Recycle right... or it may cost you
The City has established a contamination penalty in an effort to remind Santa Ana customers to Recycle Right, keeping contamination out of all container types. If contamination is found, a courtesy pickup notice will be left on your cart. On the fourth and subsequent occasions of reported contamination, fees may be assessed.
Residential curbside recycling program
The City has a three-cart system where residents separate their materials into a 1) recyclables cart, 2) organics cart, and 3) trash cart. Other programs implemented through our hauler, Republic Services, include four free bulky item pickups per year, where large items are picked up and recycled, and a Christmas tree recycling program.
Mandatory commercial and multifamily recycling
Assembly Bill (AB) 341, effective July 1, 2012, requires all businesses generating four cubic yards or more of waste on a weekly basis, and multifamily properties with five or more units to recycle. In many cases, recycling programs can save you money. If you are a business or multifamily complex in the City that generates 4-cubic yards or more of trash per week, you are required to fill out an AB 341 Recycling Reporting Form to verify your compliance status.
Mandatory organics recycling
Assembly Bill (AB) 1826, effective April 1, 2016, requires businesses to recycle organics. The City and Republic Services are working together to offer comprehensive recycling programs for your organization. For more information, follow this link.
If you are a business or multifamily complex in the City that generates 4-cubic yards or more of trash per week, you are required to fill out an AB 1826 Organics Recycling Reporting Form to verify your compliance status for AB 1826. *Note: Multifamily dwellings and apartments are not required to have a food waste recycling program, but are required to recycle yard trimmings and landscaping waste.
Mandatory commercial organic waste and recycling containers
Assembly Bill (AB) 827, effective April 1, 2020, requires businesses to provide compost and recycling containers next to their trash containers to collect recyclable material generated from products purchased on the premises. All containers must be visible, easily accessible, and clearly marked. If you are a commercial business who generates four cubic yards or more of solid waste per week, and who require customers to discard their waste independently, you are required to comply. For signage resources, follow this link.
California’s short-lived climate pollutant reduction strategy
Senate Bill (SB) 1383, effective January 1, 2022, requires all residents and businesses to recycle organic material. Organic material is defined as food waste, green waste, landscape and pruning waste, wood and lumber, paper products (printing paper, cardboard, all fiber etc.), manure, biosolids, digestate, and sludge. All residential homes, multifamily properties (apartments, townhomes, homeowner association, etc.), commercial businesses (public and private), commercial food generators, schools, and government entities must comply.
SB 1383 sets statewide methane reduction targets. The targets require a reduction of organic waste sent to landfills by 75% and 20% of edible food recovered by 2025. This bill expands upon the goals of Assembly Bill 341: Mandatory Commercial Recycling and Assembly Bill 1826: Mandatory Commercial Organics. However, SB 1383 is unique in that it requires all residents and businesses to recycle organic materials. SB 1383 also requires certain businesses to donate excess edible food to food recovery organizations to assist people in need.
Construction and demolition recycling
The California Green Building Standards Code requires 65% diversion of most construction and demolition waste. In order to achieve this diversion, the City has one authorized hauler, Republic Services (657) 467-6220 which provides recycling services for construction and demolition projects for residents and businesses. See the complete flyer by following this link: C & D Recycling Requirement.
Certified recycling centers
Several Certified Recycling Centers are located in the city where residents can take their bottles and cans to have them recycled, and receive cash back for doing so. Find a center near you.
Used motor oil and oil filter program
The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, also known as CalRecycle, provides the City with grant funding to bring used motor oil and filter recycling to residents. These items are picked up curbside by Republic Services if you live in a single-family home or duplex. Apartment and condominium residents can take their used motor oil to one of many certified recycling centers in the city that will accept used motor oil for recycling. Find a location near you.
All residents can take their used motor oil and filters to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection centers at the County landfills for FREE disposal. Call (714) 834-6752 to find a location near you, or to learn more. You can also log on to http://oclandfills.com/hazardous/.
Universal waste program
If you live in a single-family home or duplex, Republic Services provides FREE door-to-door collection of household batteries, fluorescent tubes and bulbs, electronic devices (such as TVs, computers, and cell phones), and mercury-containing items (such as old thermometers and thermostats). These items are collected by appointment only by Republic Services. Call (657) 467-6220 to schedule an appointment.
All residents may take their universal waste to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection centers at the County landfills for FREE disposal. Call (714) 834-6752 to find a location near you, or to learn more. Visit http://oclandfills.com/hazardous/.
City employee battery recycling
Employees recycle batteries from home and work to reduce the number of batteries going into landfills.
Household hazardous waste
The County of Orange offers FREE disposal for household hazardous waste materials at locations throughout the County. Call (714) 834-6752 to find a location near you, or to learn more. Visit oclandfills.com/hazardous.
Sharps/needles recycling
The City sponsors a sharps recycling program. Those who require regular medical injections will have access to proper and safe disposal of their needles. Contact Republic Services to receive free sharps recycling containers at (657) 467-6220
Tire recycling
CalRecycle is working to promote tire recycling and the use of tire-derived products. It is CalRecycle’s goal to reduce the amount of tires that occupy California’s landfills by putting unwanted tires to use through its Green Roads program. Green Roads promotes the use of shredded or ground scrap tires in paving and construction projects, keeping old tires out of landfills and away from fields and alleyways. These recycled tires can be used as inexpensive backfill behind retaining walls, or as an asphalt additive, with many benefits such as durability and noise reduction. Using recycled tires to build greener roads is not only good for the environment, it’s good for the bottom line. Check out CalRecycle’s website at calrecycle.ca.gov/Tires/GreenRoads for information about the Green Roads campaign, recycling options and tire-derived products.
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Three great ways to handle waste: reduce, reuse, recycle:
- Reduce: Cut back on the amount of waste you make by purchasing in bulk, not in single-use packaging. Pack your lunch in a lunchbox and reusable containers, instead of disposable bags.
- Reuse: Find a new way to use resources, clothing, household items, furniture, etc. Donate reusable items to local non-profits that give new life to these items.
- Recycle: Participate in the City’s recycling programs. Recycling programs save resources.
Small changes can lead to significant resource savings over time, and this is good for the environment!
The City buys recycled
The Santa Ana City Council adopted a procurement policy that emphasizes the purchase of recycled goods. The adoption of this policy was important in closing the recycling loop—reduce-reuse-recycle.
We’re involved
The City has a representative on the County of Orange Recycling Coordinators group. This group assist cities in implementing their recycling programs and provides coordination with the Orange County Board of Supervisors.
More information
Recycling is easy. Check out the links below for tips and tricks on how to do your part in saving the planet.