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Recycling Programs

Divert more. Pay less. Stay compliant.

CalStar's recycling programs are built around California's AB 341 and SB 1383 mandates, with single-stream and source-separated options, monthly diversion reporting, and real rebates on cardboard and metal returned to you monthly.

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Why It Matters

Recycling isn't optional in California - it's law.

California's mandatory commercial recycling framework has been in force since 2012, with the SB 1383 organics layer added in 2022. For most businesses in Los Angeles County, failure to subscribe to a legitimate recycling program is a compliance violation - not a preference.

Beyond compliance, a well-designed recycling program usually reduces your net hauling cost. When cardboard, metal, and clean recyclables leave the trash stream, your trash container fills slower - meaning lower pickup frequency and real dollar savings, even before rebates.

Every CalStar recycling program includes

  • Compliance-grade service documentation for AB 341 and SB 1383
  • Single-stream or source-separated programs - your choice
  • Monthly diversion report with per-stream tonnage and diversion %
  • Cardboard and metal rebates credited on your monthly invoice
  • Properly labeled containers with contamination guidance
  • Staff training materials available for new employee onboarding
  • LEED-formatted diversion reports available on request
  • Organics (SB 1383) containers and service available
  • Net-30 billing with rebate line-item offsets clearly shown
AB 341
Compliant Service
SB 1383
Organics Program
Monthly
Diversion Reports
Rebates
Cardboard & Metal
California Law

The two laws your business needs to know.

California's recycling mandates have been expanding for over a decade. Here's the plain-language version of what applies to most L.A. businesses - and what CalStar does about each.

AB 341 - 2012

Mandatory Commercial Recycling

Who it applies to

Any business or multi-family complex that generates 4 or more cubic yards of solid waste per week. This includes most retail stores, offices with 10+ staff, restaurants, schools, and industrial facilities.

What's required
  • Subscribe to recycling service from a certified hauler
  • Maintain records of your recycling activities
  • Provide documentation to jurisdiction if requested

CalStar's role: We provide certified recycling collection and deliver monthly tonnage reports you can file directly with your jurisdiction's compliance system.

SB 1383 - 2022

Mandatory Organics Recycling

Who it applies to

All businesses and residential properties in California. SB 1383 targets organic waste (food scraps, food-soiled paper, green waste) which generates methane in landfills. Enforceable by local jurisdictions starting January 1, 2022.

What's required
  • Subscribe to organic waste collection service
  • Keep contamination below 25% in organics containers
  • Edible food generators must participate in food recovery
  • Self-certify annually for low-volume exemption if applicable

CalStar's role: We supply compliant organics containers, arrange certified transfer to compost facilities, document contamination rates, and provide the monthly reports needed for compliance binders.

Materials Guide

What we accept and what earns you a rebate.

Not all recyclables are equal - some generate rebates based on commodity market value; others are diverted for compliance but generate no revenue. Here's the full breakdown.

Material Accepted? Stream Rebate? Notes
Cardboard / OCC Yes Single-stream or separate Rebate Must be clean and flat-packed. Wet or food-soiled OCC accepted in organics stream only.
Ferrous Metal Yes Separate Rebate Steel, iron, appliances, structural steel. Clean loads earn best rebate rates.
Non-Ferrous Metal Yes Separate Rebate Aluminum, copper, brass. Sorted loads yield higher commodity value.
Clean Plastics (#1 PET, #2 HDPE) Yes Single-stream No Must be empty and rinsed. Mixed plastic grades go to MRF for sorting.
Green Waste Yes Separate organics No Tree trimmings, grass, brush, sod. No treated wood or lumber.
Organics / Food Waste Yes Organics stream No SB 1383 compliance stream. Food scraps, food-soiled paper, waxed cardboard.
Glass Yes Single-stream No Bottles and jars only. Window glass, mirrors, and ceramics are not accepted.
E-Waste (electronics) No Not accepted - Requires certified e-waste recycler under California's e-Waste Recycling Act. Call 2-1-1 for options.
Hazardous Material No Not accepted - Paint, solvents, batteries, acids, pesticides. Contact LA County SAFE Center.
Tires No Not accepted - Requires a licensed tire disposal facility under CalRecycle regulations.

Rebate amounts vary with commodity market pricing. Current rates available from your account rep.

Diversion Benchmarks

How much more you can divert with the right program.

Diversion rate measures what percentage of your total waste is diverted from landfill through recycling or composting. California's statewide goal is 75% diversion. Most businesses not using a structured program fall well short.

The addition of organics collection is the single largest diversion jump available - food waste and organic materials make up 30–40% of most commercial waste streams by weight.

