On March 15th, RCRC joined the California State Association of Counties, League of California Cities, and several other local organizations in requesting $180 million in the state budget for local assistance to help cities and counties implement organic waste recycling programs required under regulations recently adopted by CalRecycle.
CalRecycle’s SB 1383 regulations adopted last November require local governments to reduce landfill disposal of organic waste 75 percent by 2025 and to increase edible food waste recovery by 20 percent. These new regulations are the most far-reaching solid waste management changes in decades and CalRecycle has estimated implementation will cost $20 to $40 billion over the next ten years, including the addition of 50 to 100 new organic waste recycling facilities.
Last year, the Legislature allocated $60 million by formula to local governments for SB 1383 implementation. The new budget request seeks an additional $180 million for cities and counties for local organic waste recycling program development and initial implementation activities.
The request also urges CalRecycle to develop a statewide program environmental impact report for the siting and construction of organic waste composting facilities, as this could significantly reduce the time and cost to local governments necessary to construct new composting facilities.
The budget request can be found here. For more information, please contact RCRC Policy Advocate, John Kennedy.