A handful of business owners learned about a Merced County effort to start businesses toward the mandatory commercial recycling measure to go into effect next year.</p><p>The commercial sector is responsible for at least 68 percent of all trash within California, much of it potentially recyclable, according to the California Department of Recycling Resources and Recovery, or CalRecycle. Commercial businesses, multifamily complexes and public entities that generate four or more cubic yards of trash per week will be required to implement recycling programs in 2012. </p><p>Kathy Ballard, owner of Baskin-Robbins, said she tried recycling before on her own, but it was too costly. </p><p>Under the new effort by Allied Waste Services, Ballard said she could benefit. "I will be able to reduce the size of my garbage bin, so it would actually save me money," Ballard said. "I will try it."</p><p>The feasibility of the program, Ballard said, depends on how much time her employees have to sort and condense trash and recyclables. </p><p>"By calling it 'mandatory,' it's a deceiving name," said Nikki Tuft, a recycling representative for Allied Waste.</p><p>Commercial recycling is mandatory as of July 1, 2012, but Allied Waste's program is something of a baby-step toward it.</p><p>The program is voluntary in the city of Los Banos, Tuft said. The Air Resource Board, CalRecycle and the state are pushing business owners to do "something," she said.</p><p>Business owners who are collecting recyclable cans and bottles in a barrel or recycling shredded paper, cardboard or green waste are already complying, Tuft said. </p><p>The water, sewer and garbage rate increase adopted in August by the Los Banos City Council included rates for commercial recyclable containers. Before that, Allied Waste only offered pickup for 96-gallon carts, like those at private homes. </p><p>There are no businesses using commercial recyclable bins in the program. </p><p>"I have to get at least 40 businesses to participate in that program before it justifies sending a truck just for that purpose," Tuft said. </p><p>Each business is different, Tuft said, but the program could be a money saver for some. Businesses throwing out cardboard boxes could save money by sorting the boxes and flattening them, reducing the amount they pay on trash pickup. </p><p>Tuft said Allied Waste charges per lift. </p><p>Mayor Mike Villalta said he already does some recycling at his business, The Frame Shop, and plans to implement more. He was supportive of Allied Waste's program. </p><p>"It's going to help reduce the load in our city dump," Villalta said. </p><p>He said he's waiting for more information to decide how to promote the program in Los Banos. </p><p>"I think it's a great idea," Villalta said.</p><p>Also going into effect next year is Assembly Bill 818, the Renter's Right to Recycle Act, which will require the owner of dwellings with five or more units to provide adequate recycling containers.</p><p>Enterprise reporter Thaddeus Miller can be reached at (209) 388-6562 or by email at tmiller@losbanos</p><p>enterprise.com.