Organics Recycling – SB 1383

The State of California has a mandate – Senate Bill 1383 – to divert organic materials like food and green waste from landfills to purposeful uses such as compost, mulch, and renewable energy. To continue Santa Monica’s commitment to environmental stewardship and to achieve 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 households and commercial customers are required to separate waste using a three-bin system: black for refuse, blue for recycling (cans, bottles, clean cardboard and paper), and green for organics and compost (food scraps, yard waste, soiled paper and cardboard) beginning January 1, 2022. The green bin serves a wider use for all organics, including food waste, food-soiled paper waste that is mixed in with food waste, and green waste (e.g., landscape and yard waste). 

The requirement went 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.