CALGreen Code Section 5.410.1: Recycling by occupants.
Provide readily accessible areas that serve the entire building and are identified for the depositing, storage and collection of non-hazardous materials for recycling, including (at a minimum) paper, corrugated cardboard, glass, plastics, organic waste, and metals, or meet a lawfully enacted local recycling ordinance, if more restrictive.
Exception: Rural jurisdictions that meet and apply for the exemption in Public Resources Code 42649.82 (a)(2)(A) et seq. shall also be exempt from the organic waste portion of this section.
CALGreen Code Section 5.410.1.1: Additions.
All additions conducted within a 12-month period under single or multiple permits, resulting in an increase of 30-percent or more in floor area, shall provide recycling areas on site.
Exception: Additions within a tenant space resulting in less than a 30-percent increase in the tenant space floor area.
CALGreen Code Section 5.410.1.2: Sample ordinance.
Space allocation for recycling areas shall comply with Chapter 18, Part 3, Division 30 of the Public Resources Code. Chapter 18 is known as the California Solid Waste Reuse and Recycling Access Act of 1991 (Act).
Note: A sample ordinance for use by local agencies may be found in Appendix A of the document at the CalRecycle’s web site.
Intent:
The intent of this code requirement is to support the existing law to provide areas for recycling by occupants, including collection and loading of recyclable materials. The law requires a model ordinance in the Public Resources Code, Chapter 18, Part 3, Division 30. Chapter 18 is known as the California Solid Waste Reuse and Recycling Access Act of 1991 (Act).
Compliance Method:
For additions, determine if the code provision is applicable. If so, then:
1. Determine if a local recycling ordinance is in place in the jurisdiction and comply, if more stringent. If no ordinance, then use the model recycling ordinance.
2. In the absence of a local ordinance comply with the requirement of the sample ordinance.
3. For additions that increase floor area by 30 percent or more comply with either item 1 or 2.
4. Indicate the selected method of compliance on the construction documents.
5. Where feasible, recycling areas should be located adjacent to solid waste collection areas.
Note: A sample ordinance for use by local agencies may be found in Appendix A of the document at the CalRecycle website.
Enforcement:
Plan intake: The plan reviewer should confirm that the appropriate recycling areas and signage for those areas have been provided on the construction documents.
On-site enforcement: The inspector should verify the recycling areas and signage are allocated and installed.
(Excerpted from ‘Guide to the 2019 California Green Building Standards Code Nonresidential’ – Chapter 5)
