New organic waste recycling regulations took effect on January 1, 2022. California law requires that all business must separate their food waste from their recyclables and trash. If your business generates more than 2 cubic yards of solid waste per week (all waste sources combined) you are required to sign-up for organics collection.

Waivers can be granted for businesses who produce 2 cubic yards or more of solid waste and less than 20 gallons of organic waste, or the business’s solid waste collection is less than 2 cubic yards and less than 10 gallons of organic waste can submit for a waiver.  However, businesses that sell or produce food cannot receive a waiver.

There are a few cases where a waiver may be warranted. Click here to learn more.

This law aims to pull all food waste out of the waste stream and will help protect the City’s vital resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and maintain a healthy and sustainable environment for every Lincoln resident.

As the City’s exclusive organics hauler, the City of Lincoln is committed to helping business owners achieve full compliance. We have made signing up for the Organics Recycling Program easy. Simply fill out the application form which takes less than 5 minutes to complete. If you think you are eligible for a waiver, fill out the waiver form and select your waiver reason.

The first container will cost $31.23 and each additional container will cost $28.94.  Charges will be made on a monthly basis and added to your current utility bill. 

After completing the program application, the City of Lincoln will deliver 35-gallon containers for food waste to your business and service it every Thursday.

The City’s solid waste team will work with you to get everything set up and help answer any questions you may have. Our goal is to ensure a smooth transition to this new service that is mandated by the State of California. 

If you think you are eligible for a waiver, fill out the waiver form and select your waiver reason.

Organics collection refers only to the collection of food scraps and food peelings and does not include food-soiled paper. The graphic below shows examples of the type of waste that is accepted.

Mandatory recycling of organic waste is the next step toward achieving California’s aggressive recycling and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission goals. California disposes approximately 30 million tons of waste in landfills each year, of which more than 30 percent could be used for compost or mulch (see the 2021 Waste Characterization Study). 

Organic waste such as green materials and food materials are recyclable through composting and mulching, and through anaerobic digestion, which can produce renewable energy and fuel. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from the decomposition of organic wastes in landfills have been identified as a significant source of emissions contributing to global climate change. 

For more information on the connection between the waste sector and California’s GHG emission reduction goals, please see CalRecycle’s Climate Change page. 

Below are additional links for businesses to get more information about this organics recycling program and resources.

• Business Requirements and Resources
• A Guide To Workplace Composting
• Green Your Business