The State of California enacted AB 341, which required businesses and multi-family communities to have a recycling program in place by July 1, 2012. This article explains the regulation and provides a pathway to compliance.
WHY RECYCLE? According to 2008 Statewide Waste Characterization data, the commercial sector generates nearly three fourths of the solid waste in California. Furthermore, much of the commercial sector solid waste disposed in landfills is readily recyclable.
BUSINESS COMMERCIAL RECYCLING REQUIREMENTS: A business that generates four cubic yards or more of commercial solid waste per week, or is a multi-family residential dwelling of five units or more, must arrange for recycling services.
Businesses can take one, or any combination of the following, in order to reuse, recycle, compost, or otherwise divert solid waste from disposal:
· Self-haul.
· Subscribe to a hauler(s).
· Arrange for the pickup of recyclable materials.
· Subscribe to a recycling service that may include mixed waste processing that yields diversion results comparable to source separation.
· All businesses that contract for gardening or landscaping services must stipulate that the contractor recycle the resulting gardening or landscaping waste.
The City of Turlock and Turlock Scavenger Company have services available to assist businesses and multi-family residences to be fully compliant. For commercial businesses who do not currently subscribe to recycling service, but meet the threshold for service requirements, contact Turlock Scavenger Company immediately at (209) 668-7274 to arrange for recycling service.
Businesses and multi-family residential complexes that meet the threshold are required to place co-mingled recyclable materials in the bins or containers provided by Turlock Scavenger Company.
INFORMATION FOR APARTMENT OWNERS-MANAGERS: It is important that both apartment managers and tenants understand the requirements to recycle, which materials can be recycled and where to place them for collection.
· State law requires multi-family communities with 5 or more units to recycle.
· State law requires apartment owners to offer recycling services, and residents are required by law to recycle.
· Materials are available to assist in educating tenants about proper procedures for recycling. Check the City of Turlock’s website at www.cityofturlock.org, for regular updates and brochures for printing and distribution to tenants.
· Consider placing information in areas such as laundry rooms or at garbage collection locations.
· Consider providing information to new tenants when the lease is signed and annually to all other tenants.
· Consider including recycling requirements in tenant leases.
· Information about multi-family recycling is also available from the California Apartment Association at https://caanet.org/kb/recycling-california-multifamily-recycling-act/.
BE SURE TO EDUCATE YOUR EMPLOYEES AND TENANTS: Employees and tenants are the key to successful business and multi-family recycling programs. Please make sure your employees know which materials can be recycled and where to place the recyclable materials for temporary storage and ultimate collection.
· Consider placing information in areas such as garbage collection locations.
· Consider providing information to new employees when hired and annually to all other employees.
· Consider including organic and recycling requirements in employee handbooks and company policies.
· Consider including organic and recycling requirements in tenant contracts and new resident welcome packets.
WHERE TO GO FOR MORE INFORMATION: Materials are available to assist in educating employees about proper procedures for recyclable collection and disposal. The following list includes websites that provide tools to help implement recycling programs at your workplace:
· Information about California’s Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling is available from the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) at https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Recycle/Commercial
· Check the City of Turlock’s website regularly for updates on City-wide organic and recycling services and requirements at www.cityofturlock.org.
· Information on recycling and disposal services can be found on Turlock Scavenger Company’s website at www.turlockscavengercompany.com
For questions or more information contact: The City of Turlock Municipal Services Department 156 S. Broadway, Ste. 270 Turlock, CA 95380 Phone: (209) 668-5590 Email: MunicipalServices@turlock.ca.us www.CityofTurlock.org. Brought to you by the City of Turlock Municipal Services Department.
