Proper Sorting

The Importance of Proper Sorting

‍Our split trucks keep materials separated—yes, they really do! Our collection vehicles are specially designed with split bodies to keep different materials apart from the start. Once collected, each type of material is emptied separately at the appropriate processing facilities, ensuring proper sorting every step of the way.

The cleanest and most efficient sorting starts with you, the generator.

• Please remember to place recyclable materials only in your blue split or dedicated recyclables carts and/or bins.
• Empty and rinse all recyclable plastic, metal and glass food containers to prevent contamination.
• Remember, Garbage, Food Scraps, Yard Trimmings and Hazardous Waste, such as household batteries and lightbulbs, DO NOT belong in any Recycling container! Click here for a list of what belongs in each cart. Click here for a list of common contaminants.

A Timeline of California Waste and Recycling Regulations*

1989 – AB 939 established the California Integrated Waste Management Act

which required each city or county plan to include an implementation schedule which shows a diversion of 25 percent of all solid waste from landfills by January 1, 1995; and, diversion of 50 percent of all solid waste by January 1, 2000. Diversion was to be accomplished through source reduction, recycling, and composting activities.

January 2012 – AB 341 was signed and established a new statewide goal of 75 percent recycling through source reduction, recycling, and composting by 2020.

October 2014 – Governor Brown signs AB 1826, requiring that on and after January 1, 2016, local jurisdictions across the state implement an organic waste recycling program to divert organic waste (organics) generated by businesses (including multifamily residential dwellings that consist of five or more units) based upon the amount of waste they produce.

Beginning January 1, 2022 – organics recycling is required for all residents, multi-family complexes, and businesses per state law (Senate Bill 1383). Are you compliant? Contact us for an onsite waste and recycling assessment to help determine adequate service levels for your business. Click here for more information regarding SB 1383.

September 2016 – Governor Brown signed SB 1383, establishing targets to achieve a 50 percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2020 and a 75 percent reduction by 2025. An additional target of SB 1383 is that 20 percent of currently disposed edible food is recovered for human consumption by 2025.

July 2017 – China announced “National Sword,” a change in its import policies that has a profound impact on recycling efforts in California. Strict new contaminant thresholds went into effect January, 2018 and have been applied to certain grades of paper, and import bans on mixed paper and various grades of post-consumer plastics, resulting in very limited markets for these materials. (“In 2017, the U.S. sent more than 200,000 tons of mixed paper and about 75,000 tons of scrap plastics to China.**)

November 2020 – SB1383 – Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCP) regulations were approved by the Office of Administrative Law. SB1383 will fight climate change by requiring a 75% reduction in organic waste disposal and have at least 20% of currently disposed of surplus food rescued for consumption by people by 2025. Click here for more information about SB1383 (SLCP).

When in Doubt, Find Out!

If you have any questions regarding your collection services, please contact us.

Together we can all make a difference. We thank you for your efforts!

SOURCES:

*https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov

**https://www.waste360.com “China’s Changing Import Regulations – What Does It All Mean?

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