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AB 827: Commercial Organics and Recycling Bins

Signed into law by Governor Newsom in 2019, AB 827 requires that commercial food establishments provide bins to customers for collecting organics and recycling alongside trash. Bins must be available to customers on or by July 1, 2020. This policy works together with state laws AB 341 Mandatory Commercial Recycling and AB 1826 Mandatory Commercial Organics to maximize landfill diversion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Read the legislative text

Who's Affected?

All commercial food service establishments that provide food for purchase and immediate consumption on site must comply with AB 827.

"Full-service restaurants" are exempt as long as they provide organics and recycling bins in the back of house for their employees. Full-service restaurants are defined as those where all the following are true:

  • Customers are escorted or assigned to an assigned eating area.
  • Customers' food and beverage orders are taken after being seated
  • The food and beverage orders as well as any other requested items are delivered directly to the customers.
  • The check is delivered directly to the customer at the assigned eating area.

How to get in compliance

On or before July 1, 2020, commercial food establishments must provide customers with bins for collecting organics and recycling directly next to all trash bins. All three bins must be easily accessible and visible, clearly marked with signage on what can or cannot be placed into each bin, and the bins must be properly serviced. That means organics must be composted or otherwise recovered, and recyclables must be recycled.

Free signs, stickers, and other educational resources are available from your hauling company. More free resources, including translated signs and stickers, are also available for download at CalRecycle's website.

Related Legislation

SB 1383: Short-lived Climate Pollutants

Disposable food service ware and polystyrene foam ban ordinance

AB 1826: Mandatory Commercial Organics