Effective January 1, 2022, State law requires all businesses and residents to separate organics and recyclable materials from trash and either subscribe to the required collection services or self-haul organics to an appropriate facility for diversion. It also requires some businesses to donate excess edible food to feed people in addition to starting an organics collection service.

Why is SB 1383 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 is a greenhouse gas that is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide. It is released when organic materials end up in the landfill, where they lack sufficient oxygen to properly decompose. This process causes about 20% of California's methane emissions, with materials such as food scraps, yard trimmings, paper, and cardboard making up about half of the state’s landfills. By tackling organic waste recycling and surplus food recovery, jurisdictions across the state can significantly reduce super-pollutant emissions and combat climate change.

The City of Martinez is currently collaborating with CalRecycle, Republic Services, 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.

Targets

Adopted in 2016, SB 1383 establishes the following targets:

• Organic Waste Disposal: Reduce organic waste in landfills by 50% by 2020 and 75% by 2025.

• Edible Food Recovery: Rescue at least 20% of edible surplus food for people to eat by 2025.

Sorting Guides

Not sure what can go in your organics bin? Check out these helpful posters from Republic Services that demonstrate what items are allowed in each bin. 

Organics Bin

Recycling Bin

Landfill Bin

Edible Food Recovery

According to Feeding America, 108 billion pounds of food, or nearly 40%, is wasted each year in the U.S. To help combat this waste and reduce hunger in our communities, SB 1383 mandates that at least 20% of edible food headed for disposal must instead be recovered and donated by 2025. 

Starting on January 1, 2022, Tier 1 food generators must enter into a contract with a food recovery organization to begin donating unused edible food. By 2024, this requirement will be extended to Tier 2 generators.  

Tier 1 Generators: Supermarkets, Grocery Stores, Food Service Providers, Food Distributors, Wholesale Food Vendors

Tier 2 Generators: Restaurants, Hotels, Health Facilities, Local Education Agencies, Large Events, Large Venues, State Agencies

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

Countywide Food Donation Brochure

 To view a list of local food recovery organizations that are accepting donations from food generators, click the link below:

Local Edible Food Recovery Organizations

Reduce Your Food Waste

The best way you can help curb emissions is by reducing the amount of food wasted. Here are some simply, every-day strategies you and your family can try at home:

1) Take Inventory

Check to see what you already have in your fridge and pantry while you make your grocery list.

 2) First In, First Out

Plan meals based on what has been in your fridge longer and is closer to reaching expiration. 

3) Freeze Leftovers and Extras

If you buy in bulk or have too much of a certain product that you won't use in the near future, freeze it so you can use it later.

Backyard Composting

The second best 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.

The City provides SoilSaver compost bins at a discounted rate of $58. SoilSaver bins have a retail value of $129. Click the link below to learn more. 

Backyard Compost Bins

Compliance

In order to comply with SB 1383, jurisdictions must meet these deadlines:

(Graphic from Republic Services/CalRecycle)

Self-Hauling

Commercial businesses, including landscapers, that wish to self-haul their organic waste are required to source-separate food waste and landscaping from garbage. They are also required to keep records. To assist self-haulers with recordkeeping, CalRecycle has developed a tool that can be downloaded below:

Self-Hauler Recordkeeping Tool

Ordinance

In December 2021, the City of Martinez adopted an ordinance amending Title 8 of the Municipal Code in order to comply with SB 1383.

 View the Ordinance Here

Frequently Asked Questions (from CalRecycle)

Do the regulations require single-family residences and multifamily complexes to subscribe to organics collection and recycle both green waste and food waste beginning January 1, 2022?

Yes, the regulations require jurisdictions to provide organic waste collection services to all single-family and multifamily residences of all sizes and businesses that generate organic waste beginning January 1, 2022.

Yes, single-family and multifamily complexes are required to recycle both green waste and food waste, as well as other organic waste materials, beginning January 1, 2022.

Can residents provide their own containers for organics collection?

Jurisdictions or its designee (like a hauler) must provide containers to the generator. Containers provided by the residents themselves would not comply with the regulations.

How often does a jurisdiction have to inspect commercial edible food generators?(see Title 14, CCR, Article 14 section 18995.1)

Beginning on January 1, 2022, jurisdictions are required to inspect Tier 1 commercial edible food generators and verify they are recovering the maximum amount of edible food possible and are not intentionally spoiling edible food that is recoverable. Inspections should be at a level/rate to adequately determine compliance with the requirements. Tier 1 commercial edible food generators include:

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

On or before January 1, 2024, a jurisdiction is required to inspect Tier 1 and Tier 2 commercial edible food generators for the same requirements. Tier 2 commercial edible food generators include:

• 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 a total cafeteria facility size equal to or greater than 5,000 square feet
• Local education agencies with an on-site food facility

 For more information on SB1383, visit CalRecycle.