CITY OF DAVIS ZERO WASTE INITIATIVES

Customer Obligation To Separate Divertible Materials

Davis Municipal Code 32.01.065 requires that trash, recycling and organic materials be separated and placed into the correct Recology Davis bins.  Recyclables and organics should never be placed in the trash and trash cannot be placed in the recycling or organics carts.

Davis Construction and Demolition Requirements (CalGreen)

The City of Davis has adopted Tier 1 of the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen), which encompasses a number of measures intended to conserve resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Through CalGreen, the City requires applicable projects to divert at least 70% of all construction and demolition (C&D) debris to recycling or reuse, requiring submission of a C&D diversion plan.  Download applicable forms and learn more about C&D diversion requirements here.

CALIFORNIA STATE LAWS

AB 341 – Mandatory Commercial Recycling

Mandatory Commercial Recycling was among the first measures identified and adopted in the AB 32 Scoping Plan by the California Air Resources Board pursuant to the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. The Mandatory Commercial Recycling Measure focuses on increased commercial waste diversion from landfills as a method to reduce GHG emissions. It is designed to achieve a reduction in GHG emissions of 5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalents in the state.

A business (including public entities) that generates four cubic yards, or more, of commercial solid waste per week, or is a multifamily residential dwelling of five units or more, shall arrange for recycling services. Businesses can take one, or any combination of, the following in order to reduce, reuse, recycle, compost or otherwise divert solid waste from disposal:

• • • Self-haul
    • Subscribe to a hauler
    • Arrange for the pickup of recyclable materials

In Yolo County, businesses and public entities are able to subscribe to our composting and recycling services or self-haul materials to the Yolo County Landfill. Property owners of a commercial business or multifamily residential dwelling may also require tenants to source separate their recyclable materials to aid in compliance.

AB 1826 – Mandatory Commercial Organics Collection

In October 2014, California passed Assembly Bill 1826 (AB 1826), mandating all businesses and commercial establishments, including multi-family units, to arrange for organics recycling and hauling. Organic waste is defined as food waste, green waste, landscaping and pruning waste, non-hazardous wood waste, and food soiled paper waste that is mixed with food waste.

• • April 1, 2016: Businesses and Multi-family complexes that generate 8 cubic yards of organic waste per week shall arrange for organic waste recycling services. (First Threshold)
  • January 1, 2017: Businesses and Multi-family complexes that generate 4 cubic yards of organic waste per week shall arrange for organic waste recycling services. (Second Threshold)
  • January 1, 2019: Businesses and Multi-family complexes that generate 4 cubic yards of solid waste “trash” per week shall arrange for organic waste recycling services. (Third Threshold)
  • Fall 2020: CalRecycle has determined that the statewide disposal of organic waste in 2020 hasn’t been reduced by 50% (when compared to 2014). Requirements expand to Businesses and Multi-family complexes that generate 2 cubic yards of solid waste per week.

A business that meets the waste generation threshold either participate in an organic waste recycling service (and separate organics from other materials), or recycle its organic waste on site, or self-haul its organic waste off site for composting. More information on the organic recycling requirements can be viewed here.

AB 827 Customer Access to Recycling

Effective July 1, 2020 for businesses that are covered under AB 341 and AB 1826:
Businesses that sell products meant for immediate consumption must provide clearly labeled organics and recycling containers next to each trash bin for customers to use. Full-service restaurants do not have to provide properly labeled containers for patrons, but must provide properly labeled bins next to trash containers for employees to separate recyclables and organics.

• Downloadable signage can be found on our Sorting Guides and Signage page.

SB 1383 – Short Lived Climate Pollutants

SB 1383 builds upon California’s leading commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution statewide. SB 1383 establishes statewide targets to reduce the amount of organic waste disposed of in landfills (50% reduction by 2020 and 75% by 2025). It also sets a goal to rescue at least 20% of currently disposed edible food by 2025 and redirect that food to people in need. Starting January 1^st, 2022 regulations will take effect and State enforcement begins. Review CalRecycle resources and education about Senate Bill 1383 here. For more information about SB 1383 implementation in the City of Davis click here. For