SB 1383 – Organics Regulations
Recycling our community's organic waste
What is SB 1383?
The California Legislature passed SB 1383 in 2016, a sweeping call to reduce organic waste going to landfills. Why? The research concluded that organic waste decomposes in landfills and creates methane gas, a climate change accelerant. Organics include everyday items like food scraps, leaves and lawn clippings and soiled paper products.
This methane reduction law requires California jurisdictions to achieve 50% diversion of organics from landfills by 2022 and 75% diversion by 2025.
Although the law’s goals may sound challenging, the WPWMA is well-positioned to meet the mandate thanks to a history of forward-thinking projects.
The WPWMA has been composting green waste since the mid-nineties and composting food waste from local restaurants for several years. The WPWMA is currently building a new state-of-the-art Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) that implements innovative technologies to significantly increase the amount of recyclables recovered, including organic waste.
Increasing Organic Waste Recovery Without Changes to Collection Methods
Once the MRF renovation is complete in early 2025, the WPWMA will significantly increase the amount of organics it recycles – including food waste. And no matter how individual jurisdictions collect organic waste, it will be recycled to its fullest potential at the WPWMA’s materials recovery and composting facilities. The WPWMA’s modernized infrastructure will allow jurisdictions to continue using their two-container collection systems where organic material is collected, recovered, and recycled into new end-products like compost or renewable fuel.
How Individual Jurisdictions Collect Organic Waste
| Jurisdiction | Site |
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Placer County
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Roseville |
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Lincoln |
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Auburn |
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Rocklin |
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Loomis |
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Colfax |
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Commercial Organics |
The WPWMA’s facility upgrades do not necessitate changes to existing residential collection programs, and at this time all western Placer County jurisdictions are not imposing new collection requirements. Please visit your jurisdiction’s website or contact them to learn more about their collection programs.
What can you do to support organic waste diversion?
It’s up to all of us to be responsible for the organic waste we generate. Reduce food over-purchasing and reuse or freeze when possible, practice home composting, and donate non-expired food to a food bank.
Supporting our community with facility improvements
The WPWMA’s facility improvements are in conjunction with the WPWMA’s approved Renewable Placer Waste Action Plan to meet the future needs of residents and businesses, comply with a changing regulatory environment, support planned regional growth, increase material diversion from the landfill, and create opportunities for innovation. To learn more, visit RenewablePlacer.com.
Composting questions?
Due to the WPWMA’s innovative Materials Recovery Facility, residents will not have to compost their organic waste themselves. However, if you’re interested in learning to compost yourself, please utilize the resources below.
Call the ROTLINE: 530-889-7399, or visit the website: UC Master Gardener Program of Placer County.
