Policies & Procedures for RRRS

Statewide:

• AB 939 - requires local jurisdictions to meet 50% waste diversion mandate
• AB 341 - requires commercial businesses to implement recycling
• AB2176 - (AB 2176, Montanez, Chapter 879, Statutes of 2004), the large venues and large events recycling law, requires large venue facilities and large events (as defined by Public Resources Code 42648 (b) and (c)) in each city and county to plan for solid waste reduction and upon request, report information regarding their waste reduction efforts to their local jurisdiction.
• AB 2176 Definitions – Definitions for AB 2176 from CalRecycle

Mandatory Garbage Exemption

It is the law to have garbage disposal service! Having proper service helps from contamination of hazardous, disease causing materials from entering our environment and waterways. There is ONLY 3 criteria in which a residential or commercial property would qualify for an exemption:

Monterey County Mandatory Garbage Ordinance

10.41.030 Mandatory Collection

• • Collection Required.Permittees shall collect all solid waste generated from all stores, shops, offices, restaurants, hospitals and commercial or industrial establishments and all residential properties designated or specified in this chapter or by resolution of the Board establishing mandatory residential collection services, regardless of whether or not these services were requested by the affected property owner, tenant or person having possession or control of the real property. All solid waste shall be collected from every occupied residence, apartment, or business as designated pursuant to this Subsection at least once a week.
  • Payment.Residents with mandatory areas designated pursuant to Subsection A and owners of commercial and industrial businesses or the property owners of the property within the designated residential areas or the property on which such businesses are located shall pay the rates established by the Board.
  • Exemptions and Criteria. Mandatory solid waste collection does not apply to those places or premises in mandatory collection areas which meet one of the criteria specified in this Subsection if such exemption is applied for annually by the owner or franchisee awarded the area and granted by the Director of Health or his or her designee. The Director of Health or his or her designee shall make periodic inspections of such premises and if it is found that solid waste is present or that the property no longer qualifies for an exemption, the regular solid waste collection shall be resumed promptly at the expense of the property owner.

Criteria

• The property is undeveloped or vacant
• All solid waste generated on the premises is recycled or composted
• Residential properties with long, narrow, or steep driveways in instances where the franchisee in the option of the Director of Health, is unable to properly and safely use franchisee's equipment and granting such an exemption does not create a nuisance. (Ord. 4190,2003;Ord. 2661, 1980)

English Application

Spanish Application

Please click on the images to the right to obtain a Mandatory Garbage Exemption Application. You may submit the application via mail:

Monterey County Recycling
Services 1270 Natividad Rd.
Salinas, CA 93906

You may also fill out the application online: English |En Español

Mandatory Organics Recycling - AB1826

AB1826

Did you know that starting April 1, 2016 business that generate 8 cubic yards of organic waste needed to sign up for organic waste recycling service?

AND

Did you know starting January 1, 2017 the total amount generated reduced to 4 cubic yards?

AND

Did you know starting January 1, 2019 businesses that generate 4 cubic yards or more of commercial solid waste per week must arrange for organic waste recycling services? For more information, visit our page all about Organics Recycling.

BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag!)

For information regarding the BYOB program, please see the following page which provided information and guidance regarding these new changes.

Click on the following picture for more information:

Polystyrene Ordinance

Chapter 10.42 of the Monterey County Code of Ordinances regulates and limits the use of polystyrene foam food packaging by retail food providers in the unincorporated area of Monterey County. The ordinance protects the environment, reduces solid waste, and decreases litter throughout the unincorporated County by reducing the use of polystyrene foam food packaging.

10.42.040 REGULATIONS

• Food Providers shall not dispense Prepared Food in any Disposable Food Service Ware that contains Polystyrene Foam or otherwise sell, hand out, give away, or distribute or other make available for public or customer use any Disposable Food Service Ware that contains Polystyrene Foam, unless exempted by this Chapter.
• To allow Food Service Providers an opportunity to use remaining stocks of Food Packaging, Food Providers shall have three hundred and sixty-five (365) days from the Effective Date to comply with the regulations of this Chapter. During the 365-day period, is shall be the policy of the County to encourage voluntary adherence to the requirements of this Chapter. After the three hundred and sixty-five (365) days

 Exemptions

• Packaging for raw uncooked meat, poultry, fish, or eggs (unless provided for consumption without further food preparation)
• Prepared foods made or packaged outside the unincorporated county, but sold in the unincorporated areas
• Polystyrene foam coolers and ice chests
• Emergency relief efforts