Food and Organic Waste Solutions

What is Organic Waste? 

Organic waste, or organics, means food waste, green waste, landscape and pruning waste, non hazardous wood waste, and food-soiled paper waste that is mixed in with food waste.  

What is the Law? 

In October 2014, Governor Brown signed Assembly Bill 1826 requiring businesses and other waste generators to recycle their organic waste on and after April 1, 2016.  The law phased in the requirements for which businesses are subject to it based on the amount of waste they generate per week with full implementation realized in 2019. Since the statewide disposal of organic material was not reduced by the 50% goal by January 1, 2020, the law contained a trigger that expanded the recycling requirement to businesses generating 2 cubic yards or more of solid waste (solid waste is the total of trash, recycling, and organics) per week as of September 2020.  Multifamily complexes of 5 or more units must arrange for recycling services for the same material with the exception of food waste and food-soiled paper. 

On March 22, 2021 the City of Brea mailed a letter to businesses newly subject to the law notifying them of the need to comply. If you didn’t receive a letter but believe your business generates 2 or more cubic yards of solid waste per week, please contact the City of Brea Recycling Coordinator for more information. Additionally you can fill out the self-certification included in the March 22, 2021 letter and return it to recyclebrea@cityofbrea.net.

How Do I Comply? 

The City of Brea adopted an Organics program on February 2, 2016 and Republic Services is the exclusive waste hauler, including organics waste, for the City. Most organic waste is recyclable through methods such as composting, mulching, and anaerobic digestion. 

Organics must be separated from trash and you can comply with this law by choosing a combination of any of the following organics recycling program options: 

  1. Subscribe to food scrap recycling through Republic Services by calling the City Recycling Coordinator at 714-990-7645.
  2. Recycle food scraps onsite through methods such as composting, or self-haul food scraps to a composting facility.
  3. Donate eligible food to a local food bank or Waste Not OC (855-700-9662) 
  4. Have your landscaper properly divert collected organic waste from the landfill by hauling green waste to permitted facilities. 

In all cases you must keep documentation and self report to the City at recyclebrea@cityofbrea.net.  

There are various compliance options available to a business and the City would like to help facilitate with as little impact to your business as possible. In many cases, recycling programs can save you money so now may be the time to determine the best recycling program for your operation and possibly reduce your trash bill. 

For any questions, or to find out more information about options, please contact the City Recycling Coordinator at 714-990-7645 or recyclebrea@cityofbrea.net.