Ordinance Overview

Waiver Application

The Organics Reduction and Recycling Ordinance (ORRO) requires that all Alameda County accounts subscribe to compost and recycling collection service, unless they have an approved waiver or an approved alternative service (such as back-haul, self-haul, shared service, or third-party service provider). Sites with an approved waiver will not be required to subscribe to recycling and/or compost service (or divert those materials from the landfill) for a 5-year period.

There are two types of waivers offered for commercial business generators in Alameda County:

1. Minimal generation waivers (De minimis) – for businesses that generate a minimal amount of compostable/organic waste (food scraps, food-soiled paper, and plant debris) or recyclables. There are two thresholds for qualifying, depending on the amount of waste your business* generates:

*Amount of waste your business generates** (garbage and recycling combined)	Threshold to Qualify for a Minimal Generation Waiver
Less than 2 cubic yards** of total weekly service	Generate no more than 10 gallons of compostable/organic waste or recyclables per week
2 or more cubic yards** of total weekly service	Generate no more than 20 gallons of compostable/organic waste or recyclables per week

*Note: Multifamily properties are not eligible for minimal generation waivers.

**There are 200 gallons in a cubic yard. If you have rolling carts for service, divide the total gallons of your carts by 200 to convert to yards. Example: (1) 96 gallon garbage cart = 0.48 cubic yard of garbage.

2. Physical space waivers – when there are physical space constraints that prohibit the addition of recycling or compost containers. Both businesses and multifamily properties are eligible to apply.

Complete the form below if you believe your site may qualify for a waiver of the requirement to subscribe to compost or recycling collection service.

Certification of Recycling Service (CRS)
If you have an alternative arrangement for recycling and/or compost collection service, and rather than subscribe to the service from your garbage provider, you instead self-haul, back-haul, share service with a neighboring business, or use a third-party recycler, please click here to request a Certification of Recycling Service (CRS). Do not complete the Waiver Application.

Enforcement
Accounts that do not have recycling and compost/organics collection service through their garbage service provider, and do not have an approved waiver or CRS on file, are subject to enforcement action and fine, effective January 1, 2022.

If you have any questions about waivers or the rules, you can ask a question with our online form, email rules@stopwaste.org, or call the Ordinance Helpline at (510) 891-6575 to leave a message for a call back.

Site Information

Note: The following waiver application is only for sites located in Alameda County.

Organization Name *

Site Street Address *

City *

Zip Code *

Category that best describes affiliation *

Business Sector *

Number of employees *

Does the location have any of the following onsite? (check all that apply)

How much garbage is generated at the site each week (example: 2 cubic yard bin collected 2x/week = 4 cubic yards), if known?

Does your site share garbage service with other businesses/tenants?

Site Contact

First Name *

Email Address *

Title/role

Last Name *

Phone Number *

Submitter Information

Person Submitting Form *

Waiver Information

This site is requesting a waiver for: *

Type of waiver requested *

Briefly explain reason waiver is requested

Please upload documentation relevant to your waiver request. Documentation may include:

Minimal Generation Waivers

Physical Space Waivers

Explanation of why business may qualify for a minimal generation waiver, including types of materials generally disposed in garbage and/or why business does not produce a significant quantity of organics (food scraps, food soiled paper, plant debris) and/or recycling based on which service the site is requesting a waiver for.

Photo(s) of contents of the garbage container, with bags opened and contents displayed.

Photos of the space or enclosure showing the limitations that prevent the site from adding the required service.

Information or correspondence from the garbage/recycling hauler and/or city staff about the lack of adequate space to add recycling or compost/organics collection.

Letter and/or drawings from licensed architect or engineer.

Explanation of why decreasing size of garbage and/or recycling containers to accommodate the smallest cart of compost/organics collection service is not an option.

Documentation file upload

Drop file here to upload

Electronic Signature

I certify under the laws of the State of California that the information provided on this form is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand this information may be verified by an on-site visit or other investigation and is up for review at least once every 5 years. I hereby authorize the StopWaste/Alameda County Waste Management Authority or their designee to inspect the Service Address listed or otherwise investigate the above for the purpose of determining compliance with the Organics Reduction and Recycling Ordinance.

Please enter your full name in the box below *