Organic waste, including but not limited to food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard waste, must be diverted from the landfill. Businesses need to participate in their local organic waste recycling programs to be in compliance with new state law. These programs will look different depending on what community your business is located in. .

Check out further details on commercial organic waste recycling below. Businesses can also learn about donating surplus food and reducing organic waste in the first place, which not only limits waste but can also reduce costs.

Click on each sub-heading to learn more.

Business Organics Recycling Programs

If your business is located in the cities of Buellton, Goleta, Santa Barbara, Solvang, or the unincorporated areas of the Santa Ynez Valley, and South Coast:

• Organic Waste Collection Details

  • Businesses that generate organic waste, such as grocery stores and restaurants, are highly encouraged to participate in the food scraps collection program. This program is signified by yellow bins, which accept all food scraps and food-soiled paper products. Participation in this program is voluntary for small waste generating businesses in the unincorporated areas of the South Coast including Isla Vista, Noleta, Montecito, Los Olivos, and Santa Ynez. Participation in this program is mandatory for large waste generating businesses located in the cities noted above, please check your city’s website to be up to date on all the regulations that may apply.
  • Waste generated from businesses and residents in these areas goes to the County’s ReSource Center, which is a new state-of-the-art facility located at Tajiguas Landfill that recovers organic waste from the trash stream. Recovered organics are then transformed into compost and clean energy on-site. You can be rest assured knowing that if you live or work in these areas, the food scraps and food-soiled paper going in your trash are being recovered and composted at the ReSource Center. This is why the organic waste collection program may be voluntary for your business in this region if your business does not produce large quantities of organic waste.
  • Some businesses are also required to donate surplus edible food. Businesses must meet a threshold designed by the State of California to meet this requirement. However, all businesses can donate surplus food if they wish! Click here to learn more about food recovery.
  • Yard waste should still be disposed of in green bins or be self-hauled to one of the transfer stations that accept this material, where it is ground into mulch. Please do not mix food scraps with your yard waste if you live in these areas, as it interferes with the mulching process.

If your business is located in the unincorporated Lompoc Valley and Santa Maria Valleys, including Los Alamos, Vandenburg Village, or Orcutt:

• Organic Waste Collection Details

  • All businesses in these communities are now required to have organic waste collection service. Please call Waste Management at (805) 922-2121 to subscribe to organic waste collection service if you don’t already have a green bin. These areas now accept more types of organic waste in the green bin, including but not limited to yard waste, coffee filters, used napkins, greasy pizza boxes, meats, bones, fruit or vegetable scraps, or plate waste. Organic waste that goes in the green bin is composted at a local facility and then used in local agriculture.
  • If you feel your business does not produce enough organic waste to need a green container, you can contact County staff to be evaluated for a waiver. Please visit this page to request a site visit.
  • Some businesses are also required to donate surplus edible food. Businesses must meet a threshold designed by the State of California to meet this requirement. However, all businesses can donate surplus food if they wish! Click here to learn more about food recovery.

If you live or work in the cities of Carpinteria, Guadalupe, Lompoc, or Santa Maria:

Your jurisdiction has its own business organics recycling program. Please visit your city’s website for specific details on how your business can properly participate in organics recycling.

If you have more questions, please contact your local jurisdiction to learn more about business organic waste collection service:

Unincorporated Areas (including areas of Isla Vista, Summerland, Montecito, Orcutt, Los Olivos, Los Alamos, Santa Ynez, or Vandenberg Village): For more information, call (805) 882-3624 or email ebraun@countyofsb.org.

City of Carpinteria: 805-684-5405

City of Santa Barbara: 805-564-5627

City of Goleta: 805-961-7575

City of Buellton: 805-686-0137

City of Solvang: 805-688-5575

City of Lompoc: 805-875-8024

City of Santa Maria: 805-925-0951 ext. 7270

City of Guadalupe: 805-343-1340

You can also reach out to your waste hauler if you have questions about your current service:

MarBorg Industries: 805-963-1852

Waste Management: 805-922-2121

For Unincorporated Areas (see areas listed above), County staff will work with your business to:

• Identify the amount of acceptable food scraps and wet/food soiled paper your business generates.
• Provide guidelines to help your staff understand what materials go into the designated containers.
• Assist with periodic monitoring and feedback to help keep the program on track.
• Provide free back of house collection containers to make collecting organics easier.
• Food Forward Food Assortment

What will be collected under this program?

If your business is located in the cities of Santa Barbara, Goleta, Solvang, Buellton, unincorporated Santa Ynez Valley and South Coast:

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If your business is located in the unincorporated Lompoc and Santa Maria Valleys:

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Call or e-mail us today!

For helpful tips on reducing food waste, download our Food Forward booklet.