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 online 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 online form to show actions taken to provide accessible and sufficient containers.
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.
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. Find a donation partner here, and download an agreement template here.
or:
if the site does not generate any surplus edible food to donate to a FRO/FRS, download and complete this alternative compliance form to describe in writing the site's practices that result in no edible surplus food generated, and/or alternative surplus food donation methods. - Step 2: Use this online form to submit a copy of the written agreement(s), a copy of the completed alternative compliance form or other documentation of compliance practices (e.g. an employee donation policy).
Note: Waivers are not available for edible food recovery requirements. If you do not generate enough surplus edible food to donate, download and complete this alternative compliance form, then submit a copy using the online 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. Download a printable food donation log here.
- Step 2: Use this online form to submit proof of recent monthly food donation records.
Note: Waivers are not available for edible food recovery requirements. If you do not generate enough surplus edible food to donate, download and complete this alternative compliance form, then submit a copy using the online form linked in step 2.
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 online form to submit proof of recent monthly food donation records. Download a printable food donation log here.
Note: Waivers are not available for edible food recovery requirements. If you do not generate enough surplus edible food to donate, download and complete this alternative compliance form, then submit a copy using the online form linked in step 2.
