Food Scraps
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Residents across California are seeing changes to the way organic materials, such as food scraps and yard waste, are disposed of and recycled. Senate Bill (SB) 1383 requires all California jurisdictions to reduce the amount of organic waste that ends up in landfills and to recover surplus edible food. SB 1383 is a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants like methane — a greenhouse gas that is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
Organic waste accounts for more than a third of the material in California’s waste stream. Californians throw away tons of food scraps or food waste each year, representing about 18 percent of all the material that goes to landfills. Greenhouse gas emissions caused by the decomposition of organic material in landfills contribute to global climate change. By 2025, California aims to reduce 75% of organic waste in landfills and save at least 20% of uneaten food to feed those in need, instead of letting it go to waste.
Participation in the recovery and recycling of organic waste helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and create valuable resources such as compost, renewable energy, and mulch.
What Does This Mean for Me?
Single-Family and Multi-Family Residences
Residents are required to comply with organic waste programs provided by their jurisdiction. You can find out how your specific city is implementing SB 1383 and what that means for residents by visiting your city’s website.
Businesses
All commercial properties are required to have organic waste recycling programs in place unless they have obtained a waiver from their jurisdiction. Visit your jurisdiction's website for information on eligibility and how to apply. Additionally, certain businesses and institutions identified under the law are required to recover and donate surplus food that would otherwise be thrown away, and maintain food donation records. These businesses/institutions will be contacted by the Santa Clara County Food Recovery Program. To see if this law applies to your business, visit the Program website.
- Am I required to participate? What if I don’t change anything about how I dispose of my trash?
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Yes, everyone is required to participate. If you choose not to participate, you may receive contamination charges from your waste collection service provider. As of January 2024, the state allows jurisdictions, at their discretion, to fine residents and businesses who are not participating in the city's established organics recycling program.
- What is organic waste?
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Organic waste is any biodegradable material that comes from a plant or animal. This includes items like:
- Food scraps
- Yard waste
- Lumber, scrap wood, and plywood
- Food-soiled paper waste
When organic waste is diverted from the landfill, methane emissions are reduced — making our community a healthier place. Organic waste can be used to create eco-friendly products such as mulch, compost, renewable energy, and other natural soil amendments.
- In my jurisdiction, I collect my food scraps in a separate container in my kitchen. How can I keep it clean and reduce odors?
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The odor released from kitchen food scraps is a common concern. Here are some tips to help prevent and reduce odors:
- Line your container with newspaper or brown paper bags to absorb the moisture and keep the container clean
- Sprinkle baking soda on the lining or lightly spray with a mixture of tea tree oil and water
- Store your container in a cool place (like the fridge or freezer)
- Invest in a high-quality food scrap bin with charcoal filters
- Empty your food scraps bin every 2-3 days
- Wait to clean out the fridge and throw out food scraps until the night before garbage collection day
- Are there any alternative ways of disposing of food scraps?
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Yes! Home composting is an effective and efficient way to reduce your waste stream at home. By composting, you are creating a valuable soil amendment that can benefit your landscape and boost plant growth. View CalRecycle’s instructions to learn more about composting at home.
Santa Clara County’s Composting Education Program is a partnership with the cities and County of Santa Clara that seeks to educate our community about composting. Learn more about workshops, upcoming events, and compost pick up.
- What are some other ways I can reduce food waste?
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- Buy only what you need at the grocery store. Create meal plans and shopping lists before your trip so you shop strategically.
- Store food wisely. Move older products to the front of your pantry or fridge and new ones to the back. Use airtight containers to keep open food fresh in the fridge and ensure packets are closed to stop insects from getting in.
- Pay attention to food labeling. There’s a difference between “best before” and “use-by” dates.
- Eat your leftovers. If you don’t eat everything you make, freeze it for later or use the leftovers as an ingredient in another meal.
- Donate food that would otherwise be wasted. For example, social media platforms (like Nextdoor) can connect neighbors with each other and with local businesses so surplus food can be shared, not thrown away.
- Learn more about organic waste reduction:
- I am a Santa Clara County resident. Who collects my garbage?
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Santa Clara County haulers vary by jurisdiction. Whether you reside in a Santa Clara County City or an unincorporated area, find your hauler’s information at ReduceWaste.org by selecting your jurisdiction from the list on the left-hand side of the webpage.
- My jurisdiction doesn’t require that I separate my organic waste from my garbage. Why not?
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Depending on your jurisdiction, some residents may participate in a multi-cart system and others may have mixed waste carts. For cities that do not require that residents separate organic waste at the source (i.e. your home), the waste goes into a high diversion facility, which is a facility designed to separate organic waste from garbage after it arrives at the site.
- How do I know what goes in each of my carts?
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The best way to identify which items go in each cart is to look at the labels on your curbside cart and/or reach out to your specific city or hauler. Find your hauler’s information at ReduceWaste.org by selecting your jurisdiction from the list on the left-hand side of the webpage.
- Where does recovered surplus edible food go?
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Under SB 1383, certain businesses and institutions must recover any surplus edible food, often by donating it to a food recovery organization or service. This food is typically given to food insecure neighbors across Santa Clara County.
- How do I sort waste in public spaces?
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The public waste sorting options available will vary depending on where you are. If you’re out and about and notice that separate bins for organic and recyclable materials are available, please pay attention to the labels on those bins and sort your waste accordingly.