California Compost Law: What Businesses Need to Know

California's composting regulations are changing how businesses handle organic waste. This guide breaks down key compliance requirements, including the role of organic waste bins and best practices for businesses and property managers to meet state mandates.

SB1383: Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy

What does this bill do?

SB1383 aims to reduce short-lived climate pollutants by reducing statewide organic waste disposal by 75% and recover 20% of edible food by 2025. It is a mandate that requires all businesses and residents to have access to organics service. In addition: food generators in California are required to separate organic waste from trash, recover edible food for donation, and report donation totals to local agencies.

Why is organic waste disposal a problem? 

Organics (think kitchen scraps, yard trimmings, paper, and cardboard) make up over 50% of the waste that Californians landfill. Here are 3 reasons this is a problem:

1. When separated, food scraps and soiled paper can be processed back into nutrient rich compost to support a more locally resilient food system (compost is even being used to regenerate fire damaged regions).

2. Paper and cardboard are domestically recyclable and highly valuable materials that should be kept in circulation; improving the recycling economy improves the overall economy.

3. Decaying organic waste in landfills is a major source of air pollutants like PM 2.5 that contribute to respiratory issues, and methane, a climate pollutant 80x more powerful than carbon dioxide.

The good news: 92% of Californians now have access to organics waste collection. Reaching SB1383 goals is a matter of education and engagement with the benefits of organics separation and sorting of material like food waste. So how do we do that?

image credit: CalRecycle

Complying with SB1383 on Commercial Properties

Many jurisdictions worked with waste haulers to automatically drop off an organics cart (often green or brown) as a minimum service level, which is sometimes free but often paid. 

When the service is in place, management must:

Ensure it is appropriate and accessible to all tenants and staff. Consider: container size and quantity, location, and clear signage & color-coding.

Additionally, SB1383 requires managers/businesses to educate tenants and staff.

Annual education on proper organics waste management must be routinely provided and new tenants must be given information on separation & sorting of organic wastes within two weeks of residency.

Three questions to consider as a Property Manager or Business Owner:

•  Does the property currently have organics collection service?

•  Is the service appropriate and accessible for tenants and staff (e.g. container size, quantity, location, and signage)?

•  Who engages your tenants and staff with education around proper separation and sorting of organics and how often?

image credit: Clean Composting Company

What other California composting regulation questions do you have? If you want to engage tenants, ensure compliance, waste less, and find savings along the way: reach out to WNC and tell us about your business or property!