CC Ordinance No. 21-2231 Repealing Section 6.24.037, Adopting Section 6.24.037, Section 6.24.038, and Amending Sections 6.24.010, 6.24.020, 6.24.060, 6.24.240, and 9.16.030 (Organic Waste Disposal Reduction)ORDINANCE NO. 21-2231
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF:CUPERTINO
AMENDING CITY CODE TO REPEAL SECTION 6.24.037, ADOPT A NEW
SECTION 6.24.037, ADOPT A NEW SECTION 6.24.038, AND AMEND SECTIONS
6.24.010, 6.24.020, 6.24.060, 6.24.240, AND 9.16.030, TO MANDATE ORGANIC
WASTE DISPOSAL REDUCTION
The City Council of the City of Cupertino finds and declares:
A. Assembly Bill 939, the California Integrated Waste Management Act (Sher,.
· Chapter 1095, Statutes of 1989, as amended) (" AB 939"), requires cities and
counties to reduce, reuse, and recycle (including composting) solid waste
generated in their jurisdictions to the maximum extent feasible before any
incineration or landfill disposal of waste, to conserve water, energy, and other
naturaltesources, and to protect the environment.
B. State recycling law, Assembly Bill 341 (Chesbro, Chapter 476, Statutes of 2011)
places requirements on businesses and multi-family generators that generate a
specified threshold amount of solid waste to arrange for recycling services and .
requires jurisdictions to implement a mandatory commercial recycling program.
C. In 2015, the City of Cupertino ("City") adopted a Mandatory Organic Recycling
for Business Structures ordinance, adding Section 6.24.037 to the City's Municipal
Code, specifying that on and after September 1, 2015 businesses and business
structures generating a specified threshold of organic waste are required to
subscribe to and maintain organic waste recyc;ling services. Multi-family
residential properties were phased in to the requirements in July 2018.
D. State organics recycling law, Assembly Bill 1826 (Chesbro, Chapter 727, Statutes
of 2014) requires businesses and multi-family generators that generate a specified
threshold amount of solid waste, recycling, and organic waste per week to arrange
for recycling services for those materials, requires jurisdictions to implement a
recycling program to divert organic waste from businesses subject to the law, and
requires jurisdictions to implement a mandatory commercial organics recycling
program.
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page2
E. Senate Bill 1383, the Short-lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Act of 2016 (Lara; ·
Chapter 395, Statutes of 2016) ("SB 1383"), sets statewide organic waste disposal
reduction targets of fifty percent (50%) by 2020 and seventy-five percent (75%) by
2025, based on the 2014 organics waste disposal baseline, set forth in Section
39730.6 of the Health and Safety Code, and requires the California Department of
Resources Recycling and Recovery ("CalRecycle") to develop regulations to
reduce organics in landfills as· a source of methane. In 2020, CalRecycle adopted
the Short-Lived Climate Pollutants: Organic Waste Reductions regulations
(adding Chapter 12 of Title 14, Division 8 of the California Code of Regulations
and amending portions of Title 14 and Title 27 of the California Code of
Regulations) (the "SB 1383 Regulations"). The SB 1383 Regulations place
requirements on multiple entities including jurisdictions, residential households,
commercial businesses and business owners, commercial edible food generators,
haulers, self-haulers, food recovery organizations, and food recovery services to
support achievement of statewide organic waste disposal reduction targets.
F. By January 1, 2022, the SB 1383 Regulations require jurisdictions to adopt and
enforce an ordinance or other enforceable mechanism to implement relevant
provisions of SB 1383 Regulations. This ordinance will aid in preserving landfill
space and postponing the need f~r new landfill capacity for the longest term
possible by reducing the amount of solid waste (including organic waste and
· recyflable materials) disposed. This ordinance will also help reduce food
insecurity by requiring commercial.edible food generators to arrange to have the
maximum amount of their edible food, that would otherwise be disposed, be
recovered for human consumption. ·
G. The City has coordinated with. Santa Clara County and other jurisdictions in the
county to develop uniform provisions for the portions of the ordinance
adddressing edible food recovery. The City has determined that this .coordination
will simplify compliance for commercial businesses, promote food recovery in the
City, and faciliate edible food recovery capacity planning.
H. The City has determined that, in order to meet the goals and requirements . of
Assembly. Bill 939, Assembly Bill 341, Assembly Bill 1826, SB 1383 and its
implementing regulations, and related laws, the appropriate approach is to enact
this_ ordinance. J:he purpose of this ordinance is to reduce the amount of. organic
waste deposited in landfills from commercial and residential gen~rators arid
reduce food insecurity.
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page3
I. Requirements in this ordinance are intended to be consistent with federal, state,
and City law, and other adopted laws, goals and policies of the City including: the
Climate Action Plan, Zero Waste Policy, and Environmentally Preferable
Purchasing Policy.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO DOES
ORDAIN AS·FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. ADOPTION
The Cupertino Municipal Code Section 6.24.037 is hereby repealed and replaced in its
entirety by a new Section 6.24.037, a new Section 6.24.038 is hereby added, and Sections
6.24.010, 6.24.020, 6.24.060, 6.24.240, and 9.16.030 are h~reby amended, all of which are.
adopted as set forth in Attachment A.
SECTION 2. SEVERABILITY AND CONTINUITY.
The City Council declares that each section, sub-section, paragraph, sub-paragraph,
sentence, clause and phrase of this ordinance is severable and independent of every other
section, sub-section, paragraph, sub-paragraph, sentence, clause and phrase of this
ordinance. If any section, sub'-section, paragraph, sub-paragraph, sentence, clause or
phrase of this ordinance is held invalid, or its application to any person or circumstance,
be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unlawful, unenforceable or
otherwise void, the City Council declares that it would have adopted the remaining
provisions of this ordinance irrespective of such portion, and further declares its express
intent that the remaining portions of this ordinance should remain in effect after the
invalid portion has been ~liminated. To the extent the provisions of this ordinance are
substantially the same as previous provisions of the Cupertino Municipal Code, these
provisions shall be construed as continuations of those provisions and not as an
amendment to or readoption of the earlier provisions.
SECTION 3. CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
. This ordinance is not a project under the requirements of the California Quality Act of
1970, together with related State CEQA Guidelines (collectively, "CEQA") because it has
no potential for resulting in physical change in the environment, either directly or
ultimately. In the event that this ordinance is found to be a project under CEQA, it is
subject to the CEQA exemption contained in CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and
15308 because it can be seen with certainty to have no possibility of a significant effect on
the environment and the ordinance ·is an action taken by a regulatory agency for the
protection of the environment. CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page4
of causing a significan~ effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty
that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on
the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. In this circumstance, the
amendments to the City code would have no or only a de minimis impact on the
environment. The foregoing determination is made by the City Council in its
independent judgment.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DA TE
This ordinance shall take effect thirty days after adoption as provided by Government
Code Section 36937. However, the ordinance's requirements shall not become operative ·
until January 1, 2022, which means that the City, .and/or its designee, will not begin to
enforce the provisions and penalties under the ordinance until January 1, 2022.
SECTION 5. PUBLICATION
The City Clerk shall give. notice of adoption of this ordinance as required by law.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 36933, a summary of this 'ordinance may be
. prepared by the City Clerk and published in lieu of publication of the entire text The City
Clerk. shall post in the office of the City Clerk a certified copy of the full text of the
· Ordinance listing the names of the City Council members voting for and against the
ordinance.
INTRODUCED at a regular meeting of the Cupertino City Council on October 5, 2021
and ENACTED at a regular meeting of the Cupertino City Council on October 19, 2021
by the following vote:
Vote .Members of the City Council
AYES: Paul, Chao, Moore, Wei, Willey
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Pages
SIGNED:
City of Cu
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Christopher D. Jensen, City Attorney
II /7../z.07...../
Date
Date
Oct 27, 2021
Date
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page5
ATTACHMENT A -AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO TO
MANDATE ORGANIC WASTE DISPOSAL REDUCTION
The sections of the Cupertino Municipal Code set forth below are amended or adopted as follows:
Text added to existing provisions is shown in bold double-underlined text (example) and
text to be deleted in shown in strikethrough (C)cample). Textin existing provisions is not
amended or readopted by this ordinance. Text in italics is explanatory and is not an
amendment to the Code.
Where the explanatory text indicates that a new section is being added to the City Code,
the new section is shown in plain text.
i~:1.:,~~f:~tfd::~~%f~~~~~1t:l~~ll~~~~
6.24.010 Purpose of Chapter.
A. This chapter is determined and declared to be a health, sanitary and safety
measure necessary for the_ promotion, protection and preservation of the health,
safety and general welfare of the people of the City of Cupertino.
