New Food & Yard Waste Rules - SB 1383

On December 8th, 2021 the Maywood City Council passed the city’s mandatory organic waste disposal reduction ordinance (Ordinance # 20-013) requiring all residential, commercial and multi-family premises in the city to subscribe to the city’s organic waste reduction program. The city of Maywood will be implementing various measures to achieve the state-mandated waste diversion goals. Information on food waste for businesses and commercial compliance can be found at California’s Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy.

Reason for Changes

In 2016 Senate Bill (SB) 1383 established a goal of reducing the volume of organic waste disposed in California landfills by 75% by 2025. As defined by the law, organic waste includes lawn and landscaping debris, wood and lumber, food, food-soiled paper and other paper and cardboard products. Currently, two-thirds of this material is landfilled. As organics break down in landfills, they create methane, a powerful greenhouse gas which the state of California has identified as a factor in climate change. In addition, SB 1383 establishes a goal of increasing edible food recovery by 20% by 2025.    

The regulations specify that certain food-related businesses must donate the maximum amount of edible food they would otherwise dispose of to food recovery organizations. Starting January, 2022, wholesale food vendors, food service providers, food distributors, grocery stores and supermarkets, must donate surplus edible food to food recovery organizations. Starting in 2024 this will include hotels, restaurant facilities, health facilities, state agency cafeterias, large venues, events and educational facilities. California is working towards a 2025 goal to redirect and donate 20% of edible food to those in need.

Collection and Recycling

Starting in 2022, the City and Universal Waste Systems have expanded organic waste collection services for residents and businesses. Food waste will continue to be collected in your gray trash bin/cart and will be recycled at a high diversion facility.

Who is Affected?

The new organic waste law affects all Californians, including single family residences, multi-family complexes, commercial entities, and schools. The City of Maywood launched its organic recycling program in January 2022.

Commercial and Multi-Family (5+ Units)

Green carts will be delivered to all businesses to be used for all landscaping.  Food scraps and food-soiled paper will continue to be disposed of in your gray trash bin. If you have space constraints or if you generate 2 cubic yards or more of waste and produce less than 20 gallons of organic material or if you generate less than 2 cubic yards of waste and produce less than 20 gallons of organic material, you may apply for a waiver. Assistance with on-site food scraps recycling and setting up a food recovery program is available. Get more information by contacting Universal Waste Systems at (951) 943-1550.

Commercial Edible Food Generators

To reduce food waste and help address food insecurity, SB 1383 requires that by 2025 California will recover 20 percent of edible food that would otherwise be sent to landfills, to feed people in need. The law directs that Food Generators must arrange to recover the maximum amount of their edible food that would otherwise go to landfills and to maintain records of their food donation activities. SB 1383 places mandated food donors into two tiers. This tier system allows businesses and jurisdictions more time to prepare to expand or build new food recovery infrastructure and capacity to donate foods that are harder to safely store and distribute.  If you are a Tier 1 or Tier 2 Generator, this applies to your business, if you have not already done so, please click on the link or QR code shown below and fill out fill out the SB 1383 Survey for Food Generators:  City of Maywood SB1383 Edible Food Generator Survey

Links for food donations:

Food Bank | Maywood, CA (cityofmaywood.com)

https://www.lafoodbank.org/find-food/pantry-locator/

www.foodfinders.org

www.heartofcompassion.org 

Your participation is mandated and vital to protect California’s environment and economy from the impacts of climate change.

Commercial and multi-family properties will also be offered additional services included recycling and organics collection. Commercial and multi-family properties will also see a decrease in their waste collection rate.

Please note: Accounts with service of four cubic yards or more of waste are required by the State to recycle (AB 341) and have an organics waste program (AB 1826). Universal Waste Systems (UWS) will be contacting mandated customers to set up these programs. Customers, who have their own existing program or use third-party vendors, must fill out the Self Certification form to obtain an exemption. Please call the Universal Waste Systems Customer Service Hotline at 800-631-7016 for further information. In addition, if UWS has not picked up your bin, only use your new bin when you receive it.

Mandatory Commercial Recycling Law

With the passage of AB 341 (Chapter 476, Statutes of 2011 [Chesbro, AB 341]). California is one of the first states in the nation to enact a statewide program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by diverting commercial solid waste from landfills.

• State mandatory recycling for businesses and multi-family properties began July 1, 2012.
• AB 341 requires all businesses that generate four or more cubic yards of waste weekly and apartment communities/multi-family housing with five or more units to recycle.
• Recycling helps conserve resources and extends the life of California's landfills. It also helps create a healthy environment for our community and future generations. For more information about California's mandatory recycling law, AB 314, visit the CalRecycle website.

Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling Law

In 2014, AB 1826 Chesbro (Chapter 727, Statutes of 2014) was signed into law, requiring businesses, including apartment communities/multi-family housing with five or more units, to recycle organic waste based on the amount of waste generated each week. Organic Waste includes:

• Food waste
• Food-soiled paper
• Green waste
• Landscape and pruning waste
• Nonhazardous wood waste

AB 341 and AB 1826 REGULATIONS

The State of California passed Assembly Bill 341, requiring mandatory commercial recycling, starting July 1, 2012. Maywood’s franchise hauler, Universal Waste Systems, has delivered recycling bins to all customers to ensure compliance with this statute. The State of California also passed Assembly Bill 1826, requiring mandatory organics recycling for businesses and multi-family complexes generating 2 cubic yards or more per week of waste materials. Property owners should contact UWS to discuss organics recycling options. For more information regarding Commercial Recycling, visit UWScompany.com. The City of Maywood Environmental Services Division may also be contacted for assistance at 323-562-5700.

Additional Commercial Services

Bulky item pickup is available to commercial businesses. If you would like to find out more, please call our customer service department at 800-631-7016.