A new California State law, SB 1383 [1], aims to keep food and other compostable materials (“organics”) out of landfills to reduce emissions that contribute to climate change. Under the law:
- Edible food currently thrown away must be recovered and donated for people to eat,
- The remaining organics must be collected for composting,
- Recyclables must also be kept out of landfills.
Starting January 2022, SB 1383 regulations will be implemented in Alameda County under the Organics Reduction & Recycling Ordinance through a partnership among Alameda County jurisdictions, garbage service providers, StopWaste, and the Alameda County Environmental Health Departments. Read the full text of the Ordinance [2].
The new law affects all generators of organic waste, including:
- Businesses, institutions, and non-profit organizations
- Multifamily property owners or managers of buildings with 5 or more units
- Residents in single-family homes, apartments, and condos
- Schools (public and private)
- Government agencies, such as state agencies and park districts
What does this mean for my business, institution, or multifamily property?
Your site must:
- Subscribe to curbside compost and recycling collection service in addition to garbage*
- Place color-coded and labeled compost and recycling containers next to all indoor garbage containers (excluding restrooms)
- Sort materials into the proper bins.
- Compost: Food scraps, compostable paper, and plant waste
- Recycling: Cardboard, paper, bottles, and cans
- Do not place garbage into the compost or recycling bins
- Educate employees, contractors, tenants, and students about the law at least annually
- Commercial properties: Periodically inspect bins and provide feedback to employees and contractors about incorrectly placed items
- Residential & commercial property managers: Inform tenants no later than 14 days after move-in and at least 14 days prior to move-out about the rules
- Some businesses that generate surplus edible food—such as grocery stores, food distributors, and large restaurants—must have a written agreement with a food recovery organization or service to donate edible surplus food to feed people. See “Food recovery & donation information” below.
*Don’t have compost or recycling collection service?
You must either:
- Order service from your collection service provider
- Upload documentation of shared service, back-hauling, or self-hauling of materials
- Apply for a waiver for organics collection
For more information about these new rules and to take action [3], visit StopWaste.org [4], who is the source of the information in this article.