our community.

Each hub serves a subregion within the San Gabriel Valley. The subregional hubs, their service areas, and their contact information
are listed below:

  • Foothill Unity Center, Inc.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     ○  Serving: Baldwin Park, Duarte, Irwindale, La Cañada-Flintridge, and Monrovia                                                                                                                         ○ Email: [email protected]                                                                                                                                                                                                       ○ Phone: (626) 650-1268
  •  Heart of Compassion                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             ○ Serving: Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, and South El Monte                                                                                                                                           ○ Email: [email protected]                                                                                                                                                                                                   ○ Phone: (323) 727-7997
  • God’s Pantry                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             ○ Serving: Azusa, Covina, Glendora, and Pomona                                                                                                                                                                                     ○ Email: [email protected]                                                                                                                                                                                                                   ○ Phone:(909) 967-5555

Lean more at sgvcog.org/regional-food-recovery-program.

How do I contact my hauler?

Republic Services is the franchise hauler within the City. To learn more about Organic Waste Recycling, call Republic Services at 800-299-4898.

Additional Resources

For additional information, please visit the below California Department of Resources, Recycling, and Recovery (CalRecycle) websites: