Organics Recycling – SB 1383

The State of California has a new organics recycling mandate – Senate Bill 1383 – to divert organic materials like food and green waste from landfills to purposeful uses like compost, mulch, and renewable energy. To fulfill the state law and to continue Santa Monica’s commitment to environmental stewardship and achieving our zero waste goal by 2030, the City Council adopted a new Mandatory Recycling Ordinance for Santa Monica on November 9, 2021.

Under the ordinance, all Santa Monica single- and multi-family households and commercial customers are required to separate waste using a three-bin system: black for refuse, blue for non-organics recycling such as cardboards and bottles, and green for organics recycling beginning January 1, 2022. While many customers have three bins, there are some that do not have a green bin, commonly known as the bin for yard waste. The green bin serves a wider use for all organics, which means food waste, food-soiled paper waste that is mixed in with food waste, and green waste (e.g., landscape and yard waste).

The requirement goes into effect on January 1, 2022 with enforcement to follow. There are limited waivers for the organics recycling mandate, including businesses and residents that collect a minimal amount of organics per week or if a customer’s building lacks adequate space for the required containers (subject to approval by the City).

To learn more about how to recycle your organic waste, listen to the KCRW and Santa Monica Daily Press podcasts on organics recycling.

To view the City’s Mandatory Recycling Ordinance, click here.

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FAQ

What is the new mandatory recycling law?

Beginning January 1, 2022, the State of California requires all Californians to sort their waste three-way: black containers for landfill trash; blue containers for dry and clean recyclables such as bottles, cans, papers, and cardboard; and green containers for organics such as food scraps and yard waste. The State law is called Senate Bill 1383, and the City also passed a local ordinance mirroring SB 1383's requirements.

Why the new organics recycling law?

While the City sends properly sorted, clean, and dry recyclable materials placed in the blue containers to recycling facilities, the materials discarded in the black trash containers go to landfills and are buried. Over time, most of the landfilled materials, including predominantly food and yard materials or what we call organics, break down and release a gas called methane into the atmosphere.

Methane is a major contributor to climate change because it is significantly more potent than carbon dioxide. Therefore, the State of California approved a new law that requires every person in the state to recycle organics into a green container. By diverting organics into our green containers, NOT the black ones, we now will send this valuable reusable resource to a facility which turns it into compost and mulch to revitalize our landscapes and gardens or renewable energy to replace fossil fuel energy. Everyone wins – people and nature!

What types of materials go in which bins?

To see an example of what types of materials go into the green, blue, or black bins, click here.

Who can request a green organics container?

The account holder of the City's utility bill for water, sewer, and solid waste. That person is usually the property owner, property manager, or the HOA. Please have the utility account number ready when requesting a green container. Tenants or renters cannot make the request, but can notify their property owner to contact the City.

What are the consequences of not complying with the City's new recycling law? Will I get a fine?

Many residents in the City already have the green container and have been using it for years, but we understand this is a change for many others and will take some time to get used to putting food and landscaping materials in the green container. Therefore, the City's primary focus will be on education and outreach. Our goal is to help residents and businesses learn how to recycle properly and minimize the amount of waste going to the landfill. The City does have the ability to issue citations ranging from $100-$500 per violation, but they will be issued as a last resort to locations that are repeat violators despite multiple attempts of contacting the resident/business and providing multiple rounds of education and inspections. Again, the City's focus will be on education and outreach. We do not wish to issue citations if at all avoidable.

What if I have additional questions regarding the new organics recycling law?

If you have any additional recycling questions, or need recycling educational materials or replacement decals for your containers, please email us at zerowaste@santamonica.gov. We look forward to hearing from you.

How do I separate food waste in my home? Where do I put it? Where can I find a container to hold food waste in my home before collection day?

It's actually quite easy: Instead of putting your food scraps or leftover foods in your trash can, you now place them in a separate container. The container can be a small trash can with a lid, or if you don't cook a lot or generate a lot of food waste, you can use a large plastic takeout container with a lid or even a large freezer bag. Some people prefer to empty their food scraps directly into the City's green container every day; others choose to keep the food scraps at home or in the freezer until collection day. Either way is perfectly fine.

We recommend a container with a lid to keep things mess-free and odor-free. You can also look for a kitchen scrap bucket in stores or online, or purchase one from the City at a discounted price of $18.32. Residents tell us they like the ones from the City because it has a vented lid to keep odor at bay, a handle for easy carrying, and is dishwasher safe.

To purchase a kitchen scrap bucket from the City, send your request to zerowaste@santamonica.gov or call us at (310) 458-2246 (option 1). Upon payment, you will pick up your bucket at the City Yard Facility located at 2500 Michigan Ave, Building 9.

You can place food scraps directly into your kitchen food scrap container, or you can line it with a paper bag. Plastic bags cannot be recycled and cannot be placed in the green container. If you must use a sturdier bag, use one labeled "100% compostable," such as BioBags. (See answer for the next question for further details.)

What bags are acceptable in a green container? Can we use compostable bags for food scraps? Where can I buy compostable bags?

You can use compostable bags (not biodegradable) for food scraps.

The most sustainable and recommended option is to use no bags at all (and mix with landscape green materials if available, ripped newspaper, or shredded cardboard.

The second best option is to use a paper bag, or two or three due to moisture content.

The third option is to use a compostable bag (see below for specifications).

Remember:

For a bag to be truly compostable, all of following three criteria must be met: they must be labeled 100% compostable, BPI certified, and meet ASTM-D6400 standards.

Examples are the compostable bags made by BioBag and EcoSafe. They're currently sold in major retailers such as; Bed Bath and Beyond, Target, Home Depot, or Amazon. Check online for store availability.

What do I do with...

Pizza boxes with a greasy bottom or lid go into the green container because the surface is soiled with food. If the inside surface of the box is dry (meaning it has no food scraps or grease on it), it can go into the blue container for cardboard recycling. So if the bottom is greasy and the lid is dry, you can separate the lid from the box and place it in the blue recycle container.

Plastic takeout containers: Containers marked with the recycling symbol #1, #2, or #5 (usually found at the bottom of the container) can go into the blue recyclables container. Please remember to wipe clean and dry the containers before placing any recyclables into the blue container.