Food & Yard Waste Rules - SB 1383 

Effective July 1, 2022

On October 5, 2021, the El Monte City Council passed the City’s Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction Ordinance (Ordinance # 3006) requiring all residential, commercial and multi-family premises in the City to subscribe to the City’s Organic Waste Reduction Program. The City of El Monte will be implementing various measures to achieve the state-mandated waste diversion goals. Information on food waste for businesses and commercial compliance can be found at California’s Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy.

Reason for Changes

In 2016 Senate Bill (SB) 1383 established a goal of reducing the volume of organic waste disposed in California landfills by 75% by 2025. As defined by the law, organic waste includes lawn and landscaping debris, wood and lumber, food, food-soiled paper and other paper and cardboard products. Currently, two-thirds of this material is landfilled. As organics break down in landfills, they create methane, a powerful greenhouse gas which the state of California has identified as a factor in climate change. In addition, SB 1383 establishes a goal of increasing edible food recovery by 20% by 2025.    

The regulations specify that certain food-related businesses must donate the maximum amount of edible food they would otherwise dispose of to food recovery organizations. Starting January, 2022, wholesale food vendors, food service providers, food distributors, grocery stores and supermarkets, must donate surplus edible food to food recovery organizations. Starting in 2024 this will include hotels, restaurant facilities, health facilities, state agency cafeterias, large venues, events and educational facilities. California is working towards a 2025 goal to redirect and donate 20% of edible food to those in need.

Collection and Recycling

Starting in July, 2022, the City and Valley Vista Services will expand organic waste collection services for residents and businesses. Food and yard waste collected in green carts will be recycled using:

• Composting facilities that make soil amendments, materials that are added to soil to change and improve it.
• Anaerobic digestion facilities, technology and microorganisms break down organic waste in closed spaces where there is no oxygen and create renewable natural gas.

Who is Affected?

The new organic waste law affects all Californians, including single family residences, multi-family complexes, commercial entities, and schools. The City of El Monte launched its organic recycling program in July, 2022. 

Residential and Multi-Family (1-4 units)

Green carts will be used for all "organics," including lawn and garden debris, food scraps and food-soiled paper, such as pizza boxes and paper plates. Instead of putting food into your trash cart, you will now separate it in the kitchen and place it into the green cart. Kitchen scrap pails along with an initial supply of compostable plastic bags will be made available to help you separate food scraps from miscellaneous trash in the kitchen. As soon as you receive your new kitchen pails, begin placing bagged food scraps and food-soiled paper into the green cart with your yard waste. You can use this pail with the bags to collect fruit, vegetables, bones, coffee grounds, dairy products, eggshells, fish, meat, grain products, baked goods, spoiled food, uneaten leftovers and similar items. The pail helps reduce odor and keeps your kitchen tidy before you empty the scraps into your green cart.

Residents and businesses will be notified prior to implementation of the new recycling rules through mailed notifications. Your participation in protecting California’s environment and economy from the impacts of climate change is vital.