What is SB 1383?
SB 1383 is a state law that requires every resident and business to recycle their organic waste in an effort to reduce methane emissions.
Specifically, SB 1383:
- Establishes a target to reduce organic waste in landfills statewide by 75% by 2025.
- Requires that programs be established to rescue at least 20% of surplus food currently thrown away. The recovered food will be routed to those experiencing food insecurity.
Additional Information
- California's Short-lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy
- SB 1383: Organic Waste Methane Emissions Reductions
Why is SB 1383 necessary?
Organic waste in landfills emits 20% of the state’s methane, a pollutant 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide. By diverting organics, such as food scraps, yard trimmings, paper, and cardboard, from landfills, the state can reduce emissions and combat climate change.
How does SB 1383 impact residents and businesses?
Starting April 1, 2023, all Irvine residents will be required to separate their organic waste from the trash and place it in a container for composting.
Organic waste includes:
- Food scraps such as meat, bones, dairy, fruit, and vegetable scraps.
- Food-soiled paper such as napkins, paper towels, and uncoated cardboard.
- Yard clippings, small branches, grass trimmings, and leaves.
Learn more about the Organics Recycling Program for:
Single-family residences with three-cart service
Single-family properties with two-cart service
Food Recovery Requirements
There are two groups of large edible food generators that are defined in SB 1383 that must have a written food recovery agreement with a food recovery organization. Firstly, there are Tier 1 Commercial Edible Food Generators. This includes the following:
- Supermarkets
- Grocery stores larger than 10,000+ square feet
- Food service providers
- Food distributors
- Wholesale food vendors
The second group of establishments that are required to have a food recovery agreement are called Tier 2 Commercial Edible Food Generators. Tier 2 generators include:
- Restaurants with facilities ≥ 5,000 sq. ft. or 250+ seats
- Hotels with an on-site food facility with 200+ rooms or a restaurant with 250+ seats
- Health facilities with an on-site food facility and 100+ beds
- Venues that seat 2,000+ people
- Events that serve an average of 2,000 visitors per day
- State agency cafeterias with facilities ≥ 5,000 sq. ft. or 250+ seats
- Local education agencies with an on-site food facility
- Non-local entities, such as public universities and community colleges
View a list of local food pantries at this website, or download a list of curated local food recovery organizations here.
2022 SB 1383 Community Information Meetings
Residents of Irvine were invited to learn more about SB 1383 and the new state requirement to begin recycling food waste during two virtual town halls June 30 and July 13, 2022. Watch live recordings of the town halls below. For questions, email environmentalprograms@cityofirvine.org.
