California’s Organic Waste Reduction

SB 1383 Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy

Landfilled food and other organic waste rotting in landfills emits methane climate pollution contributing to California’s hotter summers, more frequent droughts, and more wildfires.

3 MILLION CARS
worth of climate pollution
will be cut
by reaching SB 1383’s
recycling and food rescue targets

SB 1383 Progress

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Feed People and Fight Climate Change

Fight Climate Change by Recycling Organic Waste

To reduce methane pollution and other short-lived climate pollutants, California passed SB 1383 (Lara, 2016).
The law set targets for 2025:

75% less organic waste sent to landfills.
20% of unsold, still-edible food sent to food recovery organizations.

SB 1383 Regulations

The Office of Administrative Law approved SB 1383 regulations.

Landfills Are Third Largest Source of Methane in California

Organic waste in landfills emits:

20% of the state’s methane, a climate super pollutant that heats 84 times more than carbon dioxide.
Air pollutants like PM 2.5, which contributes to health conditions like asthma.

Organics like food scraps, yard trimmings, paper, and cardboard make up half of what Californians dump in landfills.
Cutting short-lived climate pollutants can have the fastest impact on the climate.

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Collections

All jurisdictions need to provide organic waste collection services to all residents and businesses, and recycle organic waste.

Procurement

Procurement requirement information. Jurisdictions must use the products made from the recycled organic material, such as compost and mulch.

Food Recovery

Some food service businesses must donate unsold food to food recovery organizations to help some of the 1 in 5 Californians without enough to eat.

Capacity Planning

Counties must take the lead to plan for needed organic waste recycling and food recovery capacity.

Enforcement

Enforcement provisions support jurisdictions, non-local entities, local education districts, state, and federal facilities.

Recordkeeping

Entities must maintain records used for compliance inspections required by local and state agencies.

Waivers and Exemptions

Waivers and exemptions for qualifying jurisdictions, local education agencies, and non-local entities.

Reporting

Jurisdictions are to report on program implementation. CalRecycle has developed tools to help in meeting requirements.

Complaints

The public can file complaints for lack of recycling services, improper labeling of bins, and other solid waste concerns.

Resources for Implementation

Jurisdictions

Requirements for city, county, and special districts with solid waste collection.

Education and Outreach

CalRecycle offers resources to assist with education and outreach to jurisdictions, residents, and businesses.

Food Donors

Californians throw away 5-6 million tons of food waste every year. SB 1383 requires that businesses donate surplus food instead of throwing it out.

Food Recovery Organizations

SB 1383 links food service businesses with food recovery organizations to get donated food to Californians in need.

Waste Haulers

Each jurisdiction implements organics recycling and other solid waste programs with state minimum standards with local hauler requirements.

Transfer/Processing Facilities and Landfills

Requirements for transfer/processing facilities, landfill operations, and solid waste facility permitting.

Organics Recycling Facilities

Organic waste facilities and operations must measure and report organic waste activity, including composting and anaerobic digestion.

Local Enforcement Agencies (LEAs)

Local enforcement agencies (LEAs) have the primary responsibility to enforce State solid waste facility regulations designed to protect public health and safety and the environment.

Local Education Agencies

Entities not subject to oversight by a jurisdiction must implement new organics recycling infrastructure, including, school districts, chapters, and county office of education.

Non-Local Entities

Required organics recycling rules for non-local entities like state agencies, county fairgrounds, public universities, state parks’ facilities, prisons, federal facilities, and special districts.

Elected Officials

Organic waste reduction rules’ varying impact on local governments.

Related Resources

Reducing Short-Lived Climate Pollutants in California – California Air Resources Board
General Plan Guidelines Update, Completed August 2, 2017 – California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR)
- The California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) completed the first comprehensive update to the General Plan Guidelines (GPG) since 2003. One of the major changes includes an expanded section addressing the need for additional recycling, anaerobic digestion, composting, and remanufacturing facilities in the land use element.