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No Recycling Program
0%

Everything goes to landfill. Highest tip costs, no rebates, compliance violation for most businesses.

Single-Stream Recycling
30–40%

Mixed recyclables captured in one container. Easy for staff. Some contamination reduces diversion potential.

Source-Separated Program
55–70%

Cardboard, metal, and clean plastics separated at the source. Higher quality loads, better rebates, higher diversion.

+ Organics Collection
75–85%

Adding an SB 1383-compliant organics stream is the biggest diversion jump available. Meets California's 75% target.

Rebate Program

How your recycling generates cash back.

Cardboard (OCC) and metals are commodity materials - they have real market value. When CalStar accepts these materials from your facility in a clean, uncontaminated state, we sell them to mills and scrap processors. A portion of that revenue is passed back to you as a rebate on your monthly invoice.

Rebates don't require any action on your part - they appear automatically as a negative line item (credit) on your invoice every month that qualifying material is collected.

What is a "clean load"?

A clean load means the material stream contains only the target material - cardboard with no wet food waste or trash mixed in, metal with no concrete or wood, etc. Contaminated loads are sent to the general waste stream and earn no rebate.

How is the rebate calculated?

CalStar weighs your material at our facility and applies the current commodity market rate for that material class. Rates fluctuate monthly with the paper and scrap metal markets. Your account rep can share current rates on request.

How does it show on my invoice?

Your monthly invoice includes a line item labeled "Recycling Rebate - [Material] - [Tons]" with a negative dollar amount. This offsets your total invoice balance. No separate check - it reduces what you owe.

How do I maximize my rebate?

Keep streams clean. Flat-pack cardboard before placing in the bin. Keep metal containers separate from other streams. Avoid placing wet or food-contaminated materials in recycling containers. Your rep will advise on any contamination patterns.

The more you sort, the more you earn.

Accounts with high OCC and metal volumes often offset 10–25% of their total monthly waste service cost through rebates.

Getting Started

Up and running in three steps.

1
Diversion assessment

A CalStar recycling specialist reviews your current waste profile - material types, volumes, existing containers, and compliance status. We'll identify the streams with the highest diversion potential and flag any compliance gaps to address immediately.

2
Program design and container setup

We deliver the right containers for each stream, install signage, and set your pickup schedule. For source-separated programs, we help design your bin room layout so sorting is intuitive for staff. Setup is completed in a single visit for most locations.

3
Monthly reports and rebate credits

By the 5th of each month, you receive a full diversion report with tonnage by stream, diversion percentage, year-to-date summary, and current commodity rebate totals. Rebate credits appear on the same invoice - nothing for you to track separately.

Common Questions

Recycling program FAQ.

What's the difference between single-stream and source-separated recycling?▼
In a single-stream program, all recyclables - cardboard, bottles, cans, and clean paper - go into one container together and are sorted at a Material Recovery Facility (MRF). It's the easiest program for staff to use but generates some contamination. In a source-separated program, cardboard, metal, and other streams each have their own container. It takes more discipline but produces cleaner loads, higher rebates, and higher diversion rates. CalStar can provide either or a hybrid approach.
What happens if my recycling container gets contaminated with trash?▼
Contaminated recycling containers are weighed and billed at the standard waste rate - not the recycling rate - for that pickup. The driver photographs and documents the contamination. On first occurrences, your account rep reaches out to discuss what was found. Persistent contamination can often be solved with clearer signage or a brief staff training - CalStar provides both at no cost.
Do the diversion reports satisfy CalRecycle and local jurisdiction requirements?▼
Yes. CalStar's monthly reports include all data fields required by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) and most local jurisdictions for AB 341 and SB 1383 compliance documentation. Reports are formatted for direct inclusion in compliance binders and can be exported in PDF or CSV. If your jurisdiction has specific reporting requirements, let your rep know and we'll accommodate.
Are rebate amounts guaranteed every month?▼
Rebate amounts fluctuate with commodity markets - cardboard and metal prices can vary significantly quarter to quarter based on global demand. CalStar does not guarantee a fixed monthly rebate amount. However, we do guarantee that any qualifying material we collect will generate a rebate at the current market rate. Your rep can share current rates and help you estimate monthly credit ranges based on your volume.
Can I get recycling service without also having CalStar handle my trash?▼
Yes — CalStar can provide recycling-only service to a business that uses another hauler for general trash. Some clients use us solely for OCC and metal recycling to capture rebates and hit compliance targets. There's no requirement to bundle services. However, bundled trash and recycling accounts receive priority scheduling, combined invoicing, and often better per-stop economics.

Start earning rebates while staying compliant.

AB 341 & SB 1383 compliant · Monthly diversion reports · Cardboard & metal rebates · Los Angeles County

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