In October 2014, Governor Brown signed a law that required many businesses to start recycling their organic waste on April 1, 2016. Organic waste means food waste, green waste, landscape and pruning waste, nonhazardous wood waste, and food-soiled paper waste that is mixed in with food waste. If you are a Costco shopper and have been confused by the complicated trash cans they use, now you know why.

The law also had a direct impact on attached condominium associations. Beginning January 1, 2016, local jurisdictions were required to implement an organic waste recycling program to divert organic waste generated by multi-family residential dwellings that consist of five or more units. However, multi-family dwellings are not required to have a food waste diversion program. The non-food organic waste can be turned into compost or mulch and the recycling program will divert millions of tons of reusable waste from the landfills. In some cases, the waste can be converted directly into a fuel source.

The law provides for a phased implementation. In early 2016 the goal was for local jurisdictions to make businesses and multi-family dwellings aware of the new law and assist in getting recycling programs implemented.  Thereafter, whether a particular business or multi-family dwelling is required to recycle its organic waste will depend on the amount of organic waste being generated. As time goes on, more multi-family dwellings will need to start recycling because, over time, the law will require smaller producers to implement a recycling program, even though the quantity of organic waste production might not require a recycling program now.

Condominium associations that do not already have an organic waste recycling program in place should contact their waste collection company for information on how the new organic waste recycling laws might impact operations and to determine if the association is currently in compliance.