Mandatory Commercial Recycling
According to 2018 Statewide Waste Characterization data, the commercial sector accounted for approximately 42% of California's municipal solid waste stream. A significant percentage of commercial waste disposed in landfills is clean enough to be recycled. Recyclable material types can include, but are not limited to: paper, plastics, glass, metals, cardboard, green waste, food waste, and construction and demolition materials.
With the passage of AB 341 Mandatory Commercial Recycling, AB 1826 Mandatory Organics Recycling, and SB 1383 Short-lived Climate Pollutants, California is one of the first states in the nation to enact a statewide program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by diverting commercial solid waste and organics from landfills.
Recycling is an excellent way for all businesses to contribute to a greener world, and the Riverside County Department of Waste Resources offers businesses guidance and support to comply with state regulations!
County Ordinance 745
County Ordinance 745 requires all commercial businesses and multifamily residential dwellings within the unincorporated county to subscribe to a three bin collection service, which consists of trash, recycling, and organics recycling. This ordinance requirement is supported by Assembly Bill 341 (passed in 2012) requiring recycling services and Assembly Bill 1826 (passed in 2016) requiring organics recycling. There are potential waivers for self-hauling, de minimis waste, or lack of space for bins. If you feel you qualify, please contact Riverside County Department of Environmental Health Solid Waste Program at (951) 955-8980 or [email protected]. Your waste hauler may also provide a free waste assessment to assist you in making any necessary service changes to comply with the law.
Presentations for unincorporated county accounts are provided below.
Five R’s of Responsible Waste Management - REDUCE, REPAIR, REUSE, RECYCLE, AND ROT
The Five R’s (Reduce, Repair, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot) are an effective way to conserve resources and minimize the amount of waste that is generated. By committing to these five actions when purchasing, using, and disposing of materials, you'll be doing your part in keeping Riverside County clean and beautiful!
The prefered waste management practice is to reduce waste at the source, i.e. to prevent waste from being generated.
Minimizing waste in the workplace can have a positive impact on both the environment and a company's finances. Consider these waste reduction tips!
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When printing a document, consider whether you really need the whole document. Instead of printing multiple pages, you may only need one or two.
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If you do need to make printed copies, try to fit either two or four pages on one paper if possible. Then simply cut the stack in half or into quarters on a paper cutter.
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When photocopying, only make the necessary number and copy on both sides whenever possible.
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Use fewer sticky notes by keeping an Outlook or on-line calendar.
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When proofreading a document, try to do it on your computer screen instead of printing a hard copy to mark up. It will save you time, ink/toner, and paper.
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Check to make sure that you and your business only receives copies of newsletters, newspapers, and magazines that are really necessary. Share these periodicals with others. Sign-up for electronic newsletters when possible.
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Instead of copying and sending materials to employees, send them an e-mail or post your message on a common site.
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Purchase items in refillable containers and buy in bulk whenever possible.
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Look for merchandise with little or no packaging when making purchases.
Repairing, upgrading, or reusing old items instead of throwing them away is a less wasteful and cheaper option than purchasing new items. Examples of items that can be repaired include office furniture and equipment, lighting fixtures, electronics, and automotive parts.
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Consider reupholstering, refinishing, or donating old furniture.
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Have equipment repaired instead of buying new.
Reusing is simply about extending the life of an item - using something more than once rather than discarding it after a single use. A synonym for reusing is upcycling! Upcycling reuses discarded materials or items to create something with a higher value.
- Use the blank backs of copies for scratch paper.
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Reuse envelopes, folders and boxes when possible.
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Bring your own plate, silverware and coffee mug to work instead of using disposable ones. With a little soap and water, you’ll be good to go for next time!
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When buying a new product, take into consideration its potential life span. Will it last a long time, and is it able to be repaired if broken?
Recycling means converting waste into usable materials.
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The following are a few items commonly found around the office that can be recycled.
- Copy/printer paper
- Manila/file folders
- Soda/water bottles and cans
- Phone books
- Notepads (with wire removed)
- Magazines and newspapers
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Cardboard
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Take the next step and begin purchasing at least 30% post-consumer recycled content paper for your copying needs.
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At work, ask your suppliers if they will back haul empty containers, pallets, and cardboard to be reused.
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For a complete list of recyclable materials, please contact your refuse hauler. If your refuse hauler does not provide recycling for a particular material, please contact the Riverside County Department of Waste Resources at 951-486-3200, check your local yellow pages for a recycler, or check out the Waste Guide for recycling options for many different waste streams. Prepare your recyclables according to the directions given by your recycling provider. This will make it easier and less costly for them to continue providing these services.
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Use the information in our Waste Guide to recycle as much as you can!
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For local recyclers in your area, go to the Earth 911 website or call 1-800-CLEAN-UP
Rot, or composting, is all about reducing the amount of organic waste sent to landfills and decreasing heat trapping gases, such as Methane.
- Set up a compost pile to compost lawn and landscaping trimmings.
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See the Business Recycling - Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling page for additional information on recycling and donating organic material.