SB 1383: Organics Waste Disposal

Understanding SB 1383

Starting Jan. 1, 2022, the State of California requires all municipalities to process organic waste - including kitchen scraps - and to provide collection services to all residents and businesses.

Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) - which was signed into law in 2016 - requires those organic waste materials to be recycled using anaerobic digestion facilities that create biofuel and electricity, or at composting facilities that make soil amendments.

Some food service businesses are now also required to donate edible food to food recovery organizations with others starting in 2024.

In addition, SB 1383 establishes statewide targets to reduce the amount of organic waste disposed of in landfills (50% reduction by 2020 and 75% by 2025). It also sets a goal to rescue at least 20% of currently disposed edible food by 2025 and redirect that food to people in need.

Residential Waste Customers

Organic waste from residential customers should be disposed of in the green cart also used for yard and other green waste. Organic waste should not be included with other trash items thrown in the tan, black or gray cart.

Organic waste that should be separated out from trash and placed into the green cart includes food items such as fruits, vegetables, cooked meat, bones, fish, soups and small amounts of grease. It also includes food-soiled paper items like paper napkins, pizza boxes and other paper food containers.

Plastic containers number 1-7, however – even if it has organic waste materials on it – should not be disposed of in the green cart. It should still be put in the blue recycling cart.

Business Waste Customers

Organic waste that should be separated out into the green receptacle includes food items such as fruits, vegetables, cooked meat, bones, fish, soups and small amounts of grease. It also includes food-soiled paper items like paper napkins, pizza boxes and other paper food containers.

Businesses that SB 1383 defines as Tier 1 and Tier 2 (defined below) are also required to participate in an edible food recovery program. The City does not directly have an edible food recovery program, but the City will help guide your business to options and enforcement of this practice.

• Tier 1 & Tier 2 Edible Food Generator Definitions
  
  
• Tier 1 (phase is in effect as of January 2022): Examples - Supermarkets, grocery stores (10,000+ sq.ft.) food service provider, food distributor, wholesale food vendor
• Tier 2 (phase is in effect as of January 2024): Examples - Restaurants (250+ seats or 5,000+ sq.ft.), Hotels (onsite food, 200+ rooms), Hospital/health facility (onsite food, 100+ beds), large venues (and events 2000+ attendees per day), state agency (cafeteria 250+ seats or 5,000 sq.ft.), local education facility

Edible Food Recovery Organizations

To reduce food waste and help address food insecurity, SB 1383 requires that California recover 20% of edible food, that would otherwise be sent to landfills, to feed people and communities in need.

SB 1383 requires mandated edible food generators (such as grocery stores, food distributors, wholesale vendors, and schools) to donate their excess edible food to a local food recovery organization or service, which includes but is not limited to – food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, food runners, other non-profits that distribute food to people in need, and for-profit food recovery services.

Food and Other Organic Waste Recycling

The following table lists items that can and cannot be disposed of in your Green Waste cart

• Acceptable Compost Items (PDF)

SB 1383 Non-Compliance Complaint Form

• Optional Non-Compliance Complaint Form to Submit to the City of McFarland