Organics Recycling Program in Bellflower
SB 1383 requires all commercial customers and multi-family properties to participate in an organic material collection program as of January 1, 2022. CR&R Environmental Services and the City of Bellflower launched a Food Scrap and Landscaping Recycling Program that conveniently collects organic waste materials from multi-family and commercial properties and transports them to a composting facility. By diverting organic material from landfills, we will help reduce negative environmental impacts created by greenhouse gas emissions. To establish these required recycling services now, please contact CR&R Environmental Services at bellflower_recycles@crrmail.com or (562) 944-4716.
For more information on SB 1383 and other State requirements, visit www.calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/slcp
Tips For Using Your Organics Cart:
• Start with yard trimmings such as leaves, grass clippings, and/or newspaper at the bottom of your organics cart to prevent food scraps from being trapped.
• Alternate layering of food scraps and yard trimmings will help keep your cart cleaner.
• Compostable bags are optional and available at local retailers. Other types of plastic bags are not accepted. You may also line your cart with newspaper or paper bags.
Items NOT Accepted in Organics Carts: Recyclables (plastic, glass, metal), Styrofoam, bones, waxed / coated paper, pet waste, palm fronds, and trash.
To keep your organics cart clean, compostable bags can be found at your local retailers. Bags are not necessary but will assist in maintaining your cart clean and odor free. The use of regular bags will lead to contamination and is prohibited. For more info visit: https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/organics |
Rates for Organics Processing
The expanded residential organics program allows the City to remain in compliance with the new solid waste regulations from the State of California. Starting January 1, 2022, your new cart set rate will increase $3.35 per month for expanded organics collection, processing and outreach required by SB 1383 legislation.
More information regarding the new organic waste recycling program will arrive in your November CR&R residential billing.
For additional details about recycling services, visit CR&R’s website at https://crrwasteservices.com/
Senate Bill 1383 - Commercial Business Impact
California’s recycling laws are changing in 2022 and we are trying to get the word out to all businesses and commercial property owners in the City of Bellflower. In September 2016, Governor Brown signed SB 1383 establishing methane emissions reduction targets in a statewide effort to reduce emissions. In accordance with this law, all jurisdictions must provide organic waste collection services to all residential and commercial customers by January 1, 2022, to ensure organic material is diverted from the landfills.
Starting on January 1, 2022, businesses, schools, hospitals, government buildings, multi-family dwellings (5+ units) and other commercial businesses must begin separating and recycling their organic waste (food waste, green waste, landscape and pruning waste, and nonhazardous wood waste); unless if a de minimis waiver or physical space waiver is granted.
Examples of “food waste” includes fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, seafood, shellfish, bones (in small amounts), rice, beans, pasta, bread, cheese, and eggshells. Food waste also includes food-soiled paper, such as compostable paper plates, paper coffee cups, napkins, pizza boxes, and milk cartons.
What action is needed by businesses?
Businesses are required to either: Subscribe to and participate in the City’s organic waste collection service OR self-haul organic waste to an organic waste processing facility that meets the diversion requirements required by SB 1383. Self-haulers must keep a record of the amount of organic waste delivered to each processing facility where the organic waste was taken.
Businesses must also provide collection containers for organic waste and recyclables in all areas where disposal containers are provided for customers, except in restrooms. However, if a business does not generate any of the materials that would be collected in a specific container, then it does not have to provide that particular container.
Internal containers must conform to the proper color requirements or labeling requirements.
Business are not required to replace internal containers that do not comply with the color requirements until the containers are either no longer functional or by December 31, 2035, whichever comes first.
To reduce contamination, businesses must provide education to employees, contractors, tenants, and customers regarding how to properly sort organic material into the correct containers.
Businesses must periodically:
- Inspect organic waste containers for contamination.
- Inform employees if containers are contaminated.
- Instruct employees about how to properly sort material into the correct containers and spot check containers regularly.
Businesses must provide organic waste collection services for:
- Employees, Tenants, Contractors and Customers
- AND – also annually educate employees, contractors, customers, and tenants on how to properly sort organic waste into the correct bins
- AND - provide information to new tenants within 14 days of occupation of the premises on how to source separate their organic waste to aid in compliance.
For more information about the law you may visit: https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/slcp/collection
To contact the City’s solid waste and recycling service provider, you may visit CR&R’s website at https://crrwasteservices.com/contact-us/
If you have any questions regarding our efforts to implement the required organics recycling program here in Bellflower, you may contact the Public Works Department at: 562-804-1424, ext. 2226.
