Multifamily Properties*

​*Properties with residential units that receive garbage, recycling, and/or organics collection services from a commercial solid waste franchised hauler. ​​

This page features information and resources on how to comply with organics, recycling, and garbage requirements.  

Organics, Recycling, Garbage

Franchised Haulers provide garbage, recycling, and organics collection service to multifamily properties in the unincorporated areas of Sacramento County. All multifamily properties are required to subscribe to weekly garbage service pursuant to Sacramento County Code 6.20.115​. To change or terminate your service with a commercial hauler, go to the Franchised Hauler page​. ​

It's the law: Title 14, § ​17331​ of the California Code of Regulations requires that refuse be removed from all properties every 7 days. Refuse is defined as garbage and rubbish.

How to Comply: All multifamily properties are required by law to subscribe to weekly garbage service. 

Option 1

​Sign up for weekly garbage service with a waste hauler - Enter into a weekly garbage collection service agreement with a Franchised Waste Hauler; or,

Option 2

Share garbage service with an adjacent commercial property - Sacramento County Department of Waste Management and Recycling (DWMR) allows commercial properties that are adjacent to each other to share garbage service as long as both parties are in agreement. In order to choose this option you will need to have a signed agreement between both parties. You will also need to submit a Commercial Property Shared Garbage Service Request form found here: Commercial Property Shared Garbage Service Request. ​


All multifamily properties, regardless of the number of units – apartments, condos, duplex, triplex, quadplex, and mobile home parks -- must meet state mandates to divert organics --food scraps, food-soiled paper, and green waste -- from landfill disposal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Multifamily properties must separate organics from the garbage and subscribe to organics collection services. 

How to Comply: Subscription to organics collection service is mandatory. Multifamily properties must select one or more options to comply with the law:

Option 1

Commercial Solid Waste Franchised Hauler - Contract for organics collection with a Commercial Solid Waste Franchised Hauler to collect and haul your property's organic material. 

Option 2

Alternative Organic Service - Complete and submit the Alternative Service Verification portion in the Organic Material Recycling Compliance Form if your multifamily property utilizes one or more alternative organics collection services:

    • Landscaper: The multifamily property contracts with a landscaper, who collects green waste/landscape trimmings and hauls the material off-site to a facility that recycles the green waste.  Contracts must be retained on-site for verification during future inspections. Contracting with a landscaper to divert your green waste material does not meet the full compliance requirements of the organics collection law. Multifamily properties also need to subscribe to food waste and food-soiled paper collection services from a Commercial Solid Waste Franchised Hauler (see option 1).
    • Third-Party Recycler: The multifamily property contracts with an organics hauler who is not Atlas Disposal, California Waste Recovery Systems, Republic Services, or Waste Management of Sacramento, to collect and recycle organics. All contracts must be retained on-site between the multifamily property and each organics hauler for verification during future inspections.
    • Self-Haul: The multifamily property collects and hauls its green waste/landscape trimmings off-site to a facility that recycles the green waste. Receipts of self-haul activity must be retained on-site for verification during future inspections. Self-hauling your green waste material does not meet the full compliance requirements of the organics collection law. Multifamily properties also need to subscribe to food waste and food-soiled paper collection services from a Commercial Solid Waste Franchised Hauler (see option 1).
    • Shared Container: The multifamily property places its organics into another adjacent business or multifamily organics collection container. Evidence that all parties agree to sharing the container and a copy of the organic collection service contract must be retained on-site for verification during future inspections. 

Option 3

Physical Space Waiver (not commonly used): If the multifamily property does not have adequate space for an organics collection container, the Physical Space Waiver portion on the Organic Material Recycling Compliance Form must be completed. A Physical Space Waiver should not be submitted if there is adequate space for a container outside the garbage enclosure. 
Note: Supporting documents are required as evidence that the multifamily property does not have space for the smallest container available, a 64-gallon cart which is approximately 25 inches wide x 32 inches deep x 42 inches high.

​ 



Webinar- Multifamily Organics Collection 2022

The County of Sacramento and the City of Sacramento hosted a webinar covering topics including the new organics collection law, compliance options, and property management responsibilities.

Webinar PowerPoint

Webinar Presentation Recording  (passcode: 0KP2y9P^)

For more information visit the FAQs or contact commercialwaste@saccounty.gov​.

​All multifamily properties, regardless of the number of units -- apartments, condos, duplex, triplex, quadplex, and mobile home parks -- must meet state mandates to divert recyclables --​ glass, metal, paper, cardboard, and plastics -- from landfill disposal. Multifamily properties must separate recyclables from the garbage and subscribe to recycling collection services. 

