Organics Recycling (SB1383)

California Required Organics Recycling - Starting 2023 (start date TBD)

Place food scraps and food-soiled paper in your organics container with landscape trimmings.


You will not need a new cart. You can just place your food scraps and food-soiled paper in your existing green waste cart. We will start calling that your organics cart and it will be picked up weekly.

Garbage Sorting

What Is SB 1383?

California SB 1383 is intended to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and slow the effects of climate change by reducing the amount of organic materials headed to landfills. 

What Is the New SB 1383 Regulation?

SB 1383 is the most significant landfill waste reduction mandate adopted in California in the last 30 years. Its goal is to reduce organics waste landfill disposal by 75% (from 2014 levels) by 2025. This means diverting more than 20 million tons from landfills. The legislation aims to slow climate change by diverting organic materials from landfills, recovering 20% of edible food and redirecting it to food-insecure Californians.

Why Is It Important?

Every year, Californians dump organic waste like food scraps and yard trimmings into landfills. This waste makes up half of the materials put into landfills.

Disposing of organic waste rather than composting it creates 20% of California’s methane emissions. Methane is a climate super pollutant and is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

Will My Containers Change?

SB 1383 requires that carts be uniform colors across the state by 2036. Eventually, carts will have dark grey bodies with different colored lids - a green lid for organics, blue lid for recycling, and black lid for trash.

We will make these cart changes gradually to minimize disruption in your community. When it comes time to replace carts, watch for the new color scheme. Make sure you check the lid for instructions on how to use the carts correctly and avoid contamination. 

Cans

What is Contamination?

Contamination occurs when you place non-acceptable items in the wrong cart. Contaminants can ruin an entire load of organics or recyclables and prevent these materials from going on to have a second life. Should contamination become excessive, fees may apply.

Loose plastic bags and bagged materials in organics and recycling containers are the most common contaminants. Please empty your organics and recyclable materials directly into your organics or recycling carts to give them the best chance of becoming new products

How Will I Know if I'm Using My Carts Correctly? 

SB 1383 requires that carts be monitored for contamination and that an education and enforcement program be in place to help residents recycle properly. We will use our WM Smart TruckSM technology to help your community comply with this part of the law.
Compost

What is WM Smart Truck Technology?

WM trucks are fitted with cameras to capture footage of your carts as they are emptied. Beginning in January 2023, you may receive a notice if contamination is identified in your recycling or organics cart, or if any of your carts are overfilled and the lid does not close. If contamination or overages become excessive, fees may apply.

Where Can I Learn More?