Commercial Recycling

According to 2008 Statewide Waste Characterization data, the commercial sector generates nearly three fourths of the solid waste in California.  In June 2019, Beaumont City Council approved an ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 8.12) which requires mandatory recycling, including food waste, at all commercial businesses. 

The purpose of this Chapter is to establish requirements for the recycling of recyclable materials generated from commercial facilities. These requirements are intended to increase the diversion of recyclable materials from landfills, conserve capacity and extend the useful life of landfills utilized by the City, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and avoid the potential financial and other consequences to the City of failing to meet State law diversion requirements. 

The State of California also requires businesses and multifamily complexes (five or more units) that generate a specified amount of waste materials, to maintain recycling and organics recycling programs. Organic waste means food waste, green waste, landscape and pruning waste, nonhazardous wood waste, and food-soiled paper waste mixed in with food waste. These requirements are designed to move California to its statewide goal of a 75% recycling rate, including a reduction in the level of organic waste disposal by 50% from its current levels.

To help ensure your business complies with the City’s ordinance and State laws, the City’s franchise waste hauler, Waste Management, offers source separated recyclables, green waste and food waste collection services. For more information, please call (800) 423-9986.

City Requirements

  • Owners, landlords, tenants and occupants of commercial facilities, jointly or severally, shall recycle recyclable materials and organic materials, such as food waste, by depositing the same in recycling containers provided by the City’s designated recyclable materials waste hauler.
  • Occupants of commercial facilities shall designate, for the convenience and use of occupants’ employees and independent contractors, recycling and organics recycling collection and storage areas and shall place appropriate signs in and in the proximity of such areas.
  • Occupants of commercial facilities shall ensure that their employees and independent contractors are educated about recycling and organics recycling services available at the site. Information, including the types of recyclable and organic recyclable materials accepted, the location of recycling containers, and the employees’ responsibility to recycle shall be distributed periodically, and all new employees when hired, and independent contractors when retained, shall also be given such information and instruction. All employees and independent contractors shall also be given appropriate information and instructions concerning any change in recycling services to the commercial facility. 

State Requirements

The State of California has mandated recycling requirements for multi-family units of 5 or more, AND for commercial businesses who generate at least 4 cubic yards of solid waste per week. The City of Beaumont, Waste Management and CalRecycle are working in conjunction to provide as much information as possible as it becomes available. 

Available Services

Waste Management offers a variety of size options and service options for commercial and multi-family customers. Trash and recycling bins come in the following sizes:

  • 1.5 cubic yards
  • 2 cubic yards
  • 3 cubic yards
  • 4 cubic yards
  • 6 cubic yards

Commercial and multi-family customers are able to customize their bin sizes that will accurately reflect their service level needs. Please contact them directly at (800) 423-9986 to schedule a waste stream audit. 

Achieving Climate Goals through Recycling and Recovery

In September 2016, SB 1383 was signed by Gov. Brown, which requires organic waste in California landfills to be reduced by 50% from the 2014 levels by 2020 and 75% by 2025. It also requires that by 2025 at least 20% of edible food currently sent to landfills be recovered for human consumption. The law directs CalRecycle to adopt regulations designed to achieve these targets, reduce methane emissions and support the state’s climate change goals. 

To achieve these targets, it is essential for all organic waste generators (residences, businesses and local/state/federal agencies alike) to actively participate in organic material collection and food recovery programs. Jurisdictions are encouraged to adopt enforceable ordinances to ensure compliance. The potential for penalties to be assessed by CalRecycle can begin as early as 2022 and by local jurisdictions by 2024. Make sure to check back for updates!

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