Background
OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) is responsible for administering Orange County’s Disposal and Recycling System for planning long-term disposal capacity. The Department is tasked with implementing a county-wide integrated waste management plan. This includes oversight and management of 20 closed and three active landfills, as well as planning for material recovery and recycling facilities to help preserve landfill capacity. The diversion and compliance requirements are extensive and governed by several key regulations in California.
The County of Orange has nine Franchise Areas which are currently serviced by three companies. Two of the Franchise Areas are split into two – Area 5 and Area 7. This results in 11 different areas. The County’s nine areas are also serviced by three companies, which provide additional services not covered under the Exclusive Franchise Agreements through a Non-Exclusive Agreement with the County. To review the current Franchise Agreement, visit https://oclandfills.com/franchise-agreements.
Under AB 939, landfill operators must support jurisdictions in achieving a 50% diversion rate by reducing divertible materials, including organics, accepted for disposal. OCWR is required to report incoming waste volumes and types (PRC § 41821.5), implement waste screening to reject recoverable organics and recyclables (14 CCR § 18984.9), and support infrastructure for landfill diversion (SB 1383; 14 CCR § 18983.1).
Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) mandates a 75% reduction in organic waste disposal by 2025, and landfill operators must comply with regulations affecting solid waste facilities, such as measuring and reporting organic waste disposal (Title 14, CCR, Section 18983.1). As required, OCWR discontinued the activities of using organic material as the landfill alternative daily cover (ADC) effective January 1, 2020. Compliance with the various regulations is essential to achieving the state's diversion goals and reducing methane emissions. Failure to comply may result in administrative penalties, compliance orders, and reputational risk.
OCWR is structured as an enterprise fund and is primarily supported by revenues from waste management gate fees charged to customers. OC Waste & Recycling receives no tax revenues or County General Fund contributions to support its operations.
Although landfilling remains an essential public service, the State’s disposal requirements have forced the OCWR business model to evolve along with the changing environmental landscape, landfill diversion mandates, and lack of local recycling infrastructure to support new legislation requirements from SB 1383.
WISE Agreement: Preparing for a Sustainable Future
For decades, Orange County jurisdictions have benefited from Waste Disposal Agreements (WDAs) that ensure essential public services such as reasonable rates, disposal guarantees, and importation revenue sharing. However, the current WDAs have been extended to June 30, 2026, and OCWR is transitioning to a new Waste Infrastructure System Enterprise (WISE) Agreement.
The 10-year commitment will provide advanced waste disposal services.
The WISE Agreements will consolidate services under one inclusive disposal rate, continue importation revenue sharing, and maintain environmental and indemnification protections, ensuring a seamless transition for jurisdictions while supporting the needs of Orange County residents and businesses.
OCWR WDA for WISE
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