B. The City is required to comply with the applicable provisions of Assembly Bill
~the Californialntegrated Waste Management Act (AB 939 oF the "Act")~
Chapter 1095, Statutes of 1989, as amended).(" AB 939"), as amended, v,rhich is
codified in California Public Resources Code beginning at section 40000. AB
939The Act requires that by and after January 11 20001 fifty percent (50%) of the
solid waste generated must be diverted through some source reduction, recycling,
and composting activities.
C. · Assembly Bill 341 (Chesbro. Chapter 476. Statutes of 2011) places requirements
on businesses and multi-family generators that generate a specified_threshold
amount of solid· waste to · arrange for recycling services and requires . .
jurisdictions to implement a mandatory commercial recycling program.
D..G. Assembly Bill 1826 (Chesbro. Chapter 727. Statutes of 2014) requires businesses
and multi-family generators that generate a specified threshold amount of solid
waste, non-organic recyclables, and organ·ic waste per week to arrange for
recycling services for those materials, requires jurisdictions to implement a
recycling program to divert organic waste from businesses subject to the law.
and requires jurisdictions to implement a mandatory commercial organic waste
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page 6
E.
F.
G.
recycling program, v1hich amended the Act in 2014, to impose certain organic
waste recycling requirements, mandates that by April 1, 2016, a business that
generates eight (8) cubic yards or more of organic ·waste per 'Neck must arrange
. for recycling services, specifically for organic waste; by January 1, 2017, a business·
that generates four (4) cubic yards or more of organic vmste per 'Week rpust arrange
for recycling services specifically for organic 'Naste; by Janaary 1, 2019, a business
that generates four (4) or more cubic yards of commercial solid waste per ,,veek,
must· arrange for. recycling services specifically for organic vmste; by January 1,
2.020, if the State determines that the statewide disposal of organic 'Naste has not
been reduced to fifty percent (50%) of the level of disposal during 2014, a business
that generates hvo (2) cubic yards or more per ,veek of commercial solid ,vaste .
must arrange for the organic waste recycling, unless the State determined that this
requirement 'Nill not result in significant additional reductions of organics
disposal. In September 2020, the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery
(CalRecycle) implemented the authority under Assembly Bill 1826 to reduce the
threshold to two (2) cubic yards of solid :i;.vaste generated by covered businesses.
Senate Bill 1383. the Short-lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Act of 2016 (Lara.
. Chapter 395, Statutes of 2016) ("SB 1383"). sets statewide organic waste disposal
reduction targets of fifty percent (50%) by 2020 and seventy-five percent (75%)
by 2025. based on the 2014 organics waste disposal baseline. SB 1383's
implementing regulations place requirements on multiple entities including
jurisdictions. residential households. commercial businesses and business
owners, commercial edible food generators, haulers. self-haulers, food recovery
organizations. and food recovery services to support achievement of statewide
organic waste disposal reduction targets. SB 1383's implementing regulations
require jurisdictions to adopt and enforce an ordinance or other enforceable
mechanism to implement relevant provisions of SB 1383's implementing
regulations.
The City has coordinated with the County of Santa Clara and other jurisdictions
in the county to .develop uniform provisions for the portions of this chapter
adddressing edible food recovery. · The City has determined that this
coordination will simplify compliance· for commercial businesses. promote
food recovery in the City. and faciliate edible food recovery capacity planning.
Pursuant to 14 California Code of Regulations Section 18981.2, jurisdictions may
delegate certain responsibilities for implementing. monitoring. and enforcing
their edible food recovery programs to public or private entities.
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page 7.
H. This chapter will aid the City in meeting the goals and requirements of AB 939.
. Assembly_· Bill 341, Assembly Bill 1826. SB 1383 and its implementing
regulations, and related laws: aid in preserving landfill space and postponing
the need for new landfill capacity for the longest term possible; reduce the
amount of solid waste deposited in landfills from commercial and residential
generators; and reduce food insecurity.
LD. The City ma:y adopt, implement, and enforce a local solidorganic waste recycling
requirement that is more stringent or comprehensive than .§gtate law .
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6.24.020 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the
meanings_ ascribed to them by this section, unless the context or the provision clearly
requires otherwise:
1.
2...
~-1.
i2:,
§,J.
"Back-hcml" means a commercial business generating and transporting source
separated· recyclable materials and/or source separated green container organic
waste to a destination owned and operated by the generator using the
generator's own employees and equipment. or as otherwise defined in 14
California Code of Regulations Section 18982{aH66HA). .
"Blue container" has the same meaning as in 14 California Code of Regulations
Section 18982.2fa)(5) and shall be used for the purpose of storage andcollection
of source separated recyda.ble materials.
"Business" or "commercial" meari.s a: commercial or public entity, including, but
not limited to, a firm, partnership, proprietorship, joint stock company,
corporation, or association that is organized as a for-profit entity or non-profit
entity, or a multi-family residential dwelling property with five (5) or more
dwellings units.
"Business Structure" means a building or buildings within a property occupied by
one or more businesses.
"City" means and includes all the territory lying within the municipal boundaries
of the City of Cupertino as presently existing, plus all territory which may be
added thereto during the effective term of the ordinance codified herein.
· Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page 8
~4. "Collection station" means the location at which containers of garbagcsolid vmste,
non-organic recyclables and organic waste are placed for collection by the solid
waste collector. For businesses, collection station is typically the garbage and'
recycling area enclosure. For multi-family residential properties'l:ifH:ts with less
than five (5) residential dwellings units and other residential structures, the
· collection station is typically the street side of the concrete curb immediately
adjacent to the residence where curb and gutter exists or where no curb and gutter
exists, the edge of asphalt immediately adjacent to the residence.
7. "Commercial edible food generator" includes a tier one or a tier two commercial
edible food generator. For the pm.poses of this definition, food recove.ry
organizations and food recove.ry services are not commercial edible food
generators pursuant to 14 California Code of Regulations Section 18982fa){7).
. .
8. "Community composting" means any activity that composts green material,
agricultural material. food material. and vegetative food material, alone or in
combination. and the total amount of feedstock and compost on-site at any one
tiine does not exceed 100 cubic yards and 750 square feet. as specified in 14
California Code of Regulations Section 17855(a)(4): or. as otherwise defined by
14 California Code of Regulations Section 18982(a){8).
9. "Compliance review" means a review of records by the City and/or its designee
to determine compliance with this chapter.
10. "Compost" means the product resulting from the controlled biological
decomposition of organic solid waste that is source separated from the
municipal solid waste stream.·or which is separated at a centralized facility, or
as otherwise defined in 14 California Code of Regulations Section 17896.2fa)(4).
11. "Compostable plastic bags" means only such plastic bags that meet the BPI-
certified ASTM D6~00 standard for compostability. or such bags that are
approved by the City for placement in.the green container.
12-e. "Construction and demolition debris" or "C&D debris" means materials resulting
from the construction, remodeling, or demolition of buildings and other
structures. "Construction and demolition debris" includes, but is not limited to,
concrete, asphalt, rock and dirt related to construction, remodeling, repair, or
demolition operations and is subject to the provisions of Chapter 16.72.
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page9
13. "Container contamination" mearis a container, regardless of color. that contains
prohibited co:11-tainer contaminants, or as otherwise defined in 14 California
Code of Regulations Section 18982fa)(55).
14.e. "Debris box service" means collection service in containers without compaction
that have _a capacity of eight (8) cubic yards or more. Debris boxes may be used for
the collection of non-organic recyclable~ and organic waste, or garbage, and may
be used for construction and/er demolition debris that may or may not be intended
for full or partial recycling or other waste diversion.
15.7. "Delinquent" means a failure of the recipient of solid waste collection service to
pay when due all charges owed to ,the solid waste collector for solid waste
collection service rendered or to be rendered.
16. "Department" means any department of the City. the County of Santa Clara, or
any other public· agency designated by the City to enforce or administer this
chapter, as authorized in 14 California Code of Regulations Section 18981.2.
17. "Designee" means an entity that the City contracts with or otherwise arranges
to carry out or assist with any of the City's responsibilities for compliance with
solid waste-related laws or regulations or administration or enforcement of this
chapter as authorized in 14 California Code of Regulations Section 18981.2. A
designee may be a government entity, a hauler. a· private entity, or a
· combination of those entities.
W. "Director" means the Director of Public Works and his/hertheir duly authorized
agents and representatives.
199. "Dwelling" means a residence, flat, duplex, apartment, townhouse, condominium
or other facility used for housing one or more persons.
20. "Edible food" means food intended for human consumption, or as otherwise
defined in 14 California· Code of Regulations Section 18982fa)(18) .. For the
purposes of this chapter. "edible food" is not solid waste if it is recovered and
not discarded. Nothing in this chapter requires or authorizes the recovecy of
edible food that does not meet the food safety requirements of the California
Retail Food Code.
21. "Enforcement Qfficer" has the same meaning as in Section 1.10.020 of this code.
22.:W. "Equipment" means a debris box or debris bin and vehicles used to transport
debris boxes or bins.
