The Law
In 2016, Senate Bill 1383 was signed into law to combat climate change and reduce landfill methane emissions. Methane is a climate super pollutant, 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Organics like food scraps, yard trimmings, paper and cardboard currently make up 50% of what Californians dump in landfills. Diverting organic waste to recycling can significantly reduce these local air quality emissions. The goal was to reduce organic waste disposal 50% by 2020 and 75% by 2025.
What Does It Mean?
This law requires your waste hauler to collect your organic waste, including food waste, and dispose of it in a more sustainable manner, instead of simply taking it to the landfill.
What Is Organic Waste?
Organic waste includes food waste (vegetable and fruit scraps, eggshells, and meat—anything you eat and any byproduct of your meal), food soiled paper (napkins, paper plates, paper containers, pizza boxes, coffee filters) and green material (landscaping, pruning waste, sticks, leaves, wood).
Who Is Affected?
Everyone. Residents, multi-family properties, businesses, schools, and public agencies all need to comply with the law and enroll in an organics recycling program.
How Is It Processed?
The law requires a significantly higher level of processing of organic material than current standards. Processors are required to monitor, track and ultimately limit the amount of organic material sent to landfills after processing, requiring additional processing and the development of new systems to remove contaminants and excess organic material that may have previously been sent to the landfill as residue.
Types of Food Waste Items That Can Be Recycled in Your Curbside Organics Cart
- Bread, rice, grains, and pasta
- Bones and shells
- Coffee grounds & tea leaves
- Egg shells
- Floral trimmings
- Fruit and vegetable peelings
- Meat, poultry, fish
- Table scraps
What About Backyard Composting?
Home composting is an effective and efficient way to dramatically reduce your waste stream at home, while doing your part to reduce your carbon footprint.Many types of food waste and yard waste can be composted at home, including grass clippings, tree and shrub trimmings, vegetable garden and fruit tree waste, lawn clippings, autumn leaves, coffee grounds, and fruit and vegetable scraps from the kitchen. To learn more, visit this site.
For specific organics recycling programs in your community, please contact your city, county, and/or waste hauler. For general information about California’s organics waste programs, visit this site.