SB 1383 - CA Organics Law

SB 1383 is a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP). When compostable materials such as food scraps and other organic materials get landfilled, they create greenhouse gas emissions. Compostable materials, such as food waste and paper products, decompose without oxygen in a landfill creating methane. Specifically, the law sets the following targets:

• Reduce statewide disposal of organic waste by 50% by January 1, 2020
• Reduce statewide disposal of organic waste by 75% by January 1, 2025
• Recover a minimum of 20% edible food safe for human consumption, which is currently being disposed of, by 2025

CalRecycle is the state agency responsible for creating the regulatory standards for SB 1383. The purpose of the law is to reduce greenhouse gases and build upon California's efforts to reduce air pollution statewide. For more information, visit the San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority (IWMA) page here. You may also view the a brochure regarding SB 1383 requirements in English or Spanish by clicking the links below.

SB 1383 Brochure - English

SB 1383 Brochure - Spanish

How does SB 1383 impact residents?

All residents living in single-family homes in the City of Pismo Beach are automatically provided curbside organics (compost/green cart) service. If you do not have compost service, please contact South County Sanitary to set up your service.

How does SB 1383 impact businesses?

If you own a business or apartment/condo complex (of five units or more), you are required to divert organic materials from the landfill by:

• Subscribing to and participating in the organics collection services via the garbage collection company (South County Sanitary), or;
• Self-haul organic waste to a specified composting facility. Records of this service MUST be maintained including weight tickets.
• Provide collection containers for organic waste and recyclables in all areas where disposal containers are provided for customers.
• Annually provide educational information about the legal requirements to compost and recycle including how to properly sort between the three waste streams. 

Commercial Food Generators

For the recovery of edible food waste, edible food generators are split into two tiers and must arrange to recover the maximum amount of their edible food that would otherwise go to landfills and maintain records. 

Tier One must comply with edible food recovery requirements by January 1, 2022. This includes:

• Supermarkets
• Grocery stores (with a total facility size 10, 000 square feet or more).
• Foodservice distributors
• Wholesale food markets

Tier Two must comply with edible food recovery requirements by January 1, 2024. This includes:

• Restaurants (with 250 seats or more, or 5,000 square feet or more)
• Hotels (with onsite food facility and 200 rooms or more)
• Health facilities (with onsite food facility and 100 or more beds)
• State agencies (with a cafeteria with 250 or more seats, or 5,000 square feet or more)
• Local education agencies (with an onsite food facility)
• Large venues and events

Food Recovery Organizations

Visit our local food recovery organizations for more information on food recovery programs and donations:

• 1180 Kendall Rd.
• San Luis Obispo CA 93401
• Contact: Andrea Richards
• Phone: (805) 238-4664
• Collection Service Area: San Luis Obispo
• Food Accepted: All Types