SB 1383 and Organics
What is SB 1383?
Signed by Governor Brown in September of 2016, California’s Senate Bill (SB) 1383 aims to reduce statewide emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs). SLCPs, such as black carbon (soot), methane (CH4), and fluorinated gases, are estimated to constitute nearly half of the current total climate impacts. Unlike the long-term climate impacts of carbon dioxide (CO2), which can remain in the atmosphere for hundreds of years, SLCPs remain in the atmosphere for less than 20 years (hence the term “short-lived”). However, in that relatively shorter amount of time, SLCPs have significantly larger climate warming impacts than CO2. Therefore, in addition to addressing CO2 impacts, reducing SLCP emissions is seen as an effective and necessary strategy to rapidly address climate change. For Californians, the tangible impacts of climate change include air pollution, sea level rise and coastal erosion, extreme weather events resulting in droughts, and increased fire risks.
SB 1383 and Organics Recycling
SB 1383 affects various sectors of the state’s economy, but one major area of focus is the reduction and recycling of organic waste. Until recently, organic waste like food scraps and yard trimmings were sent to landfills where they make up about 20% of the state’s methane emissions. Since methane is 84 times more potent of a pollutant than CO2, SB 1383 has set targets to reduce organic waste disposal 50% by 2020 and 75% by 2025. To meet these goals, residents and businesses must separate organic waste into designated organics recycling containers, while waste collection agencies like the City of Bell are tasked with educating the public about organics recycling and enforcing the proper use of waste containers.
Multi-Family Recycling Overview
The City of Bell partners with Republic Services (Consolidated Disposal Service) to provide exclusive waste, recycling, and organics services for residential, multi-family and commercial accounts. They offer one-stop shopping for all of the City's waste removal needs, and help the city comply with State Laws, such as SB 1383. California Senate 1383 (SB 1383) establishes methane emissions reduction targets in a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants in various sectors of California’s economy. SB 1383 requires that all California cities, including Bell must implement programs and services that will reduce waste, increase recycling and organics collection services, reduce improper container usage, and provide waste, recycling, and organics programming for residents and businesses.
Republic Services provides collection services at your curb to meet these laws and achieve the City’s sustainability and waste reduction goals, from curbside collection to bulky item disposal services, to education on waste prevention, recycling and organics, Republic’s services go far beyond just emptying the trash bins. For more information regarding your collection services or available recycling programs, please visit Republic Services website or call Republic’s Customer Service line at (800) 299-4898.
Multi-Family Collection Services
As mandated by SB 1383, all commercial customers, including multi-family properties are required to participate in both recycling and organics programs. Republic Services provides solid waste, recycling and organics collection services to commercial and multi-family customers that are designed to meet both requirements for recycling and organics, while also meeting your space and waste generation needs. Please contact Republic Services at (800) 299-4898 to learn more about these requirements, and to set up or modify service levels to best serve your community.
Tenant Outreach: Republic Services sustainability advisors are available to provide additional education and outreach to property managers and tenants onsite, including providing workshops, educational resources, and direct service assistance.
Sources:
CalRecycle: https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/slcp
California Air Resources Board: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/final_SLCP_strategy.pdf
Environmental and Energy Study Institute: https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/fact-sheet-short-lived-climate-pollutants
Climate & Clean Air Coalition: https://www.ccacoalition.org/en/content/short-lived-climate-pollutants-slcps