Notice of Violation

This is a warning before a citation is issued. Action is required before the due date to avoid a fine.

There are two categories of violations. Review your letter or inspection report to determine the violation(s) received and due date, and select the corresponding violation(s) below for the necessary steps to avoid a fine:

Composting and Recycling Service Violations:

Failure to have compost and/or recycling collection service
Unavailable collection containers or insufficient service

Edible Food Recovery Violations:

Failure to have a written agreement with a Food Recovery Organization (FRO) or Food Recovery Service (FRS)
Failure to have food donation records
Failure to donate the maximum amount of edible food

If your letter lists multiple violations, you must resolve each violation and provide the necessary documentation to avoid a citation and fine. Contact us if you have questions about how to resolve your notice of violation.

NOTE: Fine amounts increase to up to $500 per violation and will continue every 60 days for continued noncompliance.

Composting & Recycling Violations

Failure to have compost and/or recycling collection service:

Step 1: Subscribe to compost (organics) and/or recycling collection service at your location. Find your service provider here.
Step 2: Use this form to submit proof that the service was obtained.
You will need to provide a copy of a recent bill or account statement to show proof that your site has the required compost and recycling collection service (screenshots or photos of statements are acceptable). If you don’t yet have a bill or account statement showing the new service, you may provide a confirmation email from your provider, or any other proof showing the ordered service.

Do you qualify for a waiver? You may qualify for a waiver of the compost and recycling collection requirements if you generate only minimal amounts of compostable or recyclable materials or lack the necessary physical space for containers. Learn more and apply here.

Unavailable collection containers or insufficient service:

Step 1: Supply collection containers that provide adequate access and capacity to collect all recyclable and/or compostable materials from employees, contractors, tenants, and customers (as applicable).
Step 2: Submit proof using this form to show actions taken to provide accessible and sufficient containers.

Edible Food Recovery Violations

Failure to have a written agreement with a Food Recovery Organization (FRO) or Food Recovery Service (FRS)

Step 1: Secure a written contract or agreement with at least one FRO/FRS (directory available here),
or:
if the site does not generate any surplus edible food to donate to a FRO/FRS, create a record to describe direct distribution to end recipients or staff and/or food waste prevention practices (such as: a description of practices utilized in normal operations to minimize surplus food from being generated, or an employee donation policy).
Step 2: Use this form to submit proof of the written agreement or other records.

Note: Waivers are not available for edible food recovery requirements. If you do not generate enough surplus edible food to donate, you must provide additional documentation using the form linked in step 2.

Failure to have food donation records

Step 1: Maintain monthly records of types of food donated, frequency of donations, and pounds of food donated to a Food Recovery Organization or Food Recovery Service (FRO/FRS). Records must specify each receiving FRO/FRS and contact information.
Step 2: Use this form to submit proof of recent monthly food donation records.

Failure to donate the maximum amount of edible food

Step 1: Donate all surplus edible food. Safely manage and properly store all surplus edible food so that it does not spoil before being donated. Compost and landfill containers must not contain edible food.
Step 2: Use this form to submit proof of monthly food donation records.