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
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23. "Excluded waste" means hazardous materials, infectious waste, designated
waste, volatile, corrosive, medical waste. infectious. regulated radioactive waste,
and toxic substances or material that facility operator(s), which receive materials
from the City and its generators, reasonably believe(s) would. as a result of or
,YJ?On acceptance. transfer, processing. or disposal. be a violation of local. state,
or federal law, regulation, or ordinance •. including: land use restrictions or
. conditions, waste that cannot be disposed of in Class III landfills or accepted at
the facility by permit conditions, waste that in the City's and/or its designee' s
reasonable opinion would present a significant risk to hum~n health or the
envi_ronment cause a nuisance or otherwise create or expose the City and/or its
designee to potential liability; but not including de minimis volumes · or
concentrat~ons of waste of a type and amount normally found in single-family
or multi-family solid waste after implementation of programs for . the safe
collection, processing, recycling. treatment, and disposal of batteries and paint
in compliance with Sections 41500 and 41802 ofthe California Public Resources
Code.
241-1-. "Finance Director" means the Finance Director and his/hertheir duly authorized
agents and representatives.
25. "Food distributor" means a business that distributes food to entities including,
but not limited to, supermarkets and grocery stores. or as otherwise defined in
14 California Code of Regulations Section 18982(a)(22).
26. "Food facility" has the same meaning as in Section 113789 of the Health and
Safety Code.
27. "Food recovery" means actions to collect and distribute food for human
consumption which otherwise would be disposed. or as otherwise defined in 14
California Code of Regulations Section 18982(a)(24).
28. "Food recovezy organization" means an entity that engages in the collection or
receipt of edible food from commercial edible food generators and distributes
that edible food to the public for food recovery either directly or through other
entities. "Food recovezy organization" includes, but is not limited to: (a) a food
bank as defined in Section 113783 of the Health and Safety Code; (b) a nonprofit
charitable organization as defined in Section 113841 of the Health and Safety
code; and, (c) a nonprofit charitable temporacy food facility as defined in
Section 113842 of the Health and Safety Code. A food recovezy organization is
not a commercial edible food generator for the purposes of this chapter pursuant
to 14 California Code of Regulations Section 18982fa)(7). If the definition in 14
Ma°'datory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page 11
California Code of Regulations Section 18982fa}(25) for food . recovery
organization differs from this definition, the definition in 14 California Code of
Regulation Section 18982faH25) shall apply to this chapter.
29. "Food recovery service" means a person or entity that collects and transports
edible food from a comme.rcial edible food generator to a food recovery
organization or other entities for food recovery, or as otherwise defined in 14
California Code of Regulations Section 18982fa}(26). A food recovery service is
not a commercial edible food generator.
30. "Food scraps" means all food such as, but not limited to, fruits, vegetables, meat.
poultry, seafood, shellfish, bones, · rice, · beans, pasta, bread. cheese, and
eggshells. Food scraps excludes fats,· oils, and grease when such materials are
source separated from other food scraps.
31. · "Food service provider" means an entity primarily engaged .in providing food
services to institutional, governmental, commercial, or industrial locations of
others based on contractual arrangements with these types of organizations, or
as otherwise defined in 14 California Code of Regulations Section 18982fa}(27),
32. "Food-soiled paper" is compostable paper material that has come in contact
with food or liquid, such as, but not limited to, uncoated paper plates, napkins,
paper towels, and pizza boxes.
Ja.:.1:2:. "Food Waste" means food scraps, food-soiled paper, and compostable plastic
bagsunused and discarded solid food products/scraps including, but not limited
to, vegetables, fruit, meat, fish, shells, bones, cheese, bread, paper based tea bags
and coffee grounds. Food 'Naste is an organic waste.
am. "Garbage" means all materials, substances or objects that are discarded, including
but not restricted to, materials, substances or objects commonly referred to as·
"trash/' "garbage," "refuse" and "rubbish" that are produced, generated or
accumulated by all residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, municipal,
agricultural and other inhabitants, premises and activities within the City, the
collection of which is regulated through the franchise agreement existing between
the City and the authorized solid waste collector; provided, however, that
"garbage" does not include (a) hazardous materials, (h) non-organic tecyclable
materi~ls, (c) organic wastematerials, (d) dear plastic bags when used to contain
organic wastematerials to be recycled, (e) construction and demolition debris, (f)
biomedical waste, (g) ash, and (h) sewage anµ other highly diluted water-carried
materials or substances and those in gaseous form. Except in residential .
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page 12
dwellings, if the material is. placed in a plastic bag. the bag must only be clear
plastic.
35. "Gray container" has the same meaning as in 14 California Code of Regulations
Section 18982.2faH28). and which may be colored gray or black and shall be
used for the purpose of storage and collection of gray container waste.
36. "Gray container waste'' means solid waste that is collected in a gray container
that is part of a three-container collection service that prohibits the placement
of organic waste in the gray container as specified in 14 California Code of
Regulations Sections 18984.lfa) and (b), or as otherwise defined in 14 California
Code of Regulations Section 17402faH6.5).
37. "Green container" has the same meaning as in 14 California Code of
Regulations Section 18982.2fa){29) and shall ·be used for the purpose of storage
and collection of source separated green container organic waste.
38. "Grocery store" means a store primarily engaged in the retail sale of canned
food: dry goods; fresh fruits and vegetables: fresh meats. fish, and poultry: and
any area that is not separately owned within the store where the food is
prepared and served, including a bakery. deli, and meat and seafood
departments. or as otherwise defined in 14 California Code of Regulations
Section 18982la){30).
39. "Hauler route" means the designated itinerary or sequence o_f stops for each
segment of the City's collection service area, or as otherwise defined in 14
California Code of Regulations Section 18982fa)(31.5).
40±4. "Hazardous materials11 means any or a combination of materials which because of
#stheir quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical or infectious characteristics
may either: (a) cause or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or an
increase in serious irreversible, or incapacitating reversible illness; or (b) pose a
substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when
improperly treated, stored, transported or disposed of or otherwise managed.
Hazardous materials includesinclude, but isare not limited to, hazardous wastes
as defined under California or United States law or any regulations promulgated
pursuant to such laws, and all toxic, radioactive, biologically infectious, explosive
or flammable waste materials, including any material defined in Section 9.12.020
of the Cupertino City Code for which a hazardous materials storage permit is
required.
Mandatory Organic Wa~te Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231.
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41. "Health facility" has the same meaning as in Section 1250 of the Health and
Safety Code.
42. "Hotel" has the same meaning as in Section 17210 of the Business and
Professions Code.
43. "Inspect" or "inspection" means an enforcement officer's, the department's
and/or a designee' s electronic or on-site visit and review of records, containers,
and an entity's collection, handling, recycling, or landfill disposal of organic
~ ~-waste ~or edible food handling to determine if the entity~is~complying with
requirements set forth in this chapter, or as otherwise defined in 14 California
. Code of Regulations Section 18982fa)(35).
44. "Large event" means an event, including, but not limited to. a sporting event or
a flea market. that charges an admission price, or is operated by a local agency,
·and serves an average of more than two thousand (2,000) individuals per day of
operation of the event. at a location that includes, but is not limited to, a public,
nonprofit. or privately owned park parking lot, golf course. street system. or
other open space when being used for ari event. If the definition in 14 California_
Code of Regulations Section 18982faH38) for large event differs_ from this .
definition, the definition in 14 California Code of Regulations Section
18982faH38) shall apply to this chapter.
45. "Large venue" means a permanent venue facility that annually seats or serves
an average of more than two thousand (2,000) individuals within the grounds of
the facility per day of operation of the venue facility. A venue facility includes.
but is not limited to, a public, non-profit. or privately owned or operated
stadium, amphitheater, arena. hall. amusement park conference or civic center,
zoo, aquarium. airport racetrack horse track. performing arts _ center,
fairground. museum. theater, or other public attraction facility. A site under
common ownership or control that includes more than one large venue that is
contiguous with other large venues in the site, is a single large venue. If the
d~finition in 14 California Code of Regulations Section 18982(a)(39) for large
venue differs from this definition, the definition in 14 California Code of
Regulations Section 18982faH39) shall apply to this chapter .
4fil-§. "Litter" means.., but is not limited to, plastic, paper, cigarette butts, floor
sweepings, trash, rubbish, food, cloth, metal, recyclable material, or waste matter
of whatever character.
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page 14
47. "Local education agency" means a school district, charter school. or county
office of education that is not subject to the control of the City or county
regulations related to solid waste, or as otherwise defined in 14 California Code
of Regulations Section 18982{a}(40).
· 48¼. "Multi-unit residential propertydvrelling" or "multi-family residential
propertydv{elling'' or "multi-family" means any premises, excluding a hotel,
motel, or lodging house, used for residential purposes containing five (5) dwelling
units or more, irrespective of whether the residency is transient, temporary or
permanent.
49.
50.
"Non-compostable paper" includes, but is not limited to, paper that is coated in
a plastic material that will not break down in the composting process, or as
otherwise defined in 14 California Code of Regulations Section 18982{a}(41}.
"Non-local entity" means an entity that is an organic waste generator but is not
subject to the control of the City or county regulations related to solid waste.
These entities may include, but are not limited to, special districts, federal
facilities, prisons, facilities· operated by the state parks system. public
universities, including community colleges, county fairgrounds, and state
agencies.
51±7. "Non Organicorganic Recydableflfecyclables" or "non-organic recyclable
material" mean those materials that can be returned to economic use as raw
materials for new, reused or reconstituted products, which prior to collection are
separated by the generator from other material treated as solid waste. Examples
of Non Organic Recyclablesnon-organic recyclables include, but are not limited
to: newspaper, cans, corrugated cardboard, glass, certain types of plastic, metals,
wood and automobile oil. "Mixed non-organic recyclables" means more than one
type of non-organic recyclable material commingled in a bin; debris box,
compactor or other type of container. This material includes, but is not limited to
wood, paper, plastic, metals, glass, and other recyclaple materials other than
organic waste. The material must not contain more than five percent (5%1 by
volume garbage and organic waste.
52.:i-g, "Nonresidential premises'1 means all premises except residential premises,_
including but not restricted to premises used for industrial, commercial,
administrative and professional_ offices, public and quasi~public buildings, utility
and transportation.
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page 15
53. "Notice of violation" means a notice that a violation has occurred thatincludes
a compliance date to avoid an action to seek penalties, or as otherwise defined
in 14 California Code of Regulations Section 18982{a}(45) or further explained
in 14 California Code of Regulations Section 18995.4.
.54±9 .. "Occupancy"; "occupied'': Premises are "occupied" when a person or persons take
or hold possession of the premises for permanent or temporary use. For the
purposes of determining whether a premises is occupied during periods when
solid waste collection service is made available to such premises, occupancy shall
be presumed unless evidence is presented fnal gas~ electric, telephone and water·
utility services were not being provided to the premises during such periods.
5.5_2,Q, "Organic waste" means solid waste containing material originated from living
organisms and thE:ir metabolic waste products. including but not limited to
food. green material, landscape and pruning waste. organic textiles and carpets,
lumber, wood. paper products. printing and writing paper. manure. biosolids.
digestate. and sludges or as otherwise defined in· 14 California Code of
Regulations Section 18982fa){46). Biosolids and digestate are as defined by 14
California Code of Regulations Section 189_82(a)organic materials, including but .
not limited to, materials generated from tree trimming, shrubbery pruning,
vegetative garden vmstes, dead plants, :rNeeds, leaves, grass clippings, food vmste,
and non food vegetative matter, soiled paper and cardboard · and · vv:mced
cardboard that_ decompose biologically. The mr;lterial n::i-ust not contain in excess of
5% by volume garbage or non-organic recyclable materials. E)ccept inln residential·
dwellings, if the material is placed in a plastic bag,· the bag must only be ·,a
compostable plastic bag. In commercial properties or multi-family residential
properties, if the inaterial is placed in a plastic bag. the bag must be clear plastic
or a compostable plastic bag.
56. "Organic waste generator'' means a person or entity that is responsible for the
initial creation of organic waste. or as otherwise defined in 14 California Code
of Regulations Section 18982fa}(48).
5.'Z;?d.. "Owner" means the holder or holders of legal title to the real property constituting
· the premises to which solid waste collection service is provided;
$. "Paper products" include. but are not limited to. paper janitorial supplies.
cartons. wrapping. packaging. file folders. hanging files. corrugated boxes.
tissue, and toweling, or as otherwise defined in 14 California Code of
Regulations Section 18982(a){51).
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page 16
59~. "Person" includes any person, firm, association, organization, partnership,
business trust, joint venture, corporation, or company, and includes the United
States, the State of California, the County of Santa Clara, special purpose districts,
and any officer or agency thereof.
60~. "Premises" means any land, building or structure, or portion thereof, within the
City where any solid waste is produced, kept, deposited, placed or accumulated.
61.
62.
63.
64.
. . .
"Printing and writing paper" includes, but is not limited to, copy, xerographic,
watermark cotton fiber, offset. forms, computer printout paper, white wove
envelopes. manila envelopes. book paper. note pads, writing tablets. newsprint.
and other uncoated writing papers. posters, index cards, calendars, brochures,
reports, magazines, and publications, or as otherwise defined in 14 California
Code of Regulations Section 18982{a){54).
"Prohibited container contaminants" means the following: (i) discarded
materials placed in the blue container that are not identified as acceptable
source separated recyclable materials for the City's blue container: (ii) discarded
materials placed in the green container that are not identified as acceptable
source separated green container organic waste for the City's green container:
(iii) discarded materials placed in the gray container that are acceptable source
separated recyclable materials and/or source separated green container organic
waste to be placed in the City's green container and/or blue container; and <iv)
excluded waste placed in any container.
"Recovery" means any activity or process described in 14 California Code of
Regulations Section 18983.1(b). or as otherwise defined in 14 California Code of
Regulations Section 18982fa){49).
"Remote monitoring". means the use of the internet of things (IoT) and/or
wireless electronic devices to identify the types of materials in commercial
businesses' blue containers. green containers. and gray containers for purposes
of identifying the quantity of materials in containers <level of fill) and/or
presence of prohibited container contaminants. Remote monitoring may
involve installation of remote monitoring equipment on or in commercial
businesses' blue containers, green containers, and gray containers. A remote
monitoring program may be implemented by the City, its designee, and/or a
commercial business at a later date, consistent with the terms of this chapter.
Remote monitoring is not expected to be used for any residential premises.
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page 17
652:4. "Residential premises" or "residential" means any single-unit· dwelling or
multimultiple unit residential propertydv0elling.
66. "Restaurant" means an establishment primarily engaged in the retail sale of
food and drinks for on-premises or immediate consumption. or as otherwise
defined in 14 California Code of Regulations Section 18982fa)(64).
67. "Rcmte review" means a visual inspection of containers along a hauler route for
the purpose of determining container contamination, and may . include
· mechanical or electronic inspection methods such asthe use· of·cameras, or as ..
otherwise defined in 14 California Code of Regulations Section 18982(a}(65).
68. "Share Table" has the same meaning as in Section 114079 of the Health and
Safety Code.
.69,;?;e, "Single-stream recycling" means a recycling program in which generators place
multiple types of recoverable materials in a single container that is designated
specifically for recyclables and is taken to a material recovery facility for
processing.
20:2-6. "Single-unit dwelling" or "single-family dweHing" or "single-family" means one
o:i; more rooms and a single kitchen, designed for occupancy by one family for
residential purposes. Each dwelling unit within a condominium project, duplex,
townhouse project or apartment, and each second unit located within a single-
family residential zoning district, shall constitute a separate single-unit dwelling
to which solid waste collection service is provided, unless the owner or occupants
thereof arrange for solid waste collection service to be provided to all dwelling
units upon the premises at commercial rates.
Zl:2:7. "Solid waste'' has the same meaning as defined in California Public Resources ·
_Code Section 40191. and generally means all items of solid waste including, but
not limited to garbage, non-organic recyclables, organic waste and hazardous
materials eligible for collection.
72~. "Solid waste collector" means any person or entity authorized by the franchise
agreement between the Franchisee and the City, in accordance with Section
6.24.120 of this chapter, to collect, receive, carry, transport, process and dispose of
any garbage, non-organic r~cyclables, organics waste and hazardous materials
eligible. for collection, produced, kept or accumulated within the City.
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page 18
73~. "Solid waste collection service" means the collection, transportation and disposal
of garbage, organic wastcmaterials, non-organic recyclables and hazardous
materials eligible for collection by an authorized solid waste collector.
7430. "Source Separated Recyclables" means materialsany recyclables that, prior to
collection, are or have been separated or segregated by their generator as to type
or category of source material and are or have been placed into separate containers
according to type or category, i.e. all metal is separated from other recyclables and
placed in its own separate container or separate debris box.
75. "Source separated blue container organic waste" means. source separated
organic waste that can be placed in a blue container that is limited to the
collection of those organic waste and non-organic recyclables as defined in 14
California Code of Regulations Section 18982fa)(43), or as otherwise defined by
14 California Code of Regulations Section 17402(a)(18.7).
76. "Source separated green container organic waste" means source separated
organic waste that can be placed in a green container that is limited to collection
of organic waste by the generator, excluding source separated blue container
organic waste, carpets, non-compostable paper, textiles, and manure.
77. "Source separated recyclable materials" means source separated. non-organic
recyclables and source separated blue container organic waste.
78. "Supermarket" means a full-line, self-service retail store with gross annual sales
of two million dollars ($2,000,000). or more, and which sells a line of d;ty grocery,
canned goods, or nonfood items and some perishable items, or as otherwise
defined in 14 California Code of Regulations Section 18982(a)(71).
