Business

California requires businesses to recycle – not only general recycling (cans, bottles, paper) but also organic waste (also referred to as organics throughout this resource) such as food scraps, landscaping waste and nonhazardous wood waste.  

Commercial Recycling (MCR) - AB341:

In an effort to reduce the amount of waste in landfills, Assembly Bill 341 requires the mandatory implementation of a recycling plan by businesses, public entities and multi-family housing complexes in California.  

• Who must arrange for Recycling Services: all businesses that generate four (4) or more cubic yards of solid waste per week (solid waste includes trash, recycling and organic waste).
• Ways to comply (using one or any combination of the following) *:
  • Subscribe to recycling service through Republic Services (call 714-238-2444)
  • Businesses may donate, sell and/or make other arrangements for pick-up of the recyclable material. This includes self-hauling the materials to recycling facilities.
    • *A property owner of a commercial business or multi-family residential dwelling may require tenants to source separate their recyclable material to aid in compliance. 
• To learn more about waste and recycling and the current legislation visit the State’s website.

Commercial Organics Recycling (MORe) - AB1826:

State law AB 1826 requires "Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling", meaning that California businesses must now recycle their landscape cuttings and food waste depending on the amount of waste they generate per week. Organic wastes are recyclable through composting, mulching, and anaerobic digestion which can produce renewable energy and fuel.  In addition to recycling food scraps, donating surplus edible food to local food banks can be part of your AB1826 compliance.

• What is Organic Waste: food waste, green wastes such as landscape and pruning waste, and non-hazardous wood waste. 
• Who must arrange for Recycling Services: all businesses that generate two (2) or more cubic yards of solid waste per week (solid waste includes trash, recycling and organic waste). 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. 
• Ways to comply (using one or any combination of the following)*:
  • Subscribe to a food waste recycling service through Republic Services. To subscribe please email recyclebrea@cityofbrea.net or call 714-990-7645.
  • Participate in edible food recovery by donating to a Food Pantry/Bank. 
  • Have landscaper take landscaping and pruning waste from your property to a permitted composting facility.
  • Self-haul organic waste to a permitted composting facility.  
  • Conduct onsite processing or composting.
    • *Once you have selected your method(s) of compliance, please fill out the Self-Certification Form and return it via mail or email to recyclebrea@cityofbrea.net. Remember, your business or multi-family unit is responsible for complying with AB 1826. For more information, please contact the City of Brea at recyclebrea@cityofbrea.net or call 714-990-7645. 

Mandatory Organics Recycling – SB 1383:

SB1383 expands upon AB1826 and now requires all businesses and residences to divert organic waste from landfills. Certain commercial edible food generators must also make efforts to donate as much edible food as possible to edible food recovery organizations (see Edible Food Recovery below for more details). More information on SB 1383 can also be found on the CalRecycle webpage at California’s Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy or Republic Services webpage.

• How businesses can comply: subscribe to a food waste recycling service through Republic Services by emailing recyclebrea@cityofbrea.net or calling 714-990-7645. There are many container sizes available to fit the needs of your business. The City, and/or Republic Services, can assist with evaluating your waste and recycling needs and help you ‘right size’ your containers. 
• Edible Food Recovery:  Aside from organic waste recycling, SB 1383 also requires mandated businesses to recover the maximum amount of edible food to be donated to edible food recovery organizations (EFRO’s). Businesses that generate donatable edible food are called ‘edible food generators’ and are broken into two tiers depending on the type of business. Detailed information can be found at the CalRecycle website.
• Requirements for Commercial Edible Food Generators can be found by clicking here. 
  The following is a list of Edible Food Recovery Organization's that are located within Brea as well as a few regional organizations:

• Food Recovery Org.	Address/Location	Collection Service Area	Contact Information	Foods Accepted
  Christ Lutheran Church	820 W. Imperial Hwy, Brea	Brea	JoAnne Sloan                (714) 993-4129 Laura Harton lharton@christbrea.com  (714) 529-2984	Only accepts food from Second Harvest Food Bank
  Jill's Pantry	Small food pantries at local elementary schools	Brea	Libby Blood, contact@jillspantry.com (714) 471-6446	Packaged non-perishables
  Brea Senior Center	500 Sievers Ave, Brea	Brea	Rebecca Matta rebeccam@cityofbrea.net (714) 990-7753	Fruits/veggies, meat, eggs/dairy/dairy alternatives, cooked baked/prepared perishables, packaged non-perishables