SB 1383 Organic Waste Disposal

Short Lived Climate Pollutants Regulation - Senate Bill (SB) 1383

New statewide organic waste regulations (SB 1383) became effective January 1, 2022 in California. As the most aggressive waste reduction law to be adopted in California for the past 30 years, SB 1383 expands upon the requirements of AB 341 Mandatory Commercial Recycling and AB 1826 Mandatory Commercial Organics . However, SB 1383 is unique in that it impacts residents in addition to businesses, and it requires some businesses to donate excess edible food to feed people in need, in addition to diverting organic materials from the garbage.

All residents and businesses are required to not only subscribe, but also fully participate in, the three-container system of garbage, recycling, and organic waste (also known as compost). To learn more about how to participate properly, and avoid the possibility of being fined for placing materials in the wrong container, check out these helpful guides and flyers from Mount Diablo Resource Recovery that demonstrate what items are allowed in each container. Commercial businesses, including landscapers, that wish to self-haul their organic waste are required to separate food waste and landscaping materials from garbage. They are also required to keep records. To assist self-haulers with recordkeeping, CalRecycle has developed a tool that can be downloaded at this link. 

The City of Rio Vista is currently collaborating with CalRecycle, Mount Diablo Resource Recovery, and local food generators and recovery organizations to comply with SB 1383 and adopt the necessary strategies to implement organics recycling and food recovery programs.

Why is this important?

From increased forest fires to worsening drought and rising sea levels, California is already facing the vast dangers of climate change. In response, the state is aiming to reduce the emission of super-pollutants by implementing statewide organic waste recycling and surplus food recovery. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change, is emitted into the atmosphere when compostable materials like food, paper, and yard waste are buried in landfills instead of composted or recycled. Organic materials in landfills emit 20% of the state’s methane, a climate super pollutant, 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Everyone can do their part to reduce these harmful emissions by properly participating in the required 3 container collection service.

Environmental Benefits of Composting

Reduce Methane Emissions

• Landfills are a major source of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, which is generated when organics decompose in landfills.
• Composting organics greatly reduces the amount of methane that would have been generated from landfilling organics.
• The use of compost also has numerous environmental benefits, including carbon storage, water conservation, and contributes to the reduced use of energy-intensive pesticides and fertilizers.

Backyard Composting

 Another way to curb your emissions is to compost on-site, or in your backyard. There are many benefits to backyard composting, including:

1. Reduced emissions associated with transporting organics to an industrial site, and
2. Homemade compost that can be used to nourish your garden.

Methods for Food Waste Prevention

There are still things that we all can do as individuals or businesses to help make a difference – such as preventing food waste or taking steps to keep food waste and other organic materials out of our landfills. Find tips for more purposeful shopping and cooking, and good food storage techniques here . Composting at home is also a great option.

Edible Food

Edible food is defined as food that is safe for human consumption. SB 1383 includes goals to get more edible food that would have otherwise been landfilled, to humans for consumption.

SB 1383 regulates two “tiers” of commercial businesses that generate edible food.  Beginning January 1, 2022, Tier 1 generators must arrange for recovery of surplus edible food by establishing a contract or written agreement with a food recovery organization(s) or service. Beginning January 1, 2024, Tier 2 generators will be required to do the same.

Tier 1 Commercial Edible Food Generators

• Supermarkets;
• Grocery stores with a total facility size equal to or greater than 10,000 square feet;
• Food service providers;
• Food distributors; and
• Wholesale food vendors.

Tier 2 Commercial Edible Food Generators

• Restaurants with 250 or more seats, or a total facility size equal to or greater than 5,000 square feet;
• Hotels with an on‐site food facility and 200 or more rooms;
• Health facilities with an on‐site food facility and 100 or more beds;
• Large venues;
• Large events;
• State agencies with a cafeteria with 250 or more seats or total cafeteria facility size equal to or greater than 5,000 square feet; and
• Local education agency facilities with an on‐site food facility.

To learn more about how your business can comply with SB 1383 edible food recovery and donation, check out this brochure from Solano County.

Commercial Edible Food Generator Requirements

• Recover the maximum amount possible of surplus edible food generated  
• Partner with one or more food recovery organizations or services to pick up or receive surplus edible food
• Have a written contract or agreement with the food recovery organization(s) or service(s).  Visit the County’s website (under Recordkeeping Documents) to find a template food recovery agreement and other resources to assist your business with compliance
• Safely recover edible food in accordance with the California Retail Food Code
• Track and maintain records of food recovered each month including type, frequency of collection and amounts in pounds
• Allow the County as the Enforcement Agency to review records upon request