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Home Hot Topic Throwing away food waste could mean a fine in 2024. What you need to know about California’s composting law

Throwing away food waste could mean a fine in 2024. What you need to know about California’s composting law

by Celia

California residents may face fines for not recycling their kitchen food scraps as new laws come into effect. Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383), implemented in 2024, empowers cities to penalize individuals for not properly recycling food waste. The law, aimed at reducing methane emissions in landfills, mandates the recycling of organic waste.

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While some cities, like Sacramento, emphasize education over enforcement, SB 1383 allows fines for non-compliance. Sacramento encourages residents to use designated green bins for food scraps, aligning with the city’s organics waste recycling program launched in July 2022.

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Jesa David from the city of Sacramento Recycling and Solid Waste Division explains, “It’s not about punishment or penalizing anybody. We just want to make sure everybody has the right tools.” The law obligates cities to recycle organic waste, contributing to the state’s goal of recycling 75% of all organic waste.

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CalRecycle, overseeing compliance, notes that 75% of cities have incorporated the recycling program for residents. Rachel Machi Wagoner, director of CalRecycle, emphasizes 2024 as an opportunity for growth and culture change. The state aims to achieve its 75% recycling goal, equating it to removing 3 million cars from the road.

Cameras on waste trucks in Sacramento monitor disposal practices, revealing a 14% increase in organic recycling and a 10% reduction in landfill waste. Despite SB 1383 enforcement provisions beginning in 2024, many cities prioritize education and coaching for compliance. Sacramento, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, and Placer County emphasize education over fines, seeking to improve environmental practices collaboratively.

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