AB341 - Mandatory Commercial Recycling

California’s Assembly Bill 341 (AB 341) requires all commercial businesses and multi-family properties to recycle. The legislation became effective July 1, 2012.

Required to Recycle

Assembly Bill 341 (AB 341) states that commercial businesses that have 4 or more cubic yards of solid waste weekly, and multi-family complexes with 5 or more units are required to subscribe to recycling services. Recycling under AB 341 includes paper, paper products, cardboard, Styrofoam, glass, metal, and specific plastics. For more information on the requirements of AB 341 and on mandatory commercial recycling please visit CalRecycle's Recycling website.

Waivers - Apply

Physical Space Waiver- This waiver is for businesses demonstrating that the premises lack adequate space for a recycling container or bin. This should be a temporary implementation and the space needs to be reevaluated every 5 years. Compliance ideas include bin sharing, different sized bins, or expanded trash enclosures for multiple commercial businesses.

Self-Hauling Waiver- This waiver can be used if a company self-hauls the recyclable waste in order to compost or divert from landfills to elsewhere. Those who receive this waiver must keep records of the quantity of the recyclables, as well as documentation proving it does not end up in a landfill.

Existing Alternative Service Waiver- This waiver can be used if a business or multi-family complex contracts a person or organization that provides recycling collection. In order to use this waiver, there must be documents recording the material collected, a contracting statement, and proof that the material collected is not landfilled.