SB-1383, California’s Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy
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SB-1383 focuses on the elimination of methane gas created by organic materials in landfills and requires that clean streams of organic material be collected and recycled into new end-products like compost or biofuel as well as edible food waste recovery.
For more information About Edible Food Waste Recovery
https://zerowastesonoma.gov/materials/food?locale=en
https://zerowastesonoma.gov/sb1383?locale=en
In short, SB-1383 makes it unlawful to throw food waste in the garbage and imposes requirements on local jurisdictions such as the County of Sonoma, its businesses and residents, and local haulers.
More Information About SB-1383
The State has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve human health, and create clean jobs that support resilient local economies. Implementing the statewide plan under SB 1383 will reduce short-lived, harmful, super pollutants with significant global warming impacts, and is essential to achieving California’s climate goals. Organic waste in landfills emit 20% of the state’s methane, a climate super pollutant 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
Organic waste, such as food scraps, yard trimmings, soiled paper and soiled cardboard, make up half of what Californians send to landfills. In 2016, the State passed SB 1383 which focuses on the reduction of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants and the elimination of methane gas created by organic materials in landfills. From 2016-2020, the California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) worked to further develop these regulations to achieve these goals. SB 1383 affects all California residents, including single-and multi-family homes and commercial. The new regulations were finalized by CalRecycle in November 2020 and take effect in January 2022, making it mandatory to compost organics and including enforcement and penalty provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why Divert Organics from Trash?
A: “When landfilled, organic waste such as leaves, grass, food scraps and agricultural biproducts generate methane, a greenhouse gas 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year timeline. Reducing methane emissions is necessary to avert the worst impacts of climate change.”
In addition to diverting waste from landfills and reducing harmful emissions, finished compost has many environmental benefits as a soil additive, including reducing the need for chemical fertilizers, improving soil water retention, and assisting in erosion control.
Q: What if I already compost at home?
A: You are in compliance with SB-1383 as long as your organics are diverted from disposal.
Q, Do I have to sign up for trash service?
A: No, however generators
are still required to separate and divert their organics and recyclables, which
must be taken to permitted facilities, unless recycled on site. Organics
and recyclables are not to be disposed of in the landfill.
Q: If I do not currently have trash service, how do I sign up if I’m interested?
A: Please visit your local hauler’s website (see below) for contact and rate information.
Recology: (800) 243-0291
Sonoma Garbage: (707) 996-7555
Q: I have trash service now but don’t have a “green” can, how can I get one?
A: Due to supply chain shortages, local hauling services will be phasing in new green waste bins to customers in need over the next two years as more trucks, staff and supplies become available. Please contact your local hauler for more detailed information.
Q: Where can I find information on what I can place in the green bin for composting?
A: Food scraps, plants, soiled paper (coffee filters, pizza boxes, to-go containers, etc.), and tree trimmings. For more information, please visit https://www.recology.com/recology-sonoma-marin/sorting-guides-resources/ for sorting guides and resources.
Q: How much is trash and/or green waste service?
A: New rates (effective April 1, 2022) can be found on your local trash hauler’s website (see below).
Q: What type of materials should go in the blue and green carts?
A: Blue Cart – recyclable plastics, cans, glass, clean paper and cardboard products etc.
Green Cart – yard trimmings, food scraps, food-soiled carboard (pizza box) etc.
For further information call or visit the website of your franchised hauler.