793±. "Tenant" means any person or persons, other than the owner, occupying or in
possession of a premises.
80. "Tier one commercial edible food generator" means the following: (a)
supermarkets; (b) grocezy stores with a total facility size equal to or greater than
10,000 square feet; (c) food service providers; (d) food distributors; and (e)
wholesale food vendors. If the definition in 14 California Code of Regulations
Section 18982(a)(73) of tier one commercial edible food generator differs from
this definition, the definition in 14 California Code of Regulations Section
18982(a)(73) shall apply to this chapter. For the purposes of this chapter, food
recovezy organizations and food recovezy services are not tier one commercial
edible food generators.
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page 19
81. 11Tier two commercial edible food generator" means the following: (a)
restaurants with two hundred fifty (250) or more seats or a total facility
size equal to or greater than five thousand (5,000) square feet: (b) hotels with an··
on-site food facility and two hundred (200) or more rooms: (c) health facilities
with an on-site food facility and one hundred (100) or· more beds: (d) large
venues: (e) large ·events: (f) state agencies with a cafeteria with two hundred fifty
(250) or more seats or total cafeteria facility size equal to or greater than five ·
thousand (5,000) square feet: and (g) local education agency facilities with on-
site food facilities. If the definition in 14 California Code of Regtdat!ons Se~ction
18982{a}(74) of tier two commercial edible food generator differs from this
definition, the definition in 14 Cakfironia Code of Regulations Section
18982(a)(74) shall apply to this chapter. Non~local entities that operate a facility
that meets this definition are tier two commercial edible food generators. For
the purposes of this chapter. food recovery organizations and· food recovery
services are not tier two commercial edible food generators.
82. 11Wholesale food vendor" means a business or establishment engaged in the
merchant wholesale distribution of food, where food (including fruits and
vegetables) is received, shipped •. stored. prepared for distribution to a retailer.
warehouse, distrib1:1tor, or other destination, or . as otherwise defined in 14
California Code of Regulations Section 189852(a}(76).
SECTION 3. ADOPTION OF NEW SECTION 6.24.037 CONCERNING
MANDATORY ORGANIC WASTE DISPOSAL REDUCTION, REPLACING
EXISTING SECTION 6.24.037 IN iTS ENTIRETY
6.24.037 Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction.
6.24.037.010
6.24.037.020
6.24.037.030
6.24.037.040
6.24.037.050
6.24.037.060
6.24.037.070
6.24.037.080
Requirements for Single-Family Generators.
Requirements for Commercial Business Generators.
Waivers for Commercial Business Generators.
Requirements for Haulers and Facility Operators.
Requirements for Back-Haulers.
Procurement.
Inspections and Investigations.
Enforcement.
6.24.037.010 Requirements for Single-Family Generators.
'Single-family organic waste generators shall:
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page 20
A. Subscribe to the City's organic waste collection services for all organic waste
generated. The City and/or its designee shall have the right to review the number
and size of a generator's containers to evaluate the adequacy of capacity provided
for each type of collection service and to review the proper separation of materials
and containment of materials.
B. Participate in the City's organic waste collection service by placing designated
materials in designated containers as described below, and not placing prohibited
container contaminants in collection containers. Generator shall place· source
separated green container organic waste, including food waste, in the green
container; source separated recyclable materials in the blue container; and gray
container waste in the gray container. Generator shall not place materials
designated for the gray container into the green container or blue container.
C. Nothing in this section prohibits a generator from preventing or reducing their
solid waste generation, managing organic waste on site, and/or using a
community composting site pursuant to 14 California Code of Regulations Section
18984.9(c).
6.24.037.020 Requirements for Commercial Business Generators.
Commercial business organic waste generators, including multi-family organic waste
generators, shall:
A. Exc~pt commercial businesses that meet the back-hauler requirements in Section
6.24.037.050 of this code, or that meet the -waiver requirements in Section
6.24.037.030 of this code, subscribe to the City's organic waste collection service
for all organic waste generated. The City and/or its designee shall have the right
to review the number and size. of a generator's containers and frequency of
collection to evaluate the adequacy of capacity provided for each type of collection
service and to review the proper separation of materials and containment of
materials.
B. Except commercial businesses that meet the back-hauler requirements in Section
6.24.037.050 of this. code, or that meet the waiver requirements in Section
6.24.037.030 of this code, pa~ticipate in the City's organic waste collection service
by placing designated materials in designated containers as described below, and
not placing prohibited container contaminants in collection containers. Generator
shall place source separated green container organic waste, including food waste,
in the green container; source separated recyclable materials in the blue container;
and gray container waste in the gray container. Generator shall not place materials
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page 21
designated for the gray container into the green container or blue container. If
organic waste is placed in a plastic bag, the bag must be a clear plastic or a
compostable plastic bag.
C. Supply and allow access to adequate number, size and location of collection
containers with sufficient labels or colors ( conforming with· Sections
6,24.037.020.D.1 and 6.24.037.020.D.2 of this code) for employees, contractors,
tenants, and customers, consistent with the City's blue container, green container,
and gray container collection service or,. if back-hauling, per the commercial
business1 s insfructfons fo suppofflts compliance-witff its oack=-haulprogram, in -
accordance with Section 6.24.037.050 of this code.
D. Excluding multi-family residential properties, provide containers for the collection
of source separated green container organic waste and source separated recyclable
materials in all indoor and outdoor areas where disposal containers are provided
for customers for materials generated by that business. Such containers do not
need to be provided in restrooms. If a commercial business does not generate any
of the materials that would be collected in one type of container, then the business
does not. have to provide that particular container in all areas where disposal
containers are provided for customers. Pursuant to 14 · California Code of
Regulations-Section 18984.9(b), the containers provided by the business shall have
either:
1. A_body or lid that conforms with the container colors specified by the City1
with either lids conforming to the color requirements or bodies conforming
to the color requirements or both lids and bodies conforming to color
requirements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a commercial business is.not
required to replace functional containers, including containers purchased
prior to January 1, 2022, that do not comply with the requirements of the
subsection prior to the end of the useful life of those containers, or prior to ·
January 1, 2036, whichever comes first.
2. Container labels that include language or graphic images,. or both,
indicating the primary material accepted and the primary materials
prohibited in that container, or containers with imprinted text or graphic
images that indicate the primary materials accepted and primary materials
prohibited in the container. Pursuant to 14 California Code of Regulations
Section 18984.8, the container labeling requirements are required on new
containers commencing January 1, 2022. .
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page 22
E. . Excluding multi-family residential properties, 'to the extent practical through
education, training, inspection, and/or other measures, prohibit employees from
placing materials in a container not designated for those materials per the City's
blue container, green container, and gray container collection service or, if back-
hauling, per the commercial business's instructions to support its compliance with
its back-haul program, in accordance with Section 6.24.037.050 of this code.
F. Excluding multi-family residential properties, periodically inspect blue
containers, green containers, and gray containers for contamination and inform
employees if containers are contaminated and of the requirements to keep
contaminants out of those containers pursuant to 14 California Code of
Regulations Section 18984.9(b )(3).
G. Annually provide information to employees, contractors, tenants, and customers
about organic waste recovery requirements and about proper sorting of source
separated green container organic waste and source separated recyclable
materials.
H. Provide education information within fourteen (14) days of new occupation of the
premises to new tenants that describes requirements to keep source separated
green container organic waste and source separated recyclable materials separate
from each other and gray container waste and the location of containers and the
rules governing their use.
I. Provide or arrange access for inspections conducted in accordance with Section
6.24.037.070 of this code to confirm compliance with the requirements of this
chapter.
J. Accommodate and cooperate with the City's remote monitoring program, if any,
for inspection of the adequacy of capacity and the types of materials placed in
containers to identify prohibited container contaminants.
K. At a commercial business's option and subject to any approval required from the
City and/or its designee, implement a remote monitoring program for self-
inspection and self-monitoring of the adequacy of capacity and the types of·
materials placed in containers to identify prohibited container contaminants.
L. Nothing in this section prohibits a generator from preventing or reducing waste
generation, managing organic waste on site, and/or using a community
composting site pursuant to 14 California Code of Regulations Section 18984.9(c).
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
·Page 23
6.24.037.030 Waivers for Commercial Business Generators.
A. De Miriimis Waivers. The Director may waive a co~mercial business's (including
a multi-family residential property's) obligation to comply with some or all of the
organic waste collection service requirements of this chapter if. the commercial
business provides documentation demonstrating that the business generates ·
below the amount of organic waste. described in this section. A commercial
business requesting a de minimis waiver shall:
· 1. ·· · Submitan application to the Directorspecifyingthe service or requirements
for which it is requesting a waiver.
