Mandatory Organics Recycling Law (SB 1383)

In September 2016, California set methane emissions reduction targets for California (SB 1383 Lara, Chapter 395, Statutes of 2016) in a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants. The aim of the law is to:

Reduce organic waste disposal 75% by 2025.
Recover (for people to eat) at least 20% of currently disposed surplus food by 2025.

When organic waste, such as food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings, end up in landfills, they generate methane gas, a significant contributor to climate change and poor local air quality. That is why SB 1383 now requires residents and businesses to properly sort their waste into compost, recycling, and landfill bins. Not only does organic waste diversion combat global climate change, but it also creates nutrient-rich compost and mulch from materials that would otherwise end up in the landfill.

What do the SB 1383 requirements mean for you?

Whether you are a resident or business, you are required to properly sort all food scraps, yard trimmings, and food-soiled paper, and place them in your curbside compost bin.

Residents

Living in a building with four units or fewer.

Subscribe to curbside organics and recycling services through your local hauler.
Separate waste – recycling, organics, and landfill – into the appropriate containers.
Multifamily residents – If your building does not have compost or recycling service, ask your property manager to set up service.

Businesses

Subscribe to organics collection service with your local hauler. Alternatively, self-haul is allowed as long as records of receipts and weight tickets are provided upon request.
Separate waste into the appropriate containers based on your hauler’s collection program.
Provide adequate number and size of curbside collection containers with correct labels.
Set up properly color-coded indoor containers and signage.
Commercial business owners must annually provide educational information and training about composting and recycling to employees, contractors, customers, and tenants.
Determine whether your business, if it generates food, is required to donate surplus food.

Multifamily Property Managers

Applicable to buildings with five units or more.

Subscribe to organics collection service with your local hauler. Alternatively, self-haul is allowed as long as records of receipts and weight tickets are provided upon request.
Separate waste into the appropriate containers based on your hauler’s collection program.
Provide adequate number and size of curbside collection containers with correct labels.
Set up properly color-coded indoor containers and signage.
Multifamily property management must annually provide educational information and training about composting and recycling to employees, contractors, customers, and tenants.

Self-Haulers of Organic Waste

Applicable to gardeners, landscapers, construction contractors, and other commercial generators.

Complete the SB 1383 Self-Reporting Form.
Separate waste into appropriate containers – recycle, compost, landfill.
Take organic waste (landscape and pruning waste, yard trimmings, untreated/uncoated lumber, wood debris, etc.) to an approved organics processing facility.
Maintain records or receipts of self-hauled organic material.

Inspection and Enforcement

The County is required, by the State, to inspect residents and businesses annually to ensure that they are 1) subscribed to their hauler’s recycling and compost/green waste pickup services, or self-hauling their waste to a certified facility, and 2) properly sorting their waste and utilizing recycling and compost/green waste bins. If a business is a food-generating business such as a restaurant, grocery store, or wholesaler, County inspectors will inspect your business to determine whether you are in compliance with the edible food recovery requirements.

If your property is the subject of inspection and is determined to be out of compliance with the SB 1383 Organics Recycling ordinance, your business or residence may be subject to fines.

Report a Violation

To report a violation of any of the requirements, please submit a violation complaint form below.

Violation Complaint Form

Please use this form to submit an alleged violation of the State of California Senate Bill (SB) 1383. Only complete this form if the violation has occurred in the Unincorporated areas of San Mateo County only. See this map for reference.

Once submitted, the Sustainability Department will review your submission and commence the investigation within 90 days. This form will be submitted anonymously, and you will not be disclosed to the alleged violator.

If you would like the Sustainability Department to contact you on the status of the investigation, you may include your contact information in the bottom section of the form below. Once you have completed the form, please press the “Submit” button. Thank you.

"*" indicates required fields

Identity of the Alleged Violator

Name of the Business or Multi-family Property*

Address*

Street Address City ZIP / Postal Code

Phone

Alleged Violation Description*

Please describe, in detail, the alleged violation, including the Unincorporated County of San Mateo locations(s) (i.e.: North Fair Oaks, Palomar Park, etc.) and all other relevant facts known to the complainant.

File Upload

Submit all relevant photographic, videos, or documentary files as evidence to support the allegations in the complaint (if available). Please do not submit photos of inside anyone’s cart or private property.

You may submit file types listed below. If you are having issues uploading files, you may email OOS_organicsrecycling@smcgov.org for assistance.

Drop files here or

Accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, gif, png, pdf, mp3, m4a, wav, mp4, mov, mpg, wmv, avi, Max. file size: 300 MB.

Identity of any witness(es), if known

Your Contact Information (Optional)

If you would like the Sustainability Department to contact you on the status of the investigation, please enter your information below. Your contact information will remain confidential.

Name

First Last

Phone

Apply for a Waiver

Businesses and multi-family properties may be granted a and exempted from some of the SB 1383 requirements if they can provide documentation and evidence to support one of the waiver options.

Apply for Waiver