How to Comply: Subscription to recycling collection service is mandatory.  Multifamily properties must select one or more options to comply with the law:

Option 1

Commercial Solid Waste Franchised Hauler: Contract for recycling collection service with a Franchised Hauler to collect and haul your property's recyclables.

Option 2

Alternative Recycling Service: Complete and submit the Alternative Service Verification section in the Recycling Co​mpliance Form if your multifamily property utilizes one or more alternative recycling services:

  • Third-Party Recycler: The multifamily property contracts with a recycler, who is not a franchised hauler​, to collect, haul, and recycle all recyclables. All contracts between the multifamily property and each alternative service recycler must be retained on-site for verification during future inspections.
  • Self-Haul: The multifamily property hauls its recyclables to a local recycling facility. Receipts must be retained on-site for verification during future inspections. Note: If only recycling aluminum cans or cardboard, for example, all other recyclable materials must also be collected and recycled through self-haul or another option listed here.
  • Shared Container - The multifamily property places its recyclables into another adjacent business or multifamily recycling container to be recycled. Evidence that all parties agree to sharing the container and a copy of the recycling collection service contract must be retained on-site for verification during future inspections.

​Option 3

  • ​Physical Space Waiver (not commonly used): If the multifamily property does not have adequate space for a recycling container, the Physical Space Waiver portion on the Recycling Co​mpliance Form​ must be completed. A Physical Space Waiver should not be submitted if there is space for a container outside the trash enclosure. Note: Supporting documents are required as evidence that the multifamily property does not have space for the smallest container available, a 64-gallon cart which is approximately 25 inches wide x 32 inches deep x 42 inches high.
For more information visit the FAQs or contact commercialwaste@saccounty.gov

Property managers are required to educate tenants on how to separate organics and recycling from garbage by:

  • Educating new tenants within 14 days of their move-in;
  • Providing all tenants with annual reminders; and
  • Making all containers easily accessible for tenants. ​

Container Accessibility

Make the Containers Easy to Find:

Make sure the Organics and Recycling containers have clear labels. The Organics container(s) should identify food scraps, food-soiled paper and green waste. Contact your waste hauler for labels.

Locate the Organics and Recycling container(s) next to the existing Garbage. If space is an issue, locate the Recycling and Organics container(s) near each other, with the Garbage container(s) elsewhere.  

Post signs or maps with the Organics and Recycling container location in common areas where your tenants frequent – lobby, mailbox area, etc.

Have Enough Containers for All Tenants:

One 64-gallon Organics container (approximately 25" wide x 32" deep x 42" high) is recommended for every 25 units.

One 1-yard Recycling container is recommended for every 16 units.

This allows tenants to correctly separate their Organics and Recycling, and ensures that all tenants can participate.

See the “Resources" tab for tenant brochures, tenant letter template letters, and container labels, and more.

​​​Organ​ics​​​​

Acceptable Organics:




Acceptable Organics Materials: Food scraps; Cheese and eggshells; Fruits and vegetables; Meat scraps and bones; Food-soiled paper; Coffee grounds, paper filters, tea bags; Yard trimmings; Compostable bags (must be BPI-certified (ASTM-D6400)).​


Unacceptable Materials:

     



Unacceptable Organics Materials: No glass; No metal; No coated paper or cartons; No plastics; No pet waste; No treated, painted, stained, oiled wood.

Check with your hauler for program specifics including acceptable/unacceptable items and how acceptable items must be preparedSee the “Kitchen Pails for Tenants" tab for information on getting kitchen pails.​

 


​​Recycling

Acceptable Recyclables:

All items must be empty and dry (no liquids or food residue) and put loose in the recycling container (bagged items are treated like garbage and go to the landfill).​


Acceptable Recyclable Materials: Plastic bottles and containers; Glass bottles and jars; Cleaned, flattened cardboard and paperboard; Paper; Metal cans.


Unacceptable Materials:


     


Unacceptable Recyclable Materials: No plastic bags or plastic wrap, Styrofoam (TM); No propane tanks, paint, batteries, needles; No hoses, cords, chains, clothes hangers; No coated paper or cartons; No clothing, shoes, blankets; No organics; No liquids. 

Check with your hauler for program specifics including acceptable/unacceptable items and how acceptable items must be prepared.

 ​


​​Garbage

Acceptable Garbage:




Acceptable Garbage: Plastic bags (check grocery stores for recycling drop-off sites); Styrofoam (TM); Chip bags and candy wrappers; Diapers; Coated paper products: paper milk cartons, broth containers, juice boxes, to-go cups; Plastic utensils and straws; Pet waste; Bubble wrap, plastic food wrap, padded envelopes, foil pouches; Clothes, shoes, blankets (consider donating to charity).

