When you think of recycling, items like cardboard, cans, bottles, and plastic probably come to mind. But organic waste, like leftover food or yard trimmings, is recyclable too. Not only is recycling these items better for the environment, but it is also now the law.

SB 1383 was signed into California law in 2016 as part of the state’s broader effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) is working with businesses and local jurisdictions, including the City of Folsom, to divert up to 26 million tons of organic material from landfills annually by 2025 to reduce methane emissions and support the state’s climate change goals.

HOW WILL FOLSOM ADDRESS THESE CHALLENGES?

• Collection and Recycling: Starting in the summer of 2022, the City of Folsom will provide mandatory organic waste collection services to all residents. Food scraps and food-soiled paper will be mixed with your green waste for composting.
• Using Recycled Organics Products: Beginning in 2022, the City of Folsom will be required to annually purchase mandated amounts of the products made from this recycled organic material, such as compost, renewable energy, mulch, and recycled paper.
• Food Recovery: Starting in 2022, certain businesses that generate edible food must disburse it to food recovery organizations.
• Enforcement: As mandated by SB 1383, the City of Folsom must adopt an ordinance to enforce the provisions in the law on residents and businesses to comply with the state’s climate goals and the 75% organic waste diversion goal.
• Cost Recovery: In response to the future regulatory requirements, the City of Folsom Solid Waste Division conducted a comprehensive rate study to determine revenue requirements and rate structures for new operational and capital needs. The rate study recommends that the City of Folsom increase solid waste utility rates so that the city’s operating and capital expenses match the revenues received from customers. Learn more. 

WHY IS ORGANIC WASTE DISPOSAL IMPORTANT?

• Decompostion of food waste and other organic materials in landfills produces methane, a greenhouse gas over 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
• Methane and other pollutants contribute to public health problems, including heart disease and asthma. • Organics, such as food scraps, yard trimmings, paper, and cardboard, make up half of what Californians discard in landfills.
• Reductions of short-lived climate pollutant emissions, including methane, will have the fastest impact on the climate crisis.

For more information about SB 1383, visit www.folsom.ca.us/organics or contact the City of Folsom Recycling Division at solidwaste@folsom.ca.us or 916-461-6730