SERVICES PROVIDED

Albany enjoys one of the highest waste diversion rates in the County! Greening the business sector to recycle and compost is a top priority for the City. As such, recycling is provided at no additional charge to commercial businesses and organics service (food scraps and plant debris) is provided at 50% less cost than regular trash services.

The City of Albany contracts with Waste Management of Northern California for garbage, recyclables and organics (food scraps, food-soiled paper and plant debris) collection service. You may contact them directly to set up or change service at 1 + (510) 613-8700.

COMMERCIAL COMPOSTING AND RECYCLING REQUIREMENTS

Effective January 1, 2022, a new California state law (SB 1383) goes into effect requiring that compostable materials be kept out of landfills—including food scraps, paper, cardboard, and plant trimmings—to prevent the production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. In Alameda County, the law is implemented under the Organics Reduction and Recycling Ordinance.

Businesses, institutions, and nonprofits as well as owners/managers of multifamily properties with five or more units must subscribe to compost/organics and recycling collection service, set up color-coded and labeled indoor bins (multifamily properties: common areas only), ensure proper sorting, and educate employees, contractors, and/or tenants about the law at least annually and during tenant move-in and move-out.

Certain food-generating businesses* must also donate surplus edible food to food recovery (rescue) organizations or services instead of composting it. Click here for more information and to find a list of Food Recovery Partners available to pick up or receive surplus edible food from Alameda County businesses and institutions. 

*Tier 1 sites that must start surplus food donation by 1/1/22: large supermarkets ($2M+ gross annual sales), grocery stores (>10,000 sq. ft.), food service providers, food distributors, and wholesale food vendors. Tier 2 sites that must start surplus food donation by 1/1/24: large health facilities (100+ beds), hotels (200+ rooms), large venues and special events (2,000+ individuals per day), restaurants (>5,000 sq. ft. or 250+ seats), state agency facilities, and public schools.

  • Contact Waste Management of Alameda County at (510) 613-8700 to order compost/organics and recycling collection service if you don’t already have it and to request containers.
  • To learn what goes where, visit Resource.Stopwaste.org/Curbside.
  • For more information about the Ordinance, including free support services and outreach materials, visit www.StopWaste.org/Rules. 

CONTACTS

Waste Management provides free onsite waste and recycling assessments, stickers, and internal containers (limited supplies) upon request.

Service Provider Information:
Waste Management of Northern California
Phone:  1 + (510) 613-8700

Request Recycling Technical Assistance:
Alameda County Waste Management Authority (Stopwaste.Org)
Phone: 1 + (510) 891-6575
www.recyclingrulesac.org/request-assistance

City Information: 
City of Albany Community Development Department
Phone: 1 + (510) 528-5760
Email