Unacceptable Garbage: 
     






Unacceptable Garbage: No organics; No recyclables; No liquids; No e-waste; No rocks, dirt, bricks, sod; No hot ashes, coals, fireworks; No hazardous waste.

Check with your hauler for program specifics including acceptable/unacceptable items and how acceptable items must be prepared.

 

 ​

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW): 

HHW does not belong in any container. Please visit the HHW Drop-Off Centers page for more information on free disposal for tenants.



Household Hazardous Waste (HHW): Used cooking oil/motor oil; Used oil filters; Paint (oil-based or latex) and paint thinners; Home-generated needles and syringes; Household cleaners; Household batteries; Propane tanks (barbeque style, limit two, maximum 7 gallons).

 

 

​Required Service: Bulky Waste (Mattresses, Furniture, etc.)


Mattress, Furniture

Multifamily properties are required to subscribe to a specific bulky waste (mattresses, furniture, etc.) removal service, on an on-call or more frequent basis to avoid overflowing waste containers and unsafe accumulation outside of containers pursuant to Sacram​ento County Code 6.20.430​. 


Tenants should contact management for bulky item disposal options and not put bulky items inside or outside of waste containers or enclosures. 

Some household bulky items – electronics and small corded items – are accepted for free* at Kiefer Landfill and the North Area Recovery Station. Go to the Free Item Drop-Off page​ for a complete list.

*Load must only contain free items.

A kitchen pail with a label


​A limited number of free 2-gallon kitchen pails to collect food scraps and food-soiled paper inside your home are available while supplies last. The pails are an easy and convenient way to collect food scraps in the kitchen before dumping them in the Organics container(s) located outside near the Recycling and/or Garbage container(s). For availability and to schedule a time to pick up, email commercialwaste@saccounty.gov​. ​​

Kitchen Pail Pick up Locations Flyer 

How to Collect Food Scraps & Food Soiled Paper in the Kitchen​

Remove stickers, twist ties, rubber bands, and plastic wraps from food scraps. Drain excess liquid from food scraps.

Remove stickers, twist ties, rubber bands, and plastic wraps from food scraps. Drain excess liquid from food scraps. ​​

Line kitchen container with a paper bag or towel, newspaper, or compostable bag (must be BPI certified or meet ASTM D6400 standards).

Line kitchen container with a paper bag or towel, newspaper, or compostable bag (must be BPI certified or meet ASTM D6400 standa 

 

Store kitchen container in a convenient location (under sink, on the countertop, or in the refrigerator or freezer).

Store kitchen container in a convenient location (under sink, on the countertop, or in the refrigerator or freezer). 

 

FREQUENTLY empty kitchen container into your property's Organics container to avoid odor and pests.

FREQUENTLY empty kitchen container into your property's Organics container to avoid odor and pests. 

 

This section features suggested solutions to common issues experienced by property managers at multifamily properties. If you are experiencing issues that are not included here or would like to share an approach with us that worked for you, please email CommercialWaste@SacCounty.gov.

Pursuant to Sacramento County Code 6.20.430, property managers are required to ensure their recycling and organics collection services are adequate by subscribing to a sufficient level of service (container size, number of containers, and frequency of pick up) for their property, making sure the containers are clearly labeled, and ensuring containers are reasonably accessible to tenants.

Multifamily properties are also required to educate tenants within 14 days of their move-in on how to separate organics, recycling, and garbage and to provide annual reminders to all tenants.

1) Increase Participation​​​​​:

Increase participation in the organics and/or recycling collection program at your property by ensuring tenants are educated on correctly separating these items, providing kitchen pails to tenants for food scrap collection, and making collection containers accessible to all tenants. 

Education

Provide educational outreach by:

  • Holding interactive community events and presentations to encourage tenant engagement. If you are interested in having a speaker from our Department present at a community event, please contact CommercialWaste@SacCounty.gov.     
  • Utilizing the materials in the “Resources" tab of our Multifamily page (template letters, translated brochures, signage, downloadable enclosure container symbols, and easy to understand imagery) to provide regular notices to tenants. Include educational resources in your move-in packet for tenants. We also have copies of the Multifamily Recycling and Waste Services Guide available to pick up in bulk.
  • Providing annual updated information and reminders on how to correctly separate organic material and recyclables from the garbage to all tenants. For example, an annual notice can be issued or updated brochures/pails/maps can be provided during annual inspections of each unit. 
  • Updating your current property map to ensure the locations of all collection containers are clearly marked, especially if the organics and/or recycling containers are not consistently located with the garbage container. The organics, recycling, and garbage container symbols on the “Resources" tab of our Multifamily page can be used on property maps to mark the different container locations.

