Capture organic waste and develop regional capacity for beneficial reuse

Organic waste includes things like food waste, landscaping and pruning waste, and nonhazardous wood waste. When organic waste ends up in landfills, it releases methane, a greenhouse gas 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

SB 1383 requires jurisdictions to reduce organic waste disposal and recover edible food. Compliance often requires expanded waste infrastructure, especially for communities that lack proper organics collection and processing services.

Most important to the growth of organics recycling is proper source separation of waste. Contamination of waste streams is difficult to manage and may render waste nonrecyclable or compostable. A multifaceted approach, combining infrastructure and education, will help move the region toward organic waste reduction and beneficial reuse.