Assembly Bill 341
The new California Commercial Recycling Law requires businesses statewide to recycle their waste. Assembly Bill 341, the new mandatory recycling law, went into effect on July 1st, 2012.
The new commercial recycling law aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by diverting commercial solid waste from landfills to recycling. California businesses generate the majority of solid waste in the state.
Under the new state law, all businesses and apartments must implement recycling by either reusing waste, separating recyclables or composting waste materials and they must either self-haul, subscribe to a hauler, arrange for the pickup of recyclable materials, or subscribe to a recycling service that separates recyclables offsite.
We can help you with AB-341 Compliance. Please call (323) 721-5441
Existing state law had required 50 percent diversion of material from the waste flow, out of the landfills and into recycling or reuse. The new law changes things by mandating a statewide goal of 75 percent diversion over the next eight years. CalRecycle is charged with the responsibility for ensuring that at least 75 percent of solid waste generated in California be source-reduced, recycled or composted by the year 2020.
Additionally, city governments across California are obligated to begin implementing education, outreach and monitoring of a mandatory commercial recycling program. The new California Commercial Recycling Law does not yet impose specific fines nor penalties, but the state legislation gives local jurisdictions the authority to phase-in their own rules of enforcement.
Cities must file yearly reports on recycling compliance with the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) which will supervise the statewide regulation.
Commercial Entities Which Must Be in Compliance with AB 341
1. Commercial or public entities generating at least 4 cubic yards of commercial solid waste per week:
- Firms
- Partnerships
- Proprietorships
- Joint-stock companies
- Corporations
- Associations (for-profit or non-profit)
- Strip mall (property complexes containing two or more commercial entities)
- Industrial facilities
- Schools
- School districts
- University of California
- California State University
- Community colleges
- Special districts
2. Any multi-family residential dwelling of five units or more regardless of the amount of commercial solid waste generated.
Federal, state, local, regional agencies and facilities