Kitchen​ Pails

Provide kitchen pails to tenants for organics collection in their kitchens. While supplies last, free 2-gallon kitchen pails (to collect food scraps and food-soiled paper) are available for pickup at two of our facilities. Please contact CommercialWaste@SacCounty.gov to arrange a pickup appointment.

Accessibility

Ensure all containers (organics, recycling, and garbage) are accessible to tenants. Ideally, there should be at least one organics and one recycling container present at each waste enclosure.

Make sure all containers are clearly labeled. Post signs or maps in common areas that clearly show the location of the organics and recycling containers. This includes the lobby, mailbox area, etc. Contact your waste hauler for labels.

Place the organics and recycling containers next to the existing garbage container(s). If space is an issue, place the recycling and organics containers near each other, with the garbage container(s) elsewhere. If there is space outside of a waste enclosure, consider placing smaller sized containers there.   

One 64-gallon organics container (approximately 25" wide x 32" deep x 42" high) is recommended for every 25 units. One 1-yard recycling container is recommended for every 16 units. This ensures that all tenants have adequate access to all container types and can participate in separating organic material and recyclables from the garbage.

Please note that some waste containers automatically lock when the lid is closed. If your containers automatically lock, ensure all tenants can access the containers when they are intended to be available.

2) Contamination:

Contamination means that unacceptable items have been put in the collection container. For example, cardboard should go in the recycling container, not in the garbage container and bagged garbage should go in the garbage container not in the recycling or organics containers.

Reducing contamination and promoting participation in your organics and recycling collection programs go together. In addition to employing the strategies previously listed for increasing participation, consider these solutions:

  • For your recycling containers, ask your waste hauler if they offer slotted lids. These lids reduce access to the recycling containers to encourage tenants to only place recyclable materials (like flattened cardboard, paper, and bottles) inside. Additionally, these lids can be kept locked while still allowing tenant access.
  • Have staff periodically check the materials placed in the recycling and organics containers to identify common contaminants. Reinforce education to tenants by sending notices informing them of the correct container for these items.
  • Establish a policy to enforce the waste collection rules at your property. For example, a fine can be imposed.

3) Theft and Scavenging:

To prevent theft of the organics/recycling cart(s) and to discourage scavenging in the recycling container(s), consider implementing the following solutions:

  • Bolt/chain the organics/recycling cart(s) to the enclosure wall to prevent theft. 
  • Use security cameras to monitor the waste enclosures. Place signs on the outside of the enclosures to inform of the security system.
  • Implement a lock/unlock system with the containers and/or enclosures by: 
    • Keeping all containers/enclosures locked and providing a copy of the key(s) to all tenants,
    • Keeping the organics container(s) locked and attaching a key to the container(s) during specific times. Keep copies of the key at the main office in case it is misplaced, and/or
    • Having staff lock/unlock the waste containers at certain times of day. For example, you can keep the containers/enclosures unlocked during service hours. Please note that some containers automatically lock when the lid is closed. If your containers automatically lock, ensure all tenants can access the containers when they are intended to be available.

Communicate with your waste hauler regarding your options to ensure your containers are secured. Additionally, ensure all tenants are aware of the security system in place for your collection program.

4) Illegal Dumping:

To prevent illegal dumping, consider taking these proactive steps: 

  • Use signs to inform violators that illegal dumping is a crime and indicate if you have a security system.
  • Use security cameras to monitor the waste enclosures and entrance(s) at your property.
  • Keep your property maintained and well-lit to deter illegal dumping.
  • Keep property gates locked. Ensure waste enclosure gates are locked.
  • Properly dispose of bulky items. Create set bulky waste disposal days for a franchised hauler​ or licensed hauler to pick up items.
  • Encourage the reporting of illegal dumping by using the 311 app. Unreported illegal dumping results in more illegal dumping activity.

For more information, visit Sacramento County's illegal dumping website.

Educational Resources:

Tenants

Property Managers

Signage:

Property Enclosure Signs

Place signs on enclosure walls near the corresponding waste container:

Franchise Hauler Container Labels

Please use the labels that correspond with your Franchised Hauler:

Report Multifamily Waste Collection Issues:

To report an issue with the organics/food waste, recycling, and/or garbage collection program at a property, submit the Commercial Waste Collection Issues Form​ or contact CommercialWaste@SacCounty.gov.

Contact us for more inform​ation:​​​​

Email: commercialwaste@saccounty.gov 

Phone: (916) 874 - 4200​

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