The new law, known as the California Organic Waste Recycling Act, mandates that all municipalities in California must start collecting and recycling organic waste by January 1, 2024. This means that any city or town that fails to meet this deadline will face fines. This new law is a part of California’s larger effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve climate change goals. It’s also intended to promote food waste reduction and composting initiatives.
“We’re going to continue our pilot program,” said Public Works Deputy Director Diko Melkonian. “We’re potentially expanding that sometime after the first (of January). “The state is giving us some leniency,” he added. “We’re starting meetings now to plan a timeline.” Organic waste includes food scraps and grass clippings or other plant material. It can be composted and used as fertilizer. But finding a commercial-sized composting or recycling facility is one of the roadblocks to starting a citywide program, Melkonian said. CalRecycle is the state agency responsible for implementing SB 1383. When the law was passed in 2016, the goal was to reduce organic waste going to landfills by 50% in 2020 and 75% by 2025. The 2020 goal wasn’t met.
This means that cities can potentially avoid fines by working with CalRecycle to find alternative solutions. CalRecycle’s mandate is to reduce waste and promote recycling. This is a complex and multifaceted issue, with various stakeholders involved. The agency’s role is to ensure that all stakeholders are working together to achieve the state’s waste reduction goals.
The city of Long Beach, California, faces potential penalties for failing to meet its environmental goals. The city has been given a deadline of March 1, 2022, to submit a notice of intent to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). If Long Beach fails to meet the deadline, it could face penalties.
A second way to dispose of organic waste is called anaerobic digestion, which uses bacteria to break down organic matter. It is used in some sewage treatment plants. Containing the process allows the gas to be collected, then used for fuel, normally to create electricity. But there are no such plants nearby. The latest state budget includes $185 million to help communities put organic recycling in place — though that’s still far less than the construction cost of a single anaerobic plant. But grants available beginning Jan. 1 can be used for other needs to put a program in place, including to buy trucks and bins. There’s also $5 million available to help expand community composting programs.
The summary provided focuses on the environmental impact of trash disposal and transportation. It highlights the negative consequences of transporting trash to remote composting or anaerobic plants and the challenges associated with landfills. **Detailed Text:**
The environmental impact of trash disposal and transportation is a significant concern, with both the transportation of trash and its final disposal posing challenges.
The SERRF is a crucial part of the region’s waste management system. It plays a vital role in reducing the environmental impact of waste disposal. The facility is a testament to the commitment of the region to sustainable development and environmental protection.
Some private companies serving commercial and multi-family complexes already have the ability to accept and dispose of organic waste, Rowland said, and could offer that at the beginning of the year. Until the city can take organic waste, however, the alternative would be individual compost piles. Directions for home composting is available at the city’s website, longbeach.gov/lbrecycles.