At the 23rd Annual Irvine Earth Village Festival, Waste Management Recycling Services (WM) brought a large number of giveaways such as small kitchen waste bins, food containers, water bottles, and more. Many people lined up to receive these items and left the event with their hands full.
WM’s Strategic Communications Manager, Irene Alonzo, introduced at the event on October 5th, “We are not only responsible for managing landfills, but also recycling yard waste that people put in their green roadside bins, composting it, or using it as cover material. Now, this waste is no longer sent to landfills, which reduces methane emissions and saves landfill space.”
According to California’s SB1383 regulations, starting from 2022, organic materials such as kitchen waste, yard waste, and paper contaminated with food must be collected separately to achieve the state’s goal of reducing organic waste sent to landfills by 75% by 2025 compared to 2014 levels, meaning more than 20 million tons of waste need to be diverted from landfills. The law also requires 20% of edible food to be redistributed to Californians in need.
Previously, kitchen waste and other rubbish would be buried in landfills along with regular garbage, incurring costs for disposal. Alonzo stated, “Now, businesses and individuals are required to separate food waste and yard waste, placing them in designated bins; if the food is still edible, it should be donated to reusable locations.”
The state law mandates compliance with garbage sorting rules, with some garbage trucks equipped with cameras to monitor proper disposal. Enforcement varies, with some areas focusing on education while others may strictly enforce fines or refuse to collect improperly sorted waste.
While cities or waste companies have reduced landfill waste and saved landfill costs, residents and businesses have had to pay higher garbage fees. For instance, Irvine residents saw their bills increase from $41 in December 2023 to $67, a 63% rise. This increase was due to the additional garbage bin residents were provided, necessitating more frequent waste collection at each household.
“Most residents in Irvine may have noticed changes in garbage rates dictated by contracts between the city, residential areas, and recycling companies, leading to increased expenses,” Alonzo explained. The new law went into effect in January of this year, with varying requirements across cities, some of which may not have yet been implemented. “Many people are seeing new costs, but the climate benefits should also be considered.”
Organic waste, including kitchen and yard green waste, falls into three categories: food residue like meat, bones, dairy, eggshells, coffee grounds, tea bags, fruits, and vegetables; food-soiled paper such as napkins and unwaxed cardboard; yard waste like untreated grass, leaves, plants, and small branches.
Items not allowed in organic waste bins (typically green) include plastic or biodegradable bags, utensils, plastic containers, foam containers, beverage cans, glass or ceramic items, and food packaging bags like chip bags.
Alonzo mentioned that WM is actively involved in educating the public on garbage sorting practices and provides residents with small kitchen waste recycling bins. Each city may have different approaches, and waste recycling companies also vary in their methods.
Since the new law’s implementation, residents have encountered practical issues such as organic waste rotting and attracting pests during hot weather. Alonzo advised a transition period, suggesting methods like layering yard waste at the bottom of the bin or using opened paper shopping bags; she personally stores food waste in paper bags in the freezer until collection day.
Other tips mentioned include sprinkling baking soda in the food waste bin, placing odor-absorbing substances like citrus peels, and layering garbage with newspaper to manage odors. Alonzo emphasized that this is a learning process for everyone, and new technologies or methods may emerge over time to handle waste more efficiently.
Alonzo also recommended residents promptly replace cracked or damaged bins and keep them covered to prevent attracting insects or other organisms.