Sacramento businesses are being told to get greener - or else.
The Sacramento County Environmental Management Department has begun issuing enforcement orders to businesses not complying with a new recycling ordinance.
Violators face fines of up to $1,000 per day for each violation, although lower amounts are being assessed, according to a county news release.
The first two enforcement orders were sent to businesses in the Sacramento Regional Solid Waste Authority's jurisdiction last week, and others are anticipated to be issued this week, the release states.
The recycling order, adopted in April 2007, applies throughout the waste authority's jurisdiction, including unincorporated Sacramento County and the city of Sacramento.
Under the ordinance, all businesses and non-residential properties that subscribe to garbage service of four cubic yards or more each week are required to have a recycling program, the department's Web site states.
According to Dennis Green, the department's hazardous materials division chief, his agency is the first jurisdiction in the western states to issue mandatory business recycling requirements, the release states.
More than 2,000 inspections and 38,000 educational documents in support of the program have been distributed since August.
Waste haulers report the number of recycling service accounts have increased 35 percent and total tonnage of recyclable materials has grown 22 percent over the past 12 months, the release states.
Enforcement orders will only be issued to businesses that continue to violate the ordinance's requirements after two inspections and after they are notified that they might be fined.
The department anticipates settlements will be used to resolve violations, but appeal hearings with the state office of Administrative Hearings will be held if necessary, the release states.
The county environmental management department has been designated by the waste authority's board to administer the regulatory program.
Call The Bee's Niesha Lofing, (916) 321-1270.
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