Organics Recycling – SB 1383

The State of California has a mandate – Senate Bill 1383 – to divert organic materials like food and green waste from landfills to purposeful uses such as compost, mulch, and renewable energy. To continue Santa Monica’s commitment to environmental stewardship and to achieve our zero waste goal by 2030, the City Council adopted a new Mandatory Recycling Ordinance for Santa Monica on November 9, 2021.

Under the ordinance, all Santa Monica households and commercial customers are required to separate waste using a three-bin system: black for refuse, blue for recycling (cans, bottles, clean cardboard and paper), and green for organics and compost (food scraps, yard waste, soiled paper and cardboard) beginning January 1, 2022. The green bin serves a wider use for all organics, including food waste, food-soiled paper waste that is mixed in with food waste, and green waste (e.g., landscape and yard waste).

The requirement went into effect on January 1, 2022 with enforcement to follow. There are limited waivers for the organics recycling mandate, including businesses and residents that collect a minimal amount of organics per week or if a customer’s building lacks adequate space for the required containers (subject to approval by the City).

To learn more about how to recycle your organic waste, listen to the KCRW and Santa Monica Daily Press podcasts on organics recycling.

To view the City’s Mandatory Recycling Ordinance, click here.

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FAQ

Why the new organics recycling law?

While the City sends properly sorted, clean, and dry recyclable materials placed in the blue containers to recycling facilities, the materials discarded in the black trash containers go to landfills and are buried. Over time, most landfilled materials, including food and yard materials, break down and release a gas called methane into the atmosphere.

Methane is a major contributor to climate change because it is significantly more potent than carbon dioxide. Therefore, the State of California approved a new law that requires every person in the state to recycle organics into a green container. By diverting organics into our green containers this valuable reusable resource will be sent to a facility which turns it into compost and mulch to revitalize our landscapes and gardens or renewable energy to replace fossil fuel energy. Everyone wins – people and nature!

What types of materials go in which bins?

To see an example of what types of materials go into the green, blue, or black bins, check out our guide.

Who can request a green organics container?

The account holder of the City's utility bill for water, sewer, and solid waste can request a green organics container. Please have the utility account number ready when requesting a green container. Tenants or renters cannot make the request, but can notify their property owner to contact the City.

What are the consequences of not complying with the City's new recycling law? Will I get a fine?

Many residents in the City already have the green container and have been using it for years, but we understand this is a change for many others and will take some time to get used to putting food and landscaping materials together in the green container. The City's primarily focus will be on education and outreach with our goal being to help residents and businesses learn how to recycle properly and minimize the amount of waste going to the landfill. The City does have the ability to issue citations ranging from $100-$500 per violation, but they will be issued as a last resort to locations that are repeat violators despite multiple attempts of contacting the resident/business and providing multiple rounds of education and inspections. We do not wish to issue citations if at all avoidable.

What if I have additional questions regarding the new organics recycling law?

If you have any additional recycling questions, or need recycling educational materials or replacement decals for your containers, please email us at zerowaste@santamonica.gov. We look forward to hearing from you.

How do I separate food waste in my home? Where do I put it? Where can I find a container to hold food waste in my home before collection day?

It's actually quite easy: Instead of putting your food scraps or leftover foods in your trash can, you now place them in a separate container. The container can be a small trash can with a lid, or if you don't cook often or generate much food waste, you can use a large plastic takeout container with a lid or even a large freezer bag. Some people prefer to empty their food scraps directly into the City's green container every day; others choose to keep the food scraps at home or in the freezer until collection day. Either way is perfectly fine.

We recommend a container with a lid to keep things mess-free and odor-free. You can also look for a kitchen scrap bucket in stores or online, or purchase one from the City at a discounted price of $17.68. Residents tell us they like the ones from the City because it has a vented lid to keep odor at bay, a handle for easy carrying, and is dishwasher safe.

To purchase a kitchen scrap bucket from the City, send your request to zerowaste@santamonica.gov or call us at (310) 458-2246 (option 1). Upon payment, you will pick up your bucket at the City Yards Facility located at 2500 Michigan Ave, Building A (the large gray one).

You can place food scraps directly into your kitchen food scrap container, or you can line it with a paper bag. Plastic bags cannot be recycled and cannot be placed in the green container. If you must use a sturdier bag, use one labeled "100% compostable," such as BioBags. (See answer for the next question for further details.)

What bags are acceptable in a green container? Can we use compostable bags for food scraps? Where can I buy compostable bags?

You can use compostable (not biodegradable) bags for food scraps.
The most sustainable and recommended option is to use no bags at all (and mix with landscape green materials if available, ripped newspaper, or shredded cardboard.
The second best option is to use a paper bag, or two or three due to moisture content.
The third option is to use a compostable bag.

Remember:

For a bag to be truly compostable, all of following three criteria must be met: they must be labeled 100% compostable, BPI certified, and meet ASTM-D6400 standards.
Examples are the compostable bags made by BioBag and EcoSafe. They're currently sold in major retailers such as Target, Home Depot, or Amazon. Check online for store availability.