Green Waste / Organics

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Have You Heard About SB 1383 and Organic Waste Diversion?

In January 2022, the state enacted Senate Bill 1383, the State of California's mandate for the separation of household organic waste, comprised of green waste, wood waste, food waste and soiled paper/cardboard waste in an effort to reduce greenhouse gases. SB 1383 is designed to reduce global warming gases like methane and is a fast track to fighting climate change.

So Why Do We Need Mandatory Organics Recycling?

Organic waste in landfills is one of our biggest contributors to greenhouse gases. So, the State of California passed SB 1383 to require the diversion of the organic waste so it doesn't end up in the landfill.

Landfills significantly contribute to the world’s anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. An enormous amount of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) is generated from the degradation process of deposited waste in landfills. The by-products of solid wastes deposited in a landfill adversely affect the surrounding environment and communities near landfill sites. Communities have immediate negative impacts from pollutants that arise from landfilling organic waste, like nitrogen oxides and particulate matter that cause heart and lung disease. They also trigger or worsen chronic conditions, such as asthma, heart attacks, bronchitis, and other respiratory problem.

What Does This Mean for You?

As of January 1st, 2024, your green can is now your Organic Waste Can. If you currently have a green waste exemption, the refuse division will be delivering a green can as the green waste diversion exemption no longer qualifies for can removal.

To meet state mandates, phase 1 of diverting food waste in our green organics waste can will require placing the food waste in separate plastic bag with the green waste remaining loose in the can.

Food waste starts in the kitchen, once you have collected your organic waste and are ready to remove it, please PLACE ACCEPTED ORGANIC ITEMS IN A SEPARATE PLASTIC BAG, TIE IT UP AND PLACE IT IN THE GREEN CAN. This will allow the food waste to be removed for processing and aids in SB 1383 compliance.

The City of Merced, with the use of the SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant, was able to do a one time purchase of 2-gallon kitchen pails to distribute to our residential customers for food waste diversion use in the kitchen. We hope this will assist in having a successful organics diversion program. This kitchen pail is a tool to help make organic waste diversion easy in the home.

While composting is one of the most critical steps to combat climate change, reducing the consumption of disposable materials and even recyclable materials is just as important. It’s as simple as opting for sustainable options, such as reusable items like stainless-steel water bottles, bamboo or stainless-steel straws and utensils, shopping bags, etc. Recycle is always at the bottom or last of any waste hierarchy – Reduce > Reuse > Recycle –and focus should be placed on reduction since that has the most significant impact on helping the environment through preserving raw materials used to create new products and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.

Diverting as much recoverable material as possible from our first point source of waste disposal is where we have the greatest opportunity to make the changes needed by properly sorting our waste into the correct waste stream at that moment. Recoverable materials are organic and recyclable materials diverted from landfill and transformed into reusable resources.

Organic Waste Reduction Tips

By reducing the organic waste sent to landfills we are able to have a direct impact on reducing the effects of climate change. Preventing organic waste from going into landfills is easy! Below are some links to tips to get your started.

Recycle Organics - https://calrecycle.ca.gov/nav/organics/
Food Waste Prevention - https://calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/food/
Landscape Waste Prevention - https://calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/landscaping/

For more information about SB 1383 please see https://calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/slcp/

Organics dos and donts

Green Waste is any trimmings or leaves off of plants, trees or bushes in your yard as well as lawn clippings.

Please DO NOT bag your green waste before placing them in your green can. It should be placed in the can loosely. Any bagged green waste will be considered a contamination.

The lid must be closed with no debris hanging out of or overflowing the can; this will help keep your neighborhood clean and ensure the driver can empty it.

Rinsing your can out regularly can help prevent smells (tip: rinse your can out on your lawn to help conserve water).

Only natural untreated wood is allowed in the green can. Christmas trees clear of ornamentation (without the tree stand) can go in the green can, however, it must be cut to fit the can with the lid closed. Processed and/or treated wood, i.e. furniture or fencing material, is not acceptable in the green can.

The cost for green waste service is $7.74 per month (this includes one green can). Utility account holders may request additional green cans at their location for the rate of $7.74 per can.

Keep you green clean

Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling

Please take a few minutes to give us information on you current waste services with this link to the Commercial Services Waste Survey.

Have your heard about Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling (AB 1826)? Is your business or multi-family residence meeting the organic recycling requirements? Are you unsure if your business or multi-family complex falls under the state requirements for commercial organic recycling?

In an effort to achieve California's aggressive recycling and greenhouse gas emission goals, AB 1826 is a state wide law that requires business and multi-family dwellings to divert organic waste.

Organic waste is food waste, green waste, landscaping and pruning or nonhazardous wood waste.

What does this mean for businesses?

Businesses that generate two(2) cubic yards of commercial solid waste or more per week are required to have a food waste diversion program, including diverting green waste, landscape and pruning waste, and nonhazardous wood waste.

What dose this mean for multi-units?

Multi-Family dwellings with five (5) or more units are required to divert food waste, green waste, landscape and pruning waste, and nonhazardous wood waste.

How to participate in organic recycling?

This starts with your business. Organic waste is separated on site. Then recycling the organic waste can be done. . .

· On site by maintaining your own compost pile,

· By self-hauling the organic waste to a recycling facility,

· By using the City of Merced’s refuse service.

Some landscape or gardening services will provide the waste recycling service for the green waste, landscape and pruning when maintaining the property.

Please find a detailed list of what is acceptable food waste and green waste organics.

Have more questions, not sure if you have anything that can be recycled, or need to add organic recycling service to your business? We have an informational brochure below or contact the Public Works office at 209-385-6800. We want to be a partner to your success in waste diversion!

Information Brochures

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