Organics Recycling

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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.

California Law Regarding Organic Waste

The State of California, in an effort to preserve vital resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and maintain a healthy and sustainable environment, has implemented AB 1826 and SB 1383, requiring all businesses and households to recycle the following organic waste:

Food Waste
Green Waste
Non-hazardous, non-treated wood waste
Food-soiled paper and cardboard

The summary of Mandatory Recycling for Businesses flyer can be viewed here.
The summary of Residential Recycling changes can be viewed here.

Newport Beach Municipal Code

Newport Beach residents and businesses cherish the quality of our environment. In an effort to preserve our City's environment, the City Council has updated the Municipal Code to align with California laws requiring businesses and residents to divert food waste, yard waste and other recyclables from landfills. Lack of compliance with organic recycling laws may trigger escalating fines.

Preventing Food Waste

Compliance for Businesses & Multi-Family Complexes

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

Source-separate organic waste from all other waste. Contact your waste hauler to arrange for organic waste recycling services. For information on how to contact your hauler, click here.
Sign up for an organic waste recycling service that includes mixed-waste processing that specifically recycles organic waste.
Sell or donate the generated organic waste to an accredited facility, e.g. county permitted food pantries that will redistribute food to those in need, such as Waste Not OC Coalition.
Recycle organic waste onsite or self-haul organic waste for recycling. Note, the City may require you to provide proof that you are self-hauling or a permit to self-haul.

All waste collectors serving Newport Beach are familiar with the City and State recycling requirements and are ready to help you gain compliance. If you need additional assistance with implementing organics recycling at your business or are interested in employee training for compliance, please contact the Public Works Department, Municipal Operations Division at 949-644-3055.

Compliance for Individual Households

Please visit our Expanded Residential Recycling page to learn how more about the residential organics recycling program and its rollout in Newport Beach.

Learn More

Did you know

Compost and other products from recycled organic wastes are valuable to farmers, schools, community gardeners and many others in the agriculture and landscape industry. These products return nutrients to the soil, conserve water, reduces runoff and helps plants grow. By recycling food and landscape waste, businesses and residents are contributing to a greener, healthier California.

Compostable Bags

Compostable bags with the "Biodegradable Products Institute" (BPI) logo, newspaper or brown paper bags may be used to line the food scrap pail and may go into the residential recycling organics cart with the food scraps. Compostable bags with the BPI logo are available from local retailers and online. Please do not use other types of plastic bags that do not contain the BPI compostable logo. Plastic bags, such as grocery bags, should not be used to line the food scrap pail and are not allowed in the organics cart.

Additional Resources

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

To reduce unnecessary food waste and help address food insecurity, SB 1383 requires that by 2025, the state of California will recover and redistribute 20% of edible food that would have otherwise be sent to landfills.

Organics Recycling - Food Recovery

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