2. Provide documentation that either:
(a) The commercial business's total solid waste is two (2) cubic yards or
more per week and organic waste subject to. collection in a blue
container or green container comprises less than twenty (20) gallons
per week per applicable container of the business' total waste; or,
(b) The commercial business's total solid waste is less than two (2) cubic
yards per week and organic waste subject to collection in a blue
container or green container comprises less than ten (10) gallons per
week per applicable container of the business's total waste .
(c) For the purposes of this section, total solid waste shall be the sum of
weekly container capacity measured in cubic yards for solid waste,
. non-organic recyclable material, and organic waste.
3. Notify the Director if circumstances change such that the commercial
business's organic waste exceeds the . threshold required for waiver
specified in this section, in which case the waiver will be rescinded.
4. Provide written verification of eligibility for a de minimis waiver to the
Director every five (5) years, if the City has approved a de minimis waiver.
B. Physical Space Waivers. The Director may waive a· commercial business's
(including a multi-family residentialproperty's) obligation to comply with some
or all of the organic waste collection service requirements of this chapter if the
commercial business provides documentation demonstrating that the premises
lacks adequate space for the collection containers required for compliance with
this chapter. A commercial busines·s requesting a physical space waiver shall:
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page24
1. Submit an application to the Director specifying the service or requirements
for which it is requesting a waiver.
2. Provide documentation that the premises lacks adequate space for blue
containers and/or green containers, which may include documentation
from its hauler, licensed architect, or licensed engineer.
3. Notify the Director if the commercial business's physical space
configurations change, in which case waiver will be rescinded.
4. Provide written verification of eligibility for a physical space waiver to the
. Director every five (5) years, if the City has approved a physical space
waiver.
6.24.037.040 Requirements for Haulers and Facility Operators.
A. Requirements for Haulers
1. The exclusive franchised hauler providing residential, commercial, or
industrial organic waste collection services to generators within the City's
boundaries shall meet the following requirements and standards:
(a) The Franchise Agreement with the exclusive franchised hauler will
identify the facilities to which the hauler will transport organic waste
including facilities for source separated recyclable materials and
source separated green container organic waste.
(b) Transport source separated recyclable · materials and source
separated green container organic waste to a facility, operation,
activity, or property that recovers organic waste as defined in 14
California Code of Regulations, Division 7, Chapter 12, Article 2.
2. Nothing in this section is applicable to haulers transporting source
separ~ted organic waste to a community composting site in a manner
otherwise consistent with law, or lawfully transporting C&D debris in a
manner that complies with 14 California Code of Regulations Section
18989.1 and the City's C&D debris ordinances, codified at Section 6.24.200
and 16.72.040 of this code.
3. Back-haulers shall comply with the requirements of Section 6.24.037.050 of
this code.
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page25
B. Requirements for facility operators and community composting operations
1. Owners of facilities, operations, and activities that recover organic waste,
induding, but not limited to, compost facilities, in-vessel digestion
facilities, and publicly-owned treatment works shall, upon the City's
request, provide information regarding available and potential new or
expanded capacity at their facilities, operations, and activities, including
information about throughput and permitted capacity necessary for
planning purposes. Entities contacted by the City shall respond within sixty
· (60)days.
2. Community composting operators, shall, upon the City's request, provide
information to the City to support organic waste capacity planning,
including, but not limited to, an estimate of the amount of ~rganic waste
anticipated to be handled at the community composting operation. Entities
contacted by the City shall respond within sixty ( 60) days.
6.24.037.050 Requirements for Back-Haulers.
A. Back-haulers shall source separate all non-organic recyclable material and organic
waste generated on-site from solid waste in a manner consistent with 14 California
Code of Regulations Sections 18984.1.
B. Back-haulers shall haul their source separated recyclable materials and source
separated green container organic waste for appropriate recovery.
C. Back-haulers shall keep records of the quantity of non-organic recyclable material
and organic waste being back-hauled. The records shall include the following
information:
1. Delivery receipts and weight tickets from the entity accepting the no11-
organic recyclable material and organic waste.
2. The amount of non-organic recyciable material and organic waste in cubic
yards or tons transported by the generator to each entity.
3. If the material is transported to an entity that does not have scales on-site,
or employs scales incapable of weighing the back-hauler's vehicle in a
manner· that allows it to determine the weight of materials received, the
back-hauler is not required to record the weight of material but shall keep
a record of the entities that received the non-organic recyclable material and
organic waste.
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page26
D. Back-haulers shall, upon the City's request, provide the records collected pursuant
to this section. Entities contacted by the City shall respond within sixty (60) days.
6.24.037.060 Procurement.
Mulch procured for the purpose of meeting the City's annual recovered organic waste
product procurement target pursuant to 14 California Code of Regulations Chapter 12 of
Division 7 must meet the requirements described in this section for the duration of the
applicable procurement compliance year, as specified by 14 California Code of
Regulations Section 18993.1(f)(4):
A. Produced at one of the following facilities:
1. A compostable material handling operation or facility as defined· in 14
California Code of Regulations Section 17852(a)(12), that is permitted or
authorized under 14 California Code of Regulations. Division 7, other than
a chipping and grinding operation or facility as defined in 14 California
Code of Regulations Section 17852(a)(10);
2. A transfer/processing facility or transfer/processing operation as defined in
14 California Code of Regulations Sections 17402(a)(30) and (31),
respectively, that is permitted or authorized under 14 California Code of
Regulations Division 7; or,
3. A solid waste landfill as defined in Public Resources Code Section 40195.1
that is permitted under 27 California Code of Regulations Division 2.
B. Meet or exceed the physical contamination, maximum metal concentration, and
pathogen density standards for land application specified in 14 California Code of
Regulations Sections 17852(a)(24.5)(A)1 through 3.
6.24.037.070 Inspections and Investigations
A. The City and/or its designee are authorized to conduct inspections and
. investigations, at random or otherwise, of any collection container, collection
vehicle loads, or transfer, processing, or disposal facility for materials collected
from generators, or source separated materials, to confirm compliance with this
chapter by organic waste generators, commercial businesses (including multi-
family residential properties), haulers, and back-haulers, subject to applicable
laws. This section does not allow the City or its designee to enter the interior of a
residential premises for inspection. For the purposes of inspecting commercial
· business containers for compliance with Section 6.24.037.020 of this code, the City
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page27
and/or its designee may conduct container inspections for prohibited contai~er
contaminants using remote monitoring, if such a program is adopted, and
commercial businesses shall accommodate and cooperate with such remote
monitoring pursuant to Section 6.24.037.020.J of this code.
B. Regulated entity shall provide or arrange for access during all inspections (with
the exception of residential premises interiors) and shall cooperate with the City
and/or its designee during.such inspections and investigations. Such inspections
and investigations may include confirmation of proper placement of materials in
containers, inspection of edible food recovery activities, review of required
records, or other verific~tion or inspection to confirm compliance with any other
requirement of this chapter. Failure of the regulated entity to provide or arrange
. for: (1) access to the premises; (2) installation and operation of remote monitoring
equipment, if a remote monitoring program is adopted; or (3) access to records for
any inspection or investigation is a violation of this chapter and may result in
penalties described in Sections 6.24.037.080 and 6.24.240 of this code.
C. Any records obtained by the City and/or its designee during inspections, remote
monitoring, if such a program is adopted, and other reviews shall be subject to the
requ_irements and. applicable disclosure exemptions of the Public Records Act as
set forth in Government Code Section 6250 et seq.·
D. The City and/or its designee are authorized to conduct any inspections, remote
monitoring, if. such a program is adopted, or other. investigations as reasonably
necessary to further the goals of this chapter, subject to applicable laws.
E. The City shall accept written complaints from persons regarding an entity that
may be potentially non-compliant with this chapter, including receipt of
anonymous complaints.
6.24.037.080 Enforcement.
A. For the period from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2023, the enforcement
officer and/or the City's designee will conduct inspections, remote monitoring (if
such a program is adopted), route reviews, compliance reviews, and investigation
of complaints, depending upon the type of regulated entity, to determine
compliance with· the requirements of Section 6.24.037 of this code. If the
enforcement officer and/or the City's designee determines that an organic waste
generator, back-hauler, hauler, or other entity is not in compliance with such
section, the enforcement officer and/or the City's designee shall provide
educational materials to the entity, describing its obligations under Section
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page28
6.24.037 of this code and that v~olations may be subject to administrative citations,
fines, civil penalties or other remedies beginning on January 1, 2024.
B. Beginning January 1, 2024, any person who violates any provision of Section
6.24.037 of this code shall be subject to the penalties as provided in Section 6.24.240
of this code.
C. The enforcement officer and/or the City's designee will monitor compliance with
Section 6.24.037 of this code through compliance reviews, route reviews,
investigation of complaints, and an inspection program (that may include .remote
monitoring, if such a program is adopted).
D. The enforcement officer may issue a notice of violation requiring compliance
within_sixty (60) days of issuance of the notice.
