SB 1383 – Multifamily

Did you know that organic waste makes up most of the landfilled material in California?

Great news: Our food waste recycling program is here for multifamily properties in Concord, Pittsburg, and Oakley. 

Our team is coordinating with the other jurisdictions to finalize the start date for the remaining service areas. Stay tuned for updates!

SB1383 - Residential Comparison Chart

What is Senate Bill (SB 1383)

SB 1383 is a recent state law that makes it mandatory for residents to recycle their organics weekly.

The State has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving human health, and creating clean jobs that support resilient local economies. Implementing the statewide plan under SB 1383 will reduce short-lived, harmful, superpollutants with significant warming impacts, and is essential to achieving California’s climate goals.

Organic waste, such as food scraps, yard trimmings, paper, and cardboard, make up half of what Californians send to landfills. Organic waste in landfills emits 20% of the State’s methane, a climate super pollutant 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

The law seeks to achieve a 75% reduction in the statement disposal of organic waste.

How an Apartment Complex or Homeowners Association Can Comply

Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery (MDRR) can assist you in meeting the requirements for the mandatory organics recycling program. MDRR launched its multifamily food waste program for Concord, Pittsburg, and Oakley in early March of this year.

If your location has not yet implemented the program, please get in touch with MDRR for assistance.

We are here to help! Contact us by calling us at  (925) 682-9113 or by submitting a ticket.

Our representative will assist you in initiating an organic recycling program. Our team will help you customize the level of organic recycling service and container size that best fits your property’s needs. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

All organic materials are collected by MDRR recycling trucks and transported to our facility in Pittsburg for preprocessing. Afterward, the materials are sent to a compost facility, where they are converted into nutrient-rich compost that improves soil quality.

Guides and Outreach

Find tools tailored to help you educate proper sorting and increase diversion. Download our latest newsletter, guides, and container signage. 

Guides and Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What material is recyclable in the organics program?

Meat, fish, poultry, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, bread, pasta, rice, grains, plate scrapings, food-soiled paper, grass, leaves, small branches, shrubbery, plants, weeds, and garden trimmings. Please refer to our What Goes Where? for the complete list of acceptable and unacceptable items.

Who made this mandatory?

The State of California. All jurisdictions MUST comply with this law. Enforcement includes fines, which are required per the mandate.

As a multifamily property owner or resident, must I recycle my organics when the time comes?

Yes, the state regulations require all jurisdictions to provide organic waste collection services to all multifamily residences of all sizes and require participation.

Does the state law apply the “Good Faith Effort” when determining compliance like other state laws?

Unfortunately, no. SB 1383 mandates organics waste recycling and has clear diversion targets on a relatively short timeline.  

Will MDRR provide a container?

Yes, we will provide the outside collections container.

Is there a way to be exempt from SB 1383?

Yes! Depending on your space constraints. Please note: this will be reviewed according to the State of California’s guidelines.

Space Constraints: There are a few options for you. We can set you up for a smaller garbage receptacle since you will divert organic material from the container. We can also send out some from our team to look at placement options to help you.

Contact our office! We are here to help and will walk you through to ensure you meet the exemption criteria.

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