New Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) regulations went into effect on January 1, 2022.
This law requires jurisdictions to establish organics recycling services for all residents and businesses, including multi-family complexes.
SB 1383 aims to reduce statewide organic waste disposal by 75% by 2025. When disposed in landfills, organic waste emits:
-20% of California’s methane, a climate super pollutant 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide,
-Air pollutants like PM 2.5, which contributes to health conditions like asthma.
All businesses, multi-family complexes, and residents MUST participate in the established program by subscribing to services for Black, Blue, and Green containers and by separating materials as shown below:
Trash
Pet waste, diapers, empty plastic bags, expanded polystyrene, & other plastic to-go food packaging, disposable gloves & masks, chip bags
Recyclables
Clean & dry metal containers and products, glass bottles & containers, cardboard, paper, newspaper, & plastics #1, #2, & #5
Organics
Food scraps, food-soiled paper, & yard trimmings.
IMPORTANT: Place yard trimmings loosely into the container. Food & food-soiled paper MUST be placed in clear, plastic bags, which will be sorted out and disposed at the processing facility.
How to Comply
All businesses, property owners, and property managers MUST:
Failure to comply may result in enforcement actions and fines!
Does Your Business Make, Sell, or Distribute Edible Food?
SB 1383 requires certain food businesses to donate the maximum amount of edible food they would otherwise dispose, to food recovery organizations.
Find a Food Rescue Agency: Visit bit.ly/LACountyFoodDROP. Use Find a Recycler, then select Food Donation to find an organization to collect food from you.
Tier 1 Businesses/Organizations must begin donating effective January 1, 2022.
Tier 1 includes:
Supermarkets Grocery Stores of ≥ 10,000 sq. ft.,
Food Service Providers Food Distributors Wholesale Food Vendors.
Tier 2 Businesses/Organizations must begin donating by January 1, 2024.
Tier 2 includes:
Local Education Agency with an On-Site Food Facility Restaurants with Facilities ≥ 5,000 sq. ft.,
250+ Seat Hotels with an On-Site Food Facility & 200+ Rooms,
Health Facilities with an On-Site Food Facility & 100+ Beds, Large Venues & Events,
Local Education Agency with an On-Site Food Facility.
Edible Food Must Be Donated
Businesses may not knowingly allow edible food to spoil to avoid donation requirements.
Effective January 1, 2022, the city will commence monitoring activities to ensure compliance.
For More Information on Food Donors & Food Recovery bit.ly/CalRecycleFoodDonors
Think Outside the Black Bin!
The easiest, cheapest, and most sustainable way to manage organic waste is to avoid creating it in the first place.
Here are some simple ways to reduce organic waste at its source: