Valley Vista Services is the franchise hauler providing refuse service to El Monte’s commercial sector. Please contact V.V.S. with any issues regarding refuse collection at 800-442-6454.

Commercial Refuse Rate effective January 2026

New Food & Yard Waste Rules - SB 1383

           Effective July 1 2022

On October 5, 2021, the El Monte City Council passed the City’s Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal reduction ordinance (Ordinance #3006) requiring all residential, commercial and multi-family premises in the City to subscribe to the City’s Organic Waste Reduction Program. The City of El Monte will be implementing various measures to achieve the state-mandated waste diversion goals. Information on food waste for businesses and commercial compliance can be found at California’s Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy.

Reason for Changes

In 2016 Senate Bill (SB) 1383 established a goal of reducing the volume of organic waste disposed in California landfills by 75% by 2025. As defined by the law, organic waste includes lawn and landscaping debris, wood and lumber, food, food-soiled paper and other paper and cardboard products. Currently, two-thirds of this material is landfilled. As organics break down in landfills, they create methane, a powerful greenhouse gas which the state of California has identified as a factor in climate change. In addition, SB 1383 establishes a goal of increasing edible food recovery by 20% by 2025.    

The regulations specify that certain food-related businesses must donate the maximum amount of edible food they would otherwise dispose of to food recovery organizations. Starting January, 2022, wholesale food vendors, food service providers, food distributors, grocery stores and supermarkets, must donate surplus edible food to food recovery organizations. Starting in 2024 this will include hotels, restaurant facilities, health facilities, state agency cafeterias, large venues, events and educational facilities. California is working towards a 2025 goal to redirect and donate 20% of edible food to those in need.

Collection and Recycling

Starting in July, 2022, the City and Valley Vista Services will expand organic waste collection services for residents and businesses. Food and yard waste collected in green carts will be recycled using:

• Composting facilities that make soil amendments, materials that are added to soil to change and improve it.
• Anaerobic digestion facilities, technology and microorganisms break down organic waste in closed spaces where there is no oxygen and create renewable natural gas.

Who is Affected?

The new organic waste law affects all Californians, including single family residences, multi-family complexes, commercial entities, and schools. The City of El Monte is expecting to launch its organic recycling program in July, 2022. 

Commercial and Mult-Family (5+ Units)

Green carts will be automatically delivered to all businesses generating two cubic yards or more of waste and used for all "organics," including landscaping, food scraps, and food-soiled paper. If you have space constraints or produce less than 20 gallons of organic material then you may apply for a waiver. Assistance with on-site food scraps recycling and setting up a food recovery program is available. Get more information by contacting Valley Vista Services at (800) 442-6454.

Commercial Food Generators

To reduce food waste and help address food insecurity, SB 1383 requires that by 2025 California will recover 20 percent of edible food that would otherwise be sent to landfills, to feed people in need. The law directs that Food Generators must arrange to recover the maximum amount of their edible food that would otherwise go to landfills and to maintain records of their food donation activities. SB 1383 places mandated food donors into two tiers. This tier system allows businesses and jurisdictions more time to prepare to expand or build new food recovery infrastructure and capacity to donate foods that are harder to safely store and distribute.  If you are a Tier 1 or Tier 2 Generator, this applies to your business,  please click on the link or QR code shown below and fill out fill out the SB 1383 Survey for Food Generators:  

City of El Monte SB1383 Survey Form

As stated above, starting January, 2022, wholesale food vendors, food service providers, food distributors, grocery stores and supermarkets, must donate surplus edible food to food recovery organizations. Starting in 2024 this will include hotels, restaurant facilities, health facilities, state agency cafeterias, large venues, events and educational facilities. Get more information by contacting the City’s Environmental Service Department at 626-580-2058.

Tier 1 and Tier 2 Edible Food Generators are require to file an Annual Report with the City ever February 1st for the previous calendar year. Below are the items that must be contained in the annual report.

(i)         The name, address and contact information of the Food Recovery Service or Food Recovery Organization and if you have a contract with them

(ii)        The types of food that will be collected by or self-hauled to the Food Recovery Service or Food Recovery Organization.

(iii)       The established frequency that food will be collected or self-hauled.

(iv)       The quantity of food, measured in pounds recovered per month, collected or self-hauled to a Food Recovery Service or Food Recovery Organization  for Food Recovery.

(v)        A copy of Donation Receipts

Please scan the QR code for access to the report.        

Food Donation Resources

• FoodDrop  
• FoodOasis  
• FoodForward

OTHER IMPORTANT STATE RECYCLING REGULATIONS

The State of California passed Assembly Bill 341, requiring mandatory commercial recycling, starting July 1, 2012. El Monte’s franchise hauler, Valley Vista Services, provides mixed-waste processing at their facility, ensuring compliance with this statute. The State of California also passed Assembly Bill 1826, requiring mandatory organics recycling for businesses or multi-family residences generating specified amounts of organic waste materials. Property owners should contact V.V.S. to discuss organics recycling options. For more information regarding the Commercial Recycling, visit https://www.valleyvistaservices.com/recycling/. The City of El Monte Environmental Services Division may also be contacted for assistance, at 626-580-2058.

Mandatory Commercial Recycling Bill (AB341)

California passed Assembly Bill 341, requiring mandatory commercial recycling, starting July 1, 2012. Commercial businesses and Multi-family complexes that are affected must be either source separate trash from recyclables on-site or co-mingle trash and recyclables in one container. EL Monte’s service provider does co-mingle trash and recyclables. However, if you generate a lot of recycling material, a separate recycling bin may provide opportunities for your business to save money. For more information, please follow the below link or contact Valley Vista Services at 800-442-6454 or visit this link for AB341.

Mandatory Organics Recycling Law (AB1826)

California passed the Mandatory Organics Recycling Law AB1826 (effective April 1, 2016) to reduce the number of compostable materials sent to landfills. AB 1826 phases in requirements for businesses that generate specified amounts of organic waste per week to arrange recycling services for that material. Valley Vista Services Commercial Organic Waste Recycling Program was created for those generators that either meet the requirements of mandatory organics recycling (AB1826), or those generators that choose to opt into a source-separated organics recycling program. If you require further information, please contact Valley Vista Services at 800-442-6454 or visit this link for  AB1826.