CalRecycle Organics Regulations - SB 1383

Senate Bill 1383: Short-lived Climate Pollutants is part of a statewide effort to reduce the emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (like methane gas) in various sectors of California’s economy. SB 1383 establishes specific statewide targets:

• Reduce the amount of organic waste going to landfills (50% reduction by 2020 and 75% by 2025)
• Reduce at least 20% of edible food that is currently going to landfills by 2025 and redirect it to people in need

The California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) finalized the regulations to achieve the goals of SB 1383 in November 2020 and these regulations take effect in January 2022.

The State has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving health, and creating clean jobs that support resilient local economies. Organic waste makes up half of what Californians send to landfills, where it emits 20% of the state’s methane, a climate super pollutant 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Implementing the statewide plan under SB 1383 will reduce methane emissions and is essential to achieving California’s climate goals.

What does SB 1383 mean for Residents?

Residents must recycle all organic waste, including paper, cardboard, yard materials, food scraps, and food-soiled paper in your organics cart.  GreenWaste Recovery (GWR) processes yard trimmings into compost/mulch. For more information on how GWR handles Recyclables (single stream), Garbage & Mixed Materials (Municipal Solid Waste), and Yard Trimmings visit the GWR website. If you’re not sure what goes where the GWR website is the best resource to review. To learn general SB 1383 information you can visit the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability for helpful resources.

What are the Town's goals?

The Town 2020 target was a 50% reduction from 2014 levels, which were exceeded. The town has a 2025 target of 75% reduction from 2014 levels.  

Organics Collection Services

SB 1383 requires jurisdictions to provide automatic organic waste collection services to all residents and businesses. The Town of Atherton already has a three-bin collection system for residential and commercial properties.

Edible Food Recovery

SB 1383 requires jurisdictions to establish and enforce a food recovery program that requires food generating businesses to donate edible food and strengthen existing food recovery networks. The County of San Mateo’s Office of Sustainability is leading a countywide edible food recovery program to maximize the impact through the economies of scale.

Procure Recovered Organic Products

Beginning January 1, 2022, the Town must annually procure a certain quantity of recovered organic waste products. Jurisdictions can fulfill their target by procuring any combination of eligible products such as compost, mulch, and renewable energy. The Town is also required to purchase recycled-content paper. The Town is developing an environmentally responsible purchasing policy to be fully compliant with SB 1383.

Education and Outreach

SB 1383 regulations will require the Town to conduct specific outreach to residents, schools, businesses, and edible food generators, on an annual basis.  The Town is currently working with its community partners – the County of San Mateo, GreenWaste Recovery, and CalRecycle to provide education and outreach.

Compliance and Enforcement

SB 1383 regulations require the adoption and enforcement of various ordinances. The Town is currently in the process of updating or adopting ordinances to meet the requirements as well as working with community partners on the enforcement and record-keeping requirements. Click here to view the updated Construction & Demolition and Model Water Efficient Landscaping requirements.

City Council Discussions

November 17, 2021, Discussion Item on SB 1383 – Packet

For More Information

More information on SB 1383 is available on CalRecycle’s website.