Recycling Rules Alameda County

City of Fremont

 

Mandatory recycling in the City of Fremont has been in effect since July 1, 2012 for businesses and institutions with 4 or more cubic yards of garbage service as well as multi-family properties with 5 or more units. Phase 2 of the Mandatory Recycling Ordinance began July 1, 2014, which requires all businesses to participate. Requirements to collect food scraps and compostable paper separately from garbage were effective July 1, 2017.

 

Compliance Requirements

All businesses and institutions must:

  1. Provide containers and service of sufficient number, size and frequency for recyclable materials.
  2. Recycle all recyclable Covered Materials: cardboard, newspaper, white paper, mixed recyclable paper, recyclable glass food and beverage containers, metal (aluminum and steel) food and beverage containers, PET (#1) and HDPE (#2) plastic bottles.
  3. Businesses and institutions that generate significant quantities* of organics (food scraps and/or compostable paper), such as restaurants and grocery stores: Provide containers and service of sufficient number, size and frequency for organics.
  4. Businesses and institutions that generate significant quantities* of organics, such as restaurants and grocery stores: Place food scraps and compostable paper in separate organics cart/bin for organics collection.
  5. Ensure recycling and organics containers are contamination free. Only recyclable materials may be placed in recycling containers and only organics may be placed in organics containers.
  6. Provide information at least annually to employees, tenants, and contractors describing how to properly use the recycling, garbage, and organics containers, as well as no later than 14 days after move-in and no less than 14 days prior to move-out for tenant businesses.

* The Ordinance prohibits the disposal of any food scraps or compostable paper in the garbage. However, for practical use, organics are considered to be “significant” when 10 or more gallons (think two 5-gallon buckets full) are disposed of in a garbage cart or 20 or more gallons (four 5-gallon buckets full) of organics are disposed of in a garbage bin.

Additionally, ACWMA Ordinance 2008-01 requires businesses and institutions in Alameda County generating 4 or more cubic yards of garbage per week to separate all plant debris from garbage and recyclable materials. Those with on-site service must place plant debris in a designated organics collection bin. Businesses can arrange for the removal of plant debris by their landscaper. The landscaper must haul to an approved facility and must deposit plant debris in the facility’s designated “clean green” area.

Property owners and managers of multi-family properties with 5 or more units must:

  1. Provide containers and service of sufficient number, size and frequency for recyclable materials at the same or at an equally convenient location as garbage.
  2. Provide containers and service of sufficient number, size and frequency for organics (food scraps and compostable paper) at the same or at an equally convenient location as garbage.
  3. Provide information at least annually to employees, tenants, and contractors describing how to properly use the recycling, garbage, and organics containers, as well as no later than 14 days after move-in and no less than 14 days prior to move-out.

Additionally, ACWMA Ordinance 2008-01 requires multi-family properties in Alameda County generating 4 or more cubic yards of garbage per week to separate all plant debris from garbage and recyclable materials. Those with on-site service must place plant debris in a designated organics collection bin. Multi-family property owners or managers can arrange for the removal of plant debris by their landscaper. The landscaper must haul to an approved facility and must deposit plant debris in the facility’s designated “clean green” area. Inspectors are in the field surveying multi-family buildings for compliance with the ordinance requirements. Residents of multi-family properties can use this online form to report a property owner who may not be in compliance with the Mandatory Recycling Ordinance.

Services Provided

The City of Fremont contracts with Republic Services, formerly Allied Waste Services, for garbage, recycling and organics (food scraps, food-soiled paper and plant debris) collection service. Recycling and organics collection are available at discounted rates.

Free onsite waste and recycling assessments are available upon request.

Service Provider Information:
Republic Services
http://local.republicservices.com/site/alameda-county
Phone: (510) 657-3500

City Information:
City of Fremont
www.fremont.gov/environment
Phone: (510) 494-4570 (Environmental Services)

Support Materials

Below are downloadable support materials specific to the City of Fremont. Additional support materials for any community are also available for businesses and institutions and multi-family properties.

Businesses and institutions support materials:

Multi-family support materials: