What Pasadenans Need to Know About California’s New Composting Law – Pasadena Now

Pasadena residents were required to pack their food waste and put it in the existing green waste container effective January 1 when the City launches a new mandatory Food Waste Recycling Program in accordance with the new composting law. California, SB 1383.

In a previously sent letter, the City reminded residents of its new Food Waste Recycling Program and advised them not to put food waste directly into the green waste container “to prevent green waste contamination and avoid additional costs. processing ”.

“Clear plastic bags are recommended, but not required, and available at local retailers and online outlets.” the letter said. “Organic waste is mainly made up of food scraps and yard waste, such as yard waste, green waste, and pruning waste.”

The city also issued a revised list of organic waste that can be placed in residents’ green waste containers for collection:

• Grass clippings

• Leaves

• Weeds

• Pruning

• flowers

• Other yard waste

• Bagged food waste (i.e. food scraps, including: fruit, bread, fish, meat, vegetables, and dairy products)

The letter said garbage collection days will not change.

The City, through the Department of Public Works, said residents should also consider composting their food waste, if they haven’t already done so, to help reduce methane emissions. Compost bins are available to community members at a cost of $ 56.

Since food waste accounts for approximately 17 to 18 percent of total landfill disposal, increasing food waste prevention, encouraging edible food salvage, and expanding composting and digestion of organic waste in containers will help reduce methane emissions from organic waste disposed of in California landfills.

The City, through the Department of Public Works, said residents should also start composting their food waste, if they haven’t already, to help reduce methane emissions. Compost bins are available to community members at a cost of $ 56.

Governor Jerry Brown signed SB 1383 in 2016 setting methane emission reduction targets in a state effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) in various sectors of the state’s economy. The law also established plans to achieve a 50 percent reduction in organic waste disposal statewide from the 2014 level by 2020 and a 75 percent reduction by 2025.

On January 1, CalRecycle, the California Department of Recycling and Resource Recovery, begins implementing regulations to meet organic waste reduction targets for 2020 and 2025.

For more information on purchasing a compost bin, visit http://www.cityofpasadena.net/public works / recyclingresources / mulch-compost-recycling / order-compost-containers.

Residents who want to learn how to compost organic waste can consult a guide on how to compost properly through this link: www.cityofpasadena.net/public-works / wp-content / uploads /sites / 29 / Compost-Presentation.pdf? v = 1640639020655.

To reduce food waste disposal, the City also encourages donating excess edible food rather than throwing it away. You can find more information in this online guide from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, http: //publichealth.lacounty.gov / eh / LACFRI / donate-surplus-food.htm.