WasteXperts can help your community or company prepare for and comply with California’s SB 1383. What is SB 1383? It is a law that establishes reduction targets for methane emissions. It is part of California’s efforts to reduce emissions of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCP) in order to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. SB 1383 requires businesses that produce organic wastes to reduce their levels of disposal. “Organic waste” includes:
California’s goal is to reduce GHG emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, as established in SB 32. SB 1383 works hand in hand with AB 341, which commits the state to a 75 percent recycling goal, and strengthens AB 1826, which established mandatory commercial organics recycling. SB 1383 requirements far exceeds those of AB 1826, AB 939 (Integrated Waste Management Act (IWMA) of 1989), and AB 341.
California is committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution throughout the state. Organic waste decomposing in landfills is a significant source of GHG emissions that contribute to global climate change. Normally, decomposing organic material gives off carbon dioxide (CO2). But when buried in a landfill and deprived of oxygen, it gives off methane and other volatile organic compounds that are worse GHGs than CO2. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), methane has 21 times more Global Warming Potential than CO2. In addition, organic waste that is high in nitrogen, such as food scraps, manures, and grass clippings, can also produce Nitrous Oxide (N2O) during decomposition, which is nearly 300 times worse than carbon dioxide.
There are several ways to divert organic waste away from the landfill. It basically comes down to reducing it at the source or finding a different use for it. The EPA’s Food Recovery Hierarchy recommends these solutions, in order of most preferred to least preferred:
WasteXperts got into the waste diversion business when we realized we could help companies save money on waste disposal costs while also helping them to comply with the new state and local regulations like SB 1383. We can help your company and/or site setup and execute programs to reduce your organic waste disposal. We’ll start with helping to reduce at the source, then find ways to divert, reuse, or recycle what remains. Contact WasteXperts to discuss your situation and get started on the path to SB 1383 compliance.
Enforcement of SB 1383 and resulting penalties goes into effect January 1, 2022. There are progressively higher requirements each year. January 1, 2020 was set as the milestone for a 50% reduction in the level of statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level. The next target is to reduce those levels further to 75 percent of the 2014 level by 2025.
The rules stipulate that jurisdictions, (county, city, or special districts) that provide solid waste collection services must also provide organic waste collection services to all residents and businesses. These jurisdictions must also educate all residents and businesses about collection requirements. The collection requirements differ according to the type of residence or business. For more information about what is required of a jurisdiction, see the SB 1383 Compliance Process document from CalRecycle, or contact WasteXperts about our consulting services.
For single family homes or small multifamily complexes (less than five units), residents are required to subscribe to and participate in their jurisdiction’s organic curbside recycling service and they are required to properly sort their organic waste. In some jurisdictions, residents will be allowed to self-haul their organic waste according to the jurisdiction’s requirements.
For multifamily complexes of more than five units, complexes are required to subscribe to and participate in their jurisdiction’s organic curbside recycling service OR they can self-haul their organic waste to a composting facility, community composting program, or other collection activity or program according to the jurisdiction’s requirements. The complex manager/owner must also provide organic waste collection services for employees and tenants, they must provide access to an adequate number of properly labeled sorting bins, and they must annually educate employees and tenants about the correct way to sort organic waste. New residents must receive education materials within 14 days of moving in. The law requires residents and employees to properly sort their organic waste into the proper containers.
Businesses, Public Schools and School Districts, State Agencies, Special Districts, and Federal Facilities must comply with many more requirements. Those requirements can be found at this CalRecycle page about New Statewide Mandatory Organic Waste Collection.
WasteXperts provides methods and services to increase a company’s recycling (including organic waste), which is less expensive to haul away than garbage. The increase in recycling reduces the volume of waste going into the garbage bin, lowering the overall cost to haul it away. The additional benefit is ensuring compliance with SB 1383. Please feel free to contact us to discuss our waste consulting services
