Sacramento Municipal Code Art. III Recycling

A. The purpose of this article is to mandate the collection and recycling of recyclables generated from residential properties to protect the public safety, health, and welfare; ensure that the city continues to meet statemandated diversion requirements; reduce landfill dependency; conserve resources; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and advance the city's ongoing efforts to create a more sustainable city.

B. The city council finds and determines as follows:

1. The California Integrated Waste Management Act, commonly known as AB 939 (California Public Resources Code Sections 40000 et seq.), requires local jurisdictions to divert a minimum of fifty (50) percent of discarded materials away from disposal in landfills;

2. The recycling of paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, and other recyclables collected from city residents is a critical component of the city's ongoing measures to meet the mandatory diversion requirement imposed by state law, and without an effective recycling program the city would not be able to comply with this requirement; and

3. Providing for the collection and recycling of recyclables protects and promotes the public health, safety, and welfare by: (a) reducing the city's dependence on landfills and thereby reducing costs and environmental effects associated with landfill use; (b) conserving resources by recycling materials for reuse rather than disposing these materials in landfills; and (c) reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with transporting waste to landfills located in remote areas. (Ord. 2013-0009 § 3)

To meet the mandatory diversion requirements imposed by state law, and to protect and promote the health, safety, and welfare of city residents, all owners of residential property and residential mixed-use property in the city shall subscribe to the recycling collection service provided by the city in the manner and in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and Chapter 13.12. (Ord. 2013-0009 § 3)

Subject to applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations, and other applicable provisions of this chapter, the minimum level of recyclable collection service is specified in this section.

A. Residential Property and Residential Mixed-Use Property.

1. Each dwelling unit, excluding an accessory dwelling unit as defined in section 17.108.050, shall have one 32-gallon automatic lift container or equivalent, as determined by the solid waste manager.

2. The frequency of recycling collection service shall be determined by the solid waste manager, consistent with any service level requirements approved or adopted by the city council.

3. Service levels and the number of containers for a property may be adjusted by the solid waste manager to ensure proper collection and disposal of recyclables.

B. Commercial Property. The owners and tenants of commercial properties in the city shall comply with the requirements for recycling collection service as set forth in chapter 13.24. (Ord. 2023-0024 § 19; Ord. 2021-0023 § 4; Ord. 2021-0003 § 9; Ord. 2017-0008 § 3; Ord. 2013-0009 § 3)

Recyclables deposited in recycling containers are the property of the city when the recycling containers are placed curbside for collection service. (Ord. 2013-0009 § 3)

A. Every owner or tenant of residential property or residential mixed-use property in the city shall source-separate recyclables from other refuse generated on the property. The recyclables shall be deposited only in the recycling container provided by the city.

B. No person shall deposit single-use plastic bags, refuse, or materials other than recyclables in the recycling containers.

C. Any person violating this section is guilty of an infraction. (Ord. 2026-0003 § 5; Ord. 2023-0024 § 20; Ord.2013-0009 § 3)