Senate Bill (SB) 1383 was signed into California law in 2016 as part of the State’s broader effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. SB 1383 requires the State to reduce organic waste disposal by 75% by 2025. Currently, organics comprise two-thirds of the waste disposed of in California landfills. Organic waste includes lawn and landscaping debris, wood and lumber, food, and fibers, such as paper and cardboard. The law also requires the state to increase edible food recovery by 20% by 2025. The goal of SB 1383 is to reduce methane emissions at landfills. Methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, is produced when organics break down in landfills. Landfills are the third-largest emitter of methane in the State of California. The SB 1383 regulations go into effect on January 1, 2022.
Meeting the requirements of SB 1383 will require the coordinated efforts of state and local governments, businesses, and residents. Planning is now underway across California to ensure that the needed programs and services are in place within the next year. These new requirements are going to change the way residents dispose of their solid waste and recyclables. Stay tuned for more information and upcoming changes to your trash and recycling services.
To learn more about SB 1383, please visit CalRecycle at https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/climate/slcp or placentia.org/sb1383.