Apartments and Condos

Recycling and composting organics is the law

Multifamily dwelling properties are required to subscribe to and participate in recycling and organics recycling programs. When organic material (food scraps, food-soiled paper and yard waste) ends up in the landfill, it decomposes and emits harmful greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. 

To reduce these emissions, state law Senate Bill (SB) 1383 requires all California residents to separate food scraps, food-soiled paper and yard waste and place them into an organics recycling dumpster instead of a trash dumpster to divert organic waste from landfills. The organic material is turned into a nutrient-rich compost!

How to do your part:

  • Prevent food waste where possible. For tips, visit Calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/foodwaste.
  • Separate your food scraps, food-soiled paper and yard waste. Use the green organics cart or organics dumpster available to you for disposal.
  • Know what goes where! SB 1383 requires local jurisdictions to monitor contamination and proper sorting by performing audits.

Property managers or owners are required to:

  • Annually educate tenants on the legal requirement to separate organics for composting and how to properly sort materials (organics, recycling and landfill). Residents can participate by preventing/reducing food waste, composting at home, and using the green organics cart.
  • Provide information about proper waste sorting to new tenants within 14 days of occupation of the premises.

By actively reducing waste, recycling, and composting each week and opting for a smaller bins, you can divert trash from landfills and actually lower your solid waste bills each month!

For questions regarding service rates, billing, account information, missed pick-ups, recyclable items, and bulky item pickup, contact Republic Services at, 510-262-7100 or visit, https://www.republicservices.com/municipality/richmond-ca.

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