Recycling and Trash Collection for Businesses

Effective Feb. 27, 2025: Commercial Rate Adjustment

Following the City's approval of an amended agreement with waste collection and recycling company Athens Services, rates have increased for commercial consumers. The amended agreement is to ensure compliance with Senate Bill 1383, a California law that requires the recycling of organic waste to reduce methane emissions. This resulted in the transition to a new and more expensive service delivery model. For more information on this change and SB 1383, view our FAQ section at the bottom of this page. 

Commercial Recycling

With the passage of Assembly Bill 341 (AB341), businesses and public entities that generate four (4) or more cubic yards of waste per week and multi-family units of five (5) or more are required to participate in a recycling program. The purpose of the new State law is to reduce greenhouse emissions by diverting commercial solid waste from landfills and expand opportunities for recycling in California.

The City of Cerritos and its exclusive franchise waste (and recycling) hauler, Athens Services, make it convenient for businesses and multi-family complexes to meet the requirements of AB341. Many businesses in Cerritos participate in the City's mixed waste processing program in which Athens Services processes solid waste to recover recyclables. Many more businesses have taken a more active role by setting up an on-site source separation program with the assistance of Athens Services.

To find out more information on commercial recycling, please contact the Public Works Department (562) 916-1220.

Organics Waste Recycling

The Cerritos organics waste recycling program was implemented in response to Senate Bill (SB) 1383, California’s Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy. SB 1383 aims to reduce methane and other greenhouse gas emissions statewide.

SB 1383 requires all businesses, schools, multi-family complexes, and single-family home residents to subscribe to an organic waste collection service and separate into their green organic waste container all of their green waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper (100% fiber-based).

For additional information on organic waste recycling and what items are considered acceptable organic waste, please visit the Athens Services website.

For more information on trash collection, or on the citywide recycling program, call the Public Works Department at (562) 916-1220 to request a brochure or Athens Services at (833) 791-2376.

Additional valuable information about recycling and other environmental programs can be found by visiting the CalRecycle website.

Featured Links

Athens Services Website

CalRecycle Website

Frequently Asked Questions on SB 1383

The rate adjustment is due to the City Council's approval of Amendment Two to the waste management agreement with Athens Services, which introduces new programs and services required to comply with SB 1383, a state law aimed at reducing methane emissions through organic waste recycling.  This change is necessary because, starting January 1, 2025, there are no CalRecycle-compliant, high-diversion material recovery facilities available in California, requiring the City to implement a more costly three-stream waste collection system to meet state regulations.

View the February 27, 2025, City Council Meeting Agenda Report and Athens Amendment Two Agreement.

The new “bundled” commercial rate (for a 3-yard garbage bin, a 1-yard recycle bin, and an organics cart once per week) is $370.31.

The full rate exhibit of the new rates is here.

Despite the added services and increased costs associated with SB 1383 compliance, the new rates in Cerritos remain competitive and are within the average range for our region.

View the February 27, 2025, City Council Meeting Agenda Report and Athens Amendment Two Agreement.

For more information, please contact the Public Works Department at (562) 916-1220.

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