New Recycling Requirements for Businesses, Multi-unit Housing

Since 2004, the city of Santee has exceeded its goal to recycle at least 50 percent of its solid waste, thanks to an aggressive recycling program and cooperation from local residents.

In 2011, Santee achieved a disposal rate of 4.5 pounds per person per day, exceeding the state’s mandatory goal of no more than 6.5 pounds of solid waste per person per day.

That means Santee diverted 65 percent of it recyclable solid waste, preventing that material from being taken to a landfill and exceeding the state’s minimum requirement by 15 percent.

But a new state law (Assembly Bill 341) requires communities to increase recycling.
Beginning July 1, commercial businesses that dispose of at least 4 yards of waste per week and multi-family complexes of five or more units are required to separate recyclables from their trash.

For more information on this new law, contact the city at (619) 258-4100 ext. 128 or via email at eruiz@ci.santee.ca.us or Waste Management Inc. at (619) 596-5100.