California’s Mandatory Recycling & Organics Law SB 1383

SB 1383 requires California to reduce organic waste [food waste, green waste, paper

products, etc.] disposal by 75% by 2025 and recover 20% of currently disposed

edible food for human consumption and help feed more people affected by hunger

every day.

Who does this law apply to?

This law applies to local government to implement services and programs for residents,

businesses, state agencies, UCs, CSUs, Community Colleges, K-12 and other entities not

subject to local jurisdiction.

How will this law affect me?

Whether you are reading this on behalf of a household or a business, this law requires for

everyone to separate their organic waste from their trash stream and be collected from an

organic waste collection container. The law requires for jurisdictions to establish an ordinance

that requires everyone to subscribe to organic waste collection.

Important Dates

Jan. 1, 2022 Regulation takes effect and state enforcement begins

Jan. 1, 2024 Regulations require local governments to take enforcement

Jan. 1, 2025 75% reduction in organics disposal / 20% increase in edible food recovery

What TIER 1 & TIER 2 businesses and organization are covered and when do they need to comply?

 Tier 1 Businesses and Organizations: compliance date: January 1, 2022 

Supermarket (with revenue ≥ $2 million) 

Grocery store (≥10,000+ sq. ft) 

Food service provider 

Food distributor 

Wholesale food vendor 

Tier 2  Businesses and Organizations: compliance date: January 1, 2022  

Restaurant (≥ 250 seats or ≥5,000 sq. ft.) 

Hotel with onsite food facility (≥ 200 rooms) 

Health facility with onsite food facility (≥ 100 beds)

 Large events and venues

 State agency with cafeteria (≥ 250 seats or ≥5,000 sq. ft.)

 Local education agency with onsite food facility 

What does my business or organization need to do to comply? 

1. Recover edible food Safely recover the maximum amount of edible food that would otherwise be disposed of (i.e. in compost or landfill), so it can be donated to feed people instead. Businesses may not intentionally spoil food. Assess the types, quantities and frequency of excess food for donation. 

2.Keep written agreements Partner with a food donation program to donate your excess food. Sign a written agreement with each food donation program that picks up or receives donated food from your business.

3.Track and report Maintain a list of the following: Name, address, and contact information of food programs that received donated food Types of food donated Frequency and quantity of food recovered in pounds per month