An Introduction to SB 1383

When we are talking about organic waste for the purposes of SB 1383 we are talking about green waste, wood waste, food waste, but also fibers, such as paper and cardboard. Organic waste comprises two-thirds of our waste stream. Food waste alone is the largest waste stream in California. According to CalRecycle’s last waste characterization study in 2014, food waste comprised 18 percent of what we disposed. SB 1383 also requires California to recover 20 percent of currently disposed edible food. We currently don’t know how much of the food waste stream is edible. CalRecycle is conducting a new waste characterization study in 2018/19 that is taking a closer look at our food waste stream. The results of this study will help determine how much edible food waste is landfilled on average throughout the state.

Here’s what we do know

• 1 in 5 children go hungry every night in California – redirecting perfectly edible food that is currently being disposed to feed those in need can help alleviate this.
• For every 2 ½ tons of food rescued, that’s the equivalent of taking 1 car off the road for a year.

The following videos will provide you with more information on the program:

• What is SB 1383
• Residential - How Do I Comply?
  • What Happens After Pickup?
• Commercial - How Do I Comply?
  • What Happens After Pickup?