No Matter How it’s Collected, Your Organic Waste will be Recycled to its Fullest Potential
View our 1383 Organics Recycling Motion Graphic
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. Organic waste rotting in landfills emits 20 percent of California’s methane, which is 84 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.
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 conducting small-scale composting of food waste from select businesses for several years. And, beginning July 1, 2022, the WPWMA welcomes a new facility operator, FCC Environmental Services, that is planning to implement innovative technologies that will significantly increase the amount of recyclables recovered, including organics.
Increasing organic waste recovery without changes to collection methods
Once the facility upgrades are complete, 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 biofuel.
How individual jurisdictions collect organic waste
While the WPWMA’s facility upgrades do not necessitate changes to existing residential collection programs, your jurisdiction may elect to impose new collection requirements. Regardless of how organics are collected, the WPWMA will recover and recycle them. Please visit your jurisdiction’s website or contact them to find out if your collection program is changing.
| JURISDICTION | SITE |
|---|---|
| Placer County | SB 1383 Webpage |
| Roseville | www.foodforsoil.org |
| Lincoln | https://www.lincolnca.gov/en/living-here/garbage-recycling-and-yard-waste.aspx |
| Auburn | https://www.auburn.ca.gov/189/Solid-Hazardous-Waste |
| Rocklin | https://www.rocklin.ca.us/recycling |
| Loomis | https://loomis.ca.gov/solid-waste-management/ |
| Colfax | https://colfax-ca.gov/ |
| Commercial Organics | https://wpwma.ca.gov/for-residents/who-picks-up-my-garbage/ |
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. For best practices to help reduce organic waste, including tips for at-home composting, visit https://placerrecycles.com/organics/.
Supporting our community with facility improvements
The WPWMA’s facility upgrades are in conjunction with the WPWMA’s proposed 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? Call the ROTLINE: 530-889-7399, or visit the website: UC Master Gardener Program of Placer County.