Senate Bill 1383
Senate Bill 1383; California's Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy
In September 2016, Governor Edmund Brown Jr. set methane emissions reduction targets for California in a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP). This regulation, formally known as Senate Bill 1383 (“SB 1383”), went into effect in 2022 and establishes two main targets:
- Reduce organic waste disposal 75% by 2025.
- Recover at least 20% of currently disposed surplus food for human consumption by 2025.
Why Reduce Organic Waste?
Organic waste, which is any material that is biodegradable and comes from a plant or an animal, produces large amounts of methane when disposed of in a landfill. This significantly contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change. Climate change has many widespread impacts. This includes increased risk of extreme weather events such as stronger hurricanes, droughts, and heatwaves. Climate change can also increase levels of smog, exacerbating asthma and respiratory diseases.
In California, organics like food scraps, yard trimmings, paper and cardboard make up half of what Californians dump in landfills and is the third largest source of methane in the state. Reducing the disposal of these items in landfills will have the fastest impact on the climate crisis. Additionally, organic waste diverted from landfill can be made into nutrient-rich compost, a process that creates jobs and supplies residents with fresh, healthy soil.
Organic Waste Collection Requirements
Beginning in 2022, SB 1383 requires every jurisdiction to provide organic waste collection services to all residents and businesses. Alhambra’s exclusive refuse hauler, Republic Services, is reaching out to all residents and businesses to incorporate green bins to your collection service. These green bins accept organic waste, such as food scraps, yard trimmings, food-soiled paper, and nonhazardous wood waste. Please see the Organics Waste Recycling Program tab for more information on what you can place in your green bin.
If you are a commercial business and believe you generate below a certain amount of organic waste material as pursuant to A.M.C. 6.18.040, you may apply for a de minimis waiver. If you are a commercial business or multi-family residential property owner and believe your property lacks the physical space to accommodate a three-container collection system, you may apply for a physical space waiver. Download and complete a copy of the Organic Waste Recycling Waiver and email it to Republic Services at alhambra@republicservices.com. Representatives from Republic Services and Alhambra City Hall will follow up with an inspection for verification.
Please contact Republic Services for any questions regarding organic waste collection or to set up services at alhambra@republicservices.com or (800) 299-4898.
Food Recovery Requirements
Californians send 11.2 billion pounds of food to landfills each year, some of which was still fresh enough to have been recovered to feed people in need. While billions of meals go to waste, millions of Californians don’t have enough to eat.
The City is working with Republic Services and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments in creating a food recovery program in compliance with SB 1383.
Beginning January 1, 2022, certain types of businesses (labeled as edible food generators) will be required to donate all of their excess edible food to food recovery organizations and services. Tier 1 Businesses are required to donate starting in 2022, and Tier 2 Businesses are required to donate starting in 2024.
All food donations must meet the food safety requirements of the California Retail Food Code. Donations are protected by The Good Samaritan Act and can be used as a tax write-off.
Establishing Contracts and Written Agreements with Food Recovery Organizations and Services
To ensure that the maximum amount of edible food is recovered, the regulations require that mandated food donors establish contracts or written agreements with food recovery organizations and services.
Food recovery organizations and services vary in the amount and types of food they can receive, so mandated food donors may need to establish contracts or written agreements with multiple food recovery organizations and services to be in compliance.
CalRecycle has released a Model Food Recovery Agreement.
Recordkeeping
SB 1383 requires mandated food donors to maintain records of their food donation activities.
The City of Alhambra will monitor compliance of edible food generators by requesting the following types of records during inspections:
- Contract or written agreement for food recovery organizations and services.
- Schedules for food donation deliveries or collections.
- Quantity of food donated in pounds per month.
- Types of food each food recovery organization will receive or collect.
Food recovery organizations and services that have a contract or written agreement with a mandated food donor are required to maintain records of the food they receive from each mandated food donor. This includes:
- The name, address, and contact information for each edible food generator that the organization received edible food from.
- The quantity in pounds of edible food collected from each edible food generator per month.
- The name, address, and contact information for each food recovery service that the organization receives edible food from for food recovery.
Local Food Recovery Organizations & Services
Please contact each agency below directly to establish a written contract or agreement.
Additional food recovery organizations can be found on LA County’s Food Drop Program.