SECTION 4. ADOPTION OF NEW SECTION 6.24.038 CONCERNING EDIBLE
FOOD RECOVERY
6.24.03$ Mandatory Edible Food Recovery.
6.24:038.010
6:24.038.020
6.24.038.030
6.24.038.040
Requirements for Commercial Edible Food Generators.
Requirements for Food Recovery Organizations and Services.
Edible Food Recovery Inspections and Investigations by
Department or Designee.
Enforcement.
6.24.038.010 Requirements for Commercial Edible Food Generators.
A. Tier one commercial edible food generators must comply with the requirements
of this section commencing January 1, 2022, and tier two commercial edible food
generators must comply commencing January 1, 2024, pursuant to 14 California
Code of Regulations Section 18991.3.
B. Large venue or large event operators not providing food services, but allowing
for food to be provided by others, shall require food facilities operating at the
large venue or large event to comply with the requirements of this Section,
commencing January 1, 2024.
C. Tier one and tier two commercial edible food generators shall comply with the
following requirements:
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Ordinance No. 21-2231
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1. Arrange to recover the maximum amount of edible food that would
· otherwise be disposed.
2. Contract with, or enter into a written agreement with, food recovery
organizations or food recovery services for: (a) the ~olledion of edible
food for food recovery; or, (b) acceptance ofthe edible food that the
commercial edible food generator self-hauls to the food recovery
organization for food recovery.
3; · Shall not intentionally spoil edible food that-is capable of being recovered
by a food recovery or9a:nization or a food recovery service.
4. Allow the department or designee to access the premises, conduct
inspections, and review electronic and hard copy records pursuant to 14
California Code of Regulations Section 18991.4.
5. Keep records that include the following information, or as otherwise
specified in 14 California Code of Regulations Section '18991.4:
(a) A list of each food recovery service or organization that collects or
receives its edible food pursuant to a contract or written agreement
established under 14 California Code of Regulations Section
18991.3(b ). ·
(b) A copy of all contracts or written agreements established under 14
California Code of Regulations Section 1899L3(b).
(c) A record of the following information for each of those food
recovery services or food recovery o.rganizations:
(i) The name, address and contact information of the food
recovery service or food recovery organization.
(ii) The types of food that will be collected by or self-hauled to
the food recovery service or food recovery organization.
· (iii) The estabHshed 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;
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Ordinance No. 21-2231
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D. Tier one commercial edible food generators shall submit food recovery reports
meeting the requirements of Section 6.24.038 of this code to the department or
designee according to the following schedule:
1. On or before August 1, 2022, tier one commercial edible food generators
shall submit a food recovery report for the period of January 1, 2022
through June 30, 2022.
2. On or before May 1, 2023, and on or before May 1st each year t_hereafter,
tier one commercial edible food generators shall submit a food recovery
report for the period covering the entire previous calendar year.
· E. Tier two commercial edible food generators shall.submit food recovery reports
meeting the requirements of Section 6.24.038 of this code to the department or
designee according to the following schedule: ·
1. On or before May 1, 2025, and on or before May 1st each year thereafter,
tier two commercial edible food generators shall submit a food recovery
report for the period covering the entire previous calendar year.
F. Food recovery reports submitted by tier one and tier two commercial edible food
generators shall include the following information:
1. The name and address of the commercial edible food generator;
2. ' The name of the person responsible for the commercial edible food
generator's edible food recovery progrnm;
3. A list of all contracted food recovery services or food recovery
organizations that collect edible food from the commercial edible food
generator;
4. The total number of pounds of edible food, per year, donated through a
contracted food recovery organization or food recovery service.
G. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit or conflict with the protections
provided by the California Good Samaritan Food Donation Act of 2017, the
Federal Good Samaritan Act, or share table and school food donation guidance
issued by the California Department of Education pursuant to Senate Bill 557
(2017).
6.24.038.020 Requirements for Food Recovery Organizations and Services.
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Ordinance No. 21-2231
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A. Food recovery services collecting, receiving, or coordinating the collection of
edible food directly from tier one or tier two commercial edible food generators,
via a contract or written agreement established under 14 California Code of
Regulations Section 18991.3(b), shall maintain the following records, or as
otherwise specified by 14 California Code of Regulations Section 18991.5(a)(1):
1. The name, address, and contact information for each commercial edible
food generator from which the service collects edible food.
2: · -The quantity in pounds of edible food collected from each commercial
edible food generator per month.
3. The quantity in pounds of edible food transported to each food recovery
organization per month.·
4. The name, address, and contact information for each food recovery
organization that the food recovery service transports edible food to for
food recovery.
B. Food recovery organizations collecting, receiving, or coordinating the collection
of edible food directly from tier one or tier two commercial edible food
generators, via a contract or written agreement established under 14 California
Code of Regulations Section 18991.3(b ), shall maintain the following records, or
as otherwise specified by 14 California Code of Regulations Section 18991.5(a)(2):
1. The name, address, and contact information for each commercial edible
food generator from which the organization receives edible food.
2. The quantity in pounds of edible food received from ea.ch commercial
edible food generator per month.
3. The name, address, and contact information for each food recovery service
that the organization receives edible food from for food recovery.
C. Food recovery organizations and food recovery services that have their primary
address physically located in the City and contract with or have written
agreements with one or more tier one or tier· two commercial edible food
· generators pursuant to 14 California Code of Regulations Section 18991.3(b) shall
submit food recovery reports meeting the requirements of Section 6.24.038 of this
code to the department or designee according to the following schedule:
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page32
1. On or before August t 2022, food recovery organizations and food
recovery services shall submit a food recovery report for the period of
January 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022;
2. On or before May 1, 2023, and on or before May 1st each year thereafter,
food recovery organizations and food recovery services shall submit a ·
food recovery report for the period covering the entire previous calendar
year.
D. FoC>d recovery reports submitted by food recovery services or organizations shall
include the following information:
1. Total pounds of edible food recovered in the previous calendar year from
tier one and tier two edible food generators with whom the reporting
entity has a contract or written agreeme!)t pursuant to 14 California Code
of Regulations Section 18991.3(b ). ·
2. Total pounds of edible food recovered in the previous calendar year from
the tier one and tier two commercial edible food generators within Santa
Clara County with whom the reporting entity has a contract or written
agreement pursuant to 14 California Code of Regulations Section
18991.3(b).
E. In order to support edible food recovery capacity planning assessments or other
studies conducted by the County of Santa Clara, the City, or designee, food
recovery services and food recovery organizations operating in the City shall
provide information and consultation to the City, designee, or department, upon
request, regarding existing, or proposed new or expanded, food recovery
capacity that could be accessed by the City and its tier one and tier two
commercial edible food generators. A food recov~ry service or food recovery
. organization contacted by the City, the department, or designee shall respond to
such request for information within sixty (60) days, unless a shorter timeframe is
specified.
6.24.038.030 Edible Food Recovery Inspections and Investigations by Department or
Designee.
A. The department and/or designee are authorized to conduc~ inspections and
investigations, at random or otherwise, of any collection container, collection
vehicle loads, or transfer, processing, or disposal facility for materials collected
from generators to confirm compliance with this chapter by tier one and tier two
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page 33
commercial edible food generators, food recovery services, and food recovery
organizations, subject to applicable laws. This section does not allow the
department or designee to enter the interior of a residential premises for
inspection.
B. Regulated entities shall provide or arrange for access during all inspections (with
the exception of residential premises interiors) and shall cooperate with the
department's or designee' s employees during such inspections and
investigations. Such inspections and investigations may include in-person or
ele-ctronic review of edible food recovery activities; records, or any other
requirement of this chapter described herein. Failure to provide or arrange for
access to the premises or access to records for any inspection or investigation is a
violation of this chapter and may result in penalties described in Section
6.24.038.040 of this code.
C. · Any records obtained by the department or designee during inspections, and
other reviews shall be subject to the requirements and applicable disclosure
exemptions of the Public Records Act as set forth in Government Code Section
6250 et seq.
D. Representatives of the department and/or designee are authorized to conduct
any inspections, or other investigations as reasonably necessary to further the
goals of this chapter, subject to applicable laws.
E.. Department shall receive written complaints, including anonymous complaints,
regarding.entities that may be in violation of this chapter. Complaints shall
include the name and contact information of the complainant, if the complainant
is not anonymous; the identity of the alleged violator, if known; .a description of
the alleged violation including location(s) and all other relevant.facts known to
the complainant; any relevant photographic or documentary evidence to support
the allegations in the complaint; and the identity .of any witnesses, if known.
6.24.038.040 Enforcement.
A. Administrative Fine. Violation of any provision of this chapter shall constitute
grounds for issuance of a notice of violation and assessment of an administrative
fine by the department. Absent compliance by the respondent within the
deadline set forth in the notice of violation, the department shall commence an
action to impose penalties, vi.a an administrative citation and fine.
