Recycling Programs | CalStar Services

Material segregation bays at CalStar's Sun Valley transfer station

The CalStar Way

More diverted. Less landfill. Full compliance.

CalStar processes recyclables at our own Sun Valley transfer station - meaning your material actually gets sorted and diverted, not just counted as recycling on paper. We issue diversion reports for businesses that need them.

AB 341 & SB 1383 compliant - we keep commercial customers and landlords in good standing.
Diversion reports on request - monthly or quarterly, formatted for CalRecycle submissions.
Single-stream collection for residential and light commercial - no sorting required.
Material-specific containers for C&D, metal, green waste, cardboard, and organics.
Same container network as our disposal service - one account, one invoice, one point of contact.

Our Programs

A recycling program for every customer type.

Single-Stream Residential

One bin for paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, and metals. No sorting. Processed at the Puente Hills MRF.

Commercial Recycling

AB 341-compliant three-stream service for offices, retail, and restaurants. Diversion reporting included.

C&D Material Recovery

Construction and demolition containers for clean concrete, asphalt, metal, and wood. Lower tipping fees on qualifying loads.

Organics & Green Waste

SB 1383-compliant organics collection for food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard waste. Required for businesses.

E-Waste & Electronics

TVs, computers, and small electronics accepted at our Sun Valley yard or via crew pickup. All routed to certified e-recyclers.

Cardboard & Paper

Dedicated cardboard-only containers for warehouses and retailers. High-volume baling and offset pricing available.

California Compliance

AB 341 and SB 1383 — we handle it for you.

California law requires most businesses generating 4+ cubic yards of solid waste per week to have a recycling program. SB 1383 adds mandatory organics collection. Penalties start at $500/day for non-compliance. CalStar sets up the program, provides inspection documentation, and issues the diversion reports that prove you're meeting your statutory requirements.

What we take

Accepted materials.

Cardboard and paper - clean, dry, flattened preferred
Plastics #1–7 - bottles, tubs, and rigid containers
Glass - bottles and jars (no windows or ceramics)
Metals - aluminum cans, steel, scrap metal
Green waste - grass, leaves, branches, food scraps (organics program)
Clean concrete, asphalt, and inert C&D material
Electronics - all types via certified e-waste partners

What we can't take

Contamination to avoid.

Food-contaminated paper or cardboard (goes to organics, not recycling)
Plastic bags, film plastic, and wrap
Styrofoam / EPS foam
Ceramics, mirrors, and plate glass
Hazardous materials of any kind

Contaminated loads may be rejected or redirected to general disposal. When in doubt, call us before loading.

Common questions

Recycling Services FAQ.

Does my business need a recycling program by law?▼

If your business generates 4 or more cubic yards of solid waste per week, AB 341 requires a commercial recycling program. SB 1383 adds mandatory organics collection for virtually all commercial and multifamily customers. We can assess your situation and set up a compliant program in one visit.

What's the difference between single-stream and source-separated recycling?▼

Single-stream means everything - paper, plastic, glass, metal - goes in one bin and gets sorted at a material recovery facility. Source-separated means you sort materials on-site into separate containers, which typically results in higher-quality recyclables and lower tipping fees on large volumes.

Do you provide diversion reports?▼

Yes. We issue monthly or quarterly diversion reports documenting the volume and type of material diverted from landfill. These reports are formatted to support CalRecycle compliance filings and can be provided to your local jurisdiction upon request.

Can you handle recycling for a construction project?▼

Absolutely. We offer clean concrete-only, metal-only, and mixed C&D recycling containers for job sites. Clean loads typically qualify for reduced tipping fees, and the material diversion can count toward LEED certification credits.

How does organics collection work for a restaurant?▼

We set up a dedicated food-waste and food-soiled paper container - usually a 32-gallon or 64-gallon cart - and schedule pickup 2–5 times per week depending on your volume. Material goes to an LA County-approved composting facility. You get a weight ticket and diversion log for your SB 1383 records.

What does a recycling program cost?▼

Residential single-stream starts at an add-on to your regular service rate. Commercial programs are quoted based on container size, pickup frequency, and material type. We don't charge extra for diversion reports — they're included.

Recycling that actually works.