New State Organic Waste Regulations Aimed at Reducing Methane Gas Emissions
Although Davis diverts 67% of its waste from the landfill, the statewide average is closer to 37%.
When organic wastes are buried in landfills, they emit 20% of the state’s methane as well as air pollutants that contribute to health conditions like asthma.
So What is Organic Waste?
As it pertains to SB 1383, the state defines “organic waste” as food, landscape trimmings, lumber, wood, cardboard (yes, cardboard), food-soiled paper products, printing and writing paper, and other plant and animal-based products. These are the types of materials that produce methane gas when buried in a landfill.
Take a close look at what’s in the trash bin nearest you right now. Is there used facial tissue in there? Paper towels? Paper plates? Paper take-out coffee cups? All of those items are organic waste and can be placed in the organic waste bin to be turned into compost. Learn more about what can go into your organics cart and what can be recycled.
Sorting your waste into the correct bin makes a difference. By keeping recyclables and organic wastes out of the landfill, you can make a positive impact on the climate crisis.
Recycling and Organic Waste Collection Service
- Recycling: All Recology Davis customers have recycling service at no additional cost. Do you need an extra recycling cart? No problem! Property owners and business managers can contact Recology Davis to request additional recycling carts for free.
- Cardboard boxes: Recology Davis collects cardboard from all customers if boxes are emptied, flattened, and stacked flat on the ground for collection. We made a short video on cardboard recycling that shows how easy this is! Some businesses and multi-family communities have a cardboard recycling bin for empty and flattened boxes. Businesses and multi-family communities that don’t have a cardboard bin and generate large volumes of cardboard should contact Recology to be added to the cardboard collection route (this is free!).
- Organic waste: All Recology Davis customers receive one organics cart that is serviced once per week (restaurants have a smaller cart that is serviced twice a week as part of their solid waste collection service. Additional carts are available for a fee. Property owners can contact Recology to request additional organics carts.
What Goes in the Bin?
- Video: How Do I Sort My Waste in Davis? A Guide for Single-Family Residential Customers
- Video: How Do I Sort My Waste in Davis? A Guide for Apartments and Multi-Family Communities
- Video: SB 1383 Training Video for Businesses
Helpful Resources:
- SB 1383 Information for Businesses (PDF)
- SB 1383 Information for Residential Property Managers (PDF)
- Video: SB 1383 For Businesses: 4 Things to Know
- January 2022 Zoom Webinar: SB 1383 Information for Davis Businesses (presentation PDF)
Educational/Training Resources:
- Educational fliers for residential tenants (PDF)
- Waste Sorting Flier for Businesses (PDF)
- SB 1383 Business Training Video (YouTube)
- Video: How Do I Sort My Waste in Davis? A Guide for Single-Family Residential Customers
- Video: How Do I Sort My Waste in Davis? A Guide for Apartments and Multi-Family Communities
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