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page34
B. Notice of Violation. Before assessing an administrative fine, the department shall
issue a notice of violatio_n requiring compliance w:ithin sixty days of issuance of
the notice. The notice shall include: (1) the name(s) of each person or entity to
whom it is directed, (2) a factual description of the violations, including the
regulatory section(s) being violated, (3) a compliance date by which the
respondent is to take specified action(s), and (4) the penalty for not complying
before the specified deadline:
C. Extensions to Compliance Deadlines. The department may extend the
compliance deadlines set forth in a notice of violation if it finds that there are
extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the respondent that make
compliance within the deadlines impracticable, including the following:
1. Acts of God such as earthquakes, wildfires, flooding, and other
emergencies or. natural disasters;
2. Delays in obtaining discretionary permits or other government agency
approvals;
3. Deficiencies in edible food recovery capacity and the existen<;:e of a
corrective action plan imposed pursuant to 14 California Code of
Regulations Section 18996.2 due to those deficiencies; or,
4. Any other circumstance in which the department director, in their sole
discretion, finds good cause to extend_ the compliance deadlines.
D. Administrative Citations. If the respondent fails to correct the violation by the
compliance date, the department shall issue an administrative 'citation and fine.
The citation shall include a description of the administrative citation appeal
process, including the designated hearing officer, the time within which the
administrative citation may be contested, and instructions for requesting a
hearing.
E. Amount of Fine. The amount of the administrative fine for each violation of this
chapter shall be as follows: _
1. For a first violation, the amount of the base penalty shall be $50 to $100
per violation.
2. For a second violation, the amount of the base penalty shall be $100 to
$200 per violation.
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page35
3. For a third or subsequent violation, the amount of the base penalty shall
be $250 to $500 per violation.
F. Factors Considered in Determining Penalty Amount. The following factors shall
be used to determine the amount of the penalty for each violation within the
appropriate penalty range:
1. The nature, circumstances, and severity of the violation(s).
_ 2. _ Theviolator's ability to pay. __
3. The willfulness of the violator's misconduct:
4. Whether the violator took measures to avoid or mitigate violations of this
· chapter.
5. Evidence of any economic benefit resulting from the violation(s).
6. The deterrent effect of the penalty on the violator.
7. Whether the violation(s) were due to conditions outside the control of the
violator.
G. Appeals. Persons receiving an administrative citation for an uncorrected
violation may request a hearing to appeal the citation. The City will designate a
hearing officer who shall conduct the hearing and issue a final written order. The
hearing officer may be a City official or another public agency designated by the ·
City. The hearing officer shall be identified in the administrative citation. A
hearing will be held only if it is requested within fifteen (15) days from the date
of the notice of the administrative citation.
H. Other Remedies. Other remedies allowed by law may be used to enforce this
chapter, including· civil action or criminal prosecution as misdemeanor or
infraction. The department and/or City may pursue civil actions in the California
courts to seek recovery of unpaid administrative citations. The department may
choose to delay court action until such time as court action is a r~asonable use of
staff and resources.
I. Education Period for Non-Compliance. Beginning January 1, 2022, and through
December 31, 2023, the department and/or designee will conduct inspections and
compliance reviews. If the department and/or designee determines that a tier one
commercial edible food generator, food recovery organization, food recovery
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21~2231
Page 36
. .
service, or other entity is not in compliance with Section 6.24.038 of this code, it
shall provide educational materials to the entity describing its obligations ·under
Section 6.24.038 of this code and a notice that compliance is required. It shall also
provide notice that violations may be subject to administrative civil penalties
starting on January 1, 2024.
§.~£it!Q:Nt~~·~~~~NPMifiID:§J?f§jL~,~~g:tI<:?8.;~~~~;Q~Q;g:gN.~~liN!~~;~fij§
METHOD OF GARBAGE, ORGANIC WASTE, AND NON-ORGANIC
RECYCLABLES DISPOSAL
6.24.060 Method of Garbage, Organic Waste and Non-Organic Recyclables Disposal.
All garbage, organic waste and non-organic recyclables subject to solid waste collection
service shall be disposed of by delivery of the appropriateeaeh container to an authorized
collection station, located as to be readily accessible for the removal and emptying of its
contents by the solid waste collector. Recyclables and organic vv=aste may be disposed of
as set forth in Section 6.24.200 .
. (<l ., :. c·,:,•,·,·, . i .'-. . _ '<,· .'.' -: ·',, · ·:.;;-'; · :.-i;;.';c· ,;c,,-;'; <<·~::-;C:(;'\,t,f' ;F;. ·. 1~ f·,1f ~·::-~_>,-~ff..'" "·. ,:.'. '. .:; • --;', ''.: . . . ,-··;·-. ·· .... ; '.. ·:•: -'>:' :. ', , !,'.. .. ;··/}. --· c··_:: ·,:1
SEC:TION (i! ;1\:1\1.ENPM~NtE>/:tQ.S~CrnpN 6:24;240 C:ONC:EE.NINGJVIOLATIONS , ";,· .. ','"" ~,,. ~•·,·.· .• -L.,;,.-,, •. ,·,,., .,,c-',-.. : •.••• ,, ..• ,.,. __ ,_c..,,._._.,,.~.•" , .. ' .. •. • _.,. <•, -~"•·' '. •-,.· ,.,.·.•• ,, , . • -
AND PENALTIES
6.24.240 Violation PenaltyMisdemeanor.
The City may address violations of this chapter by issuing administrative citations,
fines, and penalties as set forth in Chapter 1.10 of this code. Alternatively, the City may
. prosecute any violation of this chapter as a misdemeanor, punishable as provided in
· Chapter 1.12 of this Code,,A.,ny pernon Vw;ho violates any provision of this chapter shall
be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished as provided
in Chapters 1.10 and 1.12 of this code.
sgct10N 1:,~ME1'iriM€l'irrs;:to:sEcTioN 9.i6.o3o coNcERNfNc fifiYsicAIJ :SPACtW.AIVEkS . '.' . ,. . ... ' .. ',. .•·. •, ·' . . · .. ·· . . . . ' . .' ' ... , .. ·· . , .. '
. , ' ... -.--·, ; ··-·.· .. -.. ·!
9.16.030 Applicability of Regulations.
A. The site development regulations prescribed in Section 9.16~040 of this code shall
apply to all businesses, business structures and project sites which are subject to
City review and approval for improvements, changes or modifications.
B. The City may exempt business structures, owners and/or project applicants
from the obligation to comply with some or all of the requirements of this
chapter and Chapter 6.24 of this code following the waiver procedures provided
Mandatory Organic; Waste Disposal Reduction
Ordinance No. 21-2231
Page37
in Section 6.24.037.030 of this code.The request for an e)(emption from mandated
organic ,,vaste recycling due to inadequate recycling area enclosure space may be
submitted to the Director .. The Director shaH reviev.r the quantity and size of
various solid 'Naste containers that are neeessary to meet the requirements of this
Chapter and Chapter 6.24. Business structures, owners and/or project applicants
that are granted an exemption are required to increase coHection frequency to the
maximum e)(tent available from the solid vmste coHector if current container size
and quantity e)(Ceed available space vnthin the recycling area enclosure.
·,
Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction
ORD 21-2231, Mandatory Organic Waste
Disposal Reduction
Final Audit Report 2021-10-27
Created: 2021-10-27
By: Araceli Alejandre (aracefia@cupertino .org)
Status : Signed
Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAFF3qWz_z0HnvPoy2Z5VR8jKC9kW4Kzc
"ORD 21-2231, Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction''
History
~ Document created by Araceli Alejandre (aracelia@cupertino.org)
20 21-10-27 -4 :46 :52 PM GMT-IP address : 73 .170.27 .253
g Document emailed to Christopher Jensen (chrisj@cupertino.org) for signature
2021 -10-27-4:48 :18 PM GMT
~ Email viewed by Christopher Jensen (chrisj@cupertino.org)
2021-10-27 -4 :57 :45 PM GMT-IP address : 104.47 .73 .254
~ Document e-signed by Christopher Jensen (chrisj@cupertino .org)
Signature Date : 20 21-10-27 -4 :58:03 PM GMT -Time Source : server-IP address : 136.24.42 .21 2
0 Agreement completed.
2021-10-27 -4 :58 :03 PM GMT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA )
CITY OF CUPERTINO )
I , KIRSTEN SQUARCIA, City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk of the
City Council of the City of Cupertino, California, do hereby certify the
attached to be a true and correct copy of Ordinance No. 21-2231 which
was enacted on October 19 , 2021 , and that it has been published or posted
pursuant to law (G.C. 40806).
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , I have hereunto set my hand and seal
this ..S-day of ;J-.)V?fA-1. w 2021.
KIRSTEN SQUARCIA , City Clerk and Ex-officio Clerk
of the City Council of the City of Cupertino, California