SB 1383, a new organic waste collection and recycling law, went into effect statewide January 1. However, single-family residents in Diamond Bar will not have to begin recycling their organics until July 1. This is the local implementation date proposed by Waste Management, and approved by CalRecycle, the regulatory agency charged with overseeing and enforcing this new law.
Also known as California’s Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Law, SB 1383 was passed in September 2016, and requires California to achieve two things by 2025:
■ Recover at least 20% of currently disposed edible food
To that end, the law requires that individuals and businesses keep organic materials out of the regular trash bin by either composting it or placing it in the green bin along with yard waste. Grocery stores, restaurants and other foodservice establishments are required to go a step further by donating excess edible food to food recovery agencies or similar service organizations. According to CalRecycle organic waste, including food waste, in landfills emits 20 percent of the state’s methane, a short-lived greenhouse super pollutant 70 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Additionally, reducing food waste and organic waste disposal is one of the fastest and easiest ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Organic waste that will go in the green cart starting July 1 includes meat and bones including fish and shellfish, grains, breads and pasta, dairy products including cheese and yogurt, eggs and eggshells, fruits and vegetables, food-soiled paper including compostable takeout containers, coffee filters, coffee grounds and tea bags, leftover food scraped off plates, and yard trimmings including leaves, branches and grass clippings. Organics should be placed directly into the cart, loose and unbagged.
Here is what single-family residents need to know about the implementation of SB 1383 in Diamond Bar:
■ Mandatory organics recycling starts July 1.
■ Service rate changes related to the collection and recycling of organics waste will be tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and go into effect July 1.
■ To comply with SB 1383, on July 1, residents living in single-family homes will begin putting their organic food waste along with their yard trimmings into their existing green waste containers.
■ All organic waste collected will be transported to a composting facility.
Over the next couple of years, residents can expect to see additional information coming from both the City and its two contract waste haulers – Waste Management and Valley Vista Services – regarding the implementation of SB 1383 and other matters related to organics recycling. Information will be shared through the City’s and waste haulers’ websites, email and electronic newsletters, bill inserts, social media pages, and at special events.
Individuals who have not signed up to receive email notifications from the City are encouraged to do so by visiting www.diamondbarca.gov/notifyme and selecting “Latest News”.
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