Mandatory Organics Recycling
In January 2022, California has implemented statewide organic waste recycling and surplus food recovery to reduce emissions of methane from food and organic waste in landfills. Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gasses and a major contributor to climate change. Landfills are the third-largest source of methane in California, emitting 20% of the state’s methane. Organics like food scraps, yard trimmings, paper and cardboard make up half of what Californians dump in landfills.
This new strategy is part of California’s Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Law, also known as Senate Bill (SB) 1383. The law also aims to reduce food insecurity by ensuring more surplus food reaches people in need instead of being thrown away.
SB 1383 requires the state to:
- Reduce organic waste disposal 75% by 2025.
- Rescue at least 20% of currently disposed surplus edible food by 2025.
How will SB 1383 affect Pinole residents and businesses?
Effective January 1, 2022, SB 1383 requires all residents, businesses, and multi-family properties to separate organic materials (such as plant debris, food waste, food soiled papers, untreated wood waste) and recyclable materials from trash, and either subscribe to required collection services or self-haul to an appropriate facility for diversion.
On December 7, 2021, the City of Pinole adopted a new ordinance to amend Chapter 8.10 of the Pinole Municipal Code to reflect required organics recycling services for all residential and commercial customers, as required by SB 1383.
For more information on requirements under SB1383, please view Recycle More’s SB1383 webpages that specifically apply to you:
SB 1383: Edible Food Recovery
What does Senate Bill (SB) 1383 edible food recovery require?
In order to reduce unnecessary food waste and help address food insecurity, SB 1383 requires the State of California to recover, redistribute or donate 20 percent of edible food that would have otherwise been sent to landfills by 2025. Jurisdictions must establish edible food recovery outreach and inspection programs; help connect certain edible food generators with food recovery organizations; and ensure there is sufficient county-wide capacity for all the recovered edible food.
Large Food Generator Requirements
Large food-generating businesses (such as supermarkets and wholesale food distributors) are required to contract with an edible food recovery agency and track your recovered food.
If your business falls within with one of the categories below, you will need to implement a surplus edible food recovery program, with a written agreement and recordkeeping process, by the effective date.
| Type | Type of Food-Generating Business | Effective Date of Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Supermarkets with revenue ≥ $2 million Grocery Stores with facilities ≥ 10,000 sq. ft. Food Service Providers Food Distributors Wholesale Food Vendors | January 1, 2022 |
| Tier 2 | Restaurants with ≥ 250 seats or total facility size of ≥ 5,000 sq. ft Hotels with an on-site food facility and ≥ 200 total rooms Health Facilities with an on-site food facility and ≥ 100 beds Large Permanent Venues that serve/seats > 2,000 individuals per day of operation Large Events that serve an average of > 2,000 individuals per day of operation State Agencies with a cafeteria and has ≥ 250 seats or a total cafeteria size of ≥ 5,000 sq. ft Local School/Education Agencies with an on-site food facility Farmers Markets | January 1, 2024 |
Donating Food
Local Food Recovery Organizations are available to collect surplus edible food in West Contra Costa County. If you have surplus edible food, contact one or more food recovery organizations listed below to make a donation plan with a written agreement. You will be required to keep records of all edible food donations for upcoming inspections. These SB 1383 requirements are enforceable through city ordinance, with potential penalties starting in 2024.
Edible food recovery organizations and services in West Contra Costa County
| Organization | Contact |
|---|---|
| Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano (a Feeding America affiliate) | Website: https://www.whiteponyexpress.org/food-rescue Phone: (925) 322-0604 Acceptable Food Donations: https://www.whiteponyexpress.org/food-pantry |
| White Pony Express | Website: https://www.whiteponyexpress.org/food-rescue Phone: (925) 322-0604 Acceptable Food Donations: https://www.whiteponyexpress.org/food-pantry |
Recycling and Greenwaste
Compost
FREE compost pails are available at City Hall. Use it to collect food scraps. When it’s full, transfer the food scraps to your garden or green waste bin. Residents can come pick up a pail from the first floor during regular business hours. If you have a disability that prevents you from physically being able to City Hall to pick up a pail, Public Works can arrange to deliver it to your home. Please call (510) 724-9010.
Laws and Regulations
The State of California has adopted multiple laws and regulations to encourage composting in order to extend the lifespan of landfills and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
California’s Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction law (Senate Bill (SB) 1383, 2016) establishes statewide methane reduction targets to be achieved through organic waste diversion and other mechanisms. The law requires that food scraps be composted and that cities purchase compost.
Meeting the Requirements
To meet the requirements of SB 1383, the City’s franchise waste, recyclable, and organic waste hauler, Republic Services, has distributed curbside organic waste containers (“totes”) to all Pinole residential customers.
Republic Services provides both residential and commercial collection services for recycling and trash for the City of Pinole as well as the rest of Contra Costa County.
Business Recycling, Organics and Trash Collection
Republic Services is the franchised waste hauler in Pinole. Republic Services also provides recycling services in Pinole. Call Republic Service at 510-262-7100 to establish waste services.
Along with mandatory waste collection as per the Pinole Municipal Code, state law requires businesses to have recycling and organics service per the following requirements:
California State Law AB 341 requires all businesses, that generate four cubic yards or more of trash each week or is a multi-family dwelling with five or more units, to recycle. Recycling service is included at no additional charge for most business accounts. For more information, or to request recycling service, contact Republic Services at 510-262-7100.
California State Law AB 1826 requires businesses, that generate four cubic yards or more of all waste each week or is a multi-family dwelling with five or more units, to arrange for organic waste collection. Items accepted include food scraps, food-soiled paper, and plant debris. Organics service is included at no additional charge for most business accounts.
Republic Services recycling coordinators can provide free training, indoor collection containers and service recommendations to businesses.
For more information, or to request organics service, contact Republic Services at 510-262-7100.