Cal Cities calls for $180 million in funding to implement key organic waste regulations

The League of California Cities, along with a coalition of local government associations, is calling on the state to include $180 million in the 2022-23 State Budget to help cities and counties develop and implement SB 1383 (Lara, 2016) organic waste recycling programs.

SB 1383 aims to reduce landfill disposal of organic waste by 75% and to increase edible food waste recovery by 20%. Once in landfills, food waste generates methane, a greenhouse gas dramatically more potent than carbon dioxide. 

The requested $180 million in funding would build on the $60 million in grant funding approved by the Legislature in 2021, the largest amount ever set aside for cities in a single fiscal year for SB 1383 implementation. Additional funding for the grant program would help local governments implement collection, education, outreach, edible food recovery, and procurement activities, as well as capacity planning.

SB 1383 programs will take several years to fully develop. The first local implementation and compliance operation reports are due April 1, 2022. CalRecycle has developed several related tools and resources, including an Initial Jurisdiction Compliance Reporting Tool, to help cities generate these reports. Questions about the reporting process can be sent to a CalRecycle liaison.

For more information about the budget ask or for a sample support letter, please contact your regional public affairs manager. Additional priority legislative issues will be covered during a legislative briefing on March 24 at 9:30 a.m.