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California Composting Regulation at Three Years


Have you noticed the increase in green bins over the past two years? These bins have risen in prominence thanks to SB 1383: a pollution-reduction policy aimed at limiting emissions from food sent to landfills.

In 2025, the goal for the program is to reduce organic waste disposal by 75% and to divert 20% of disposed edible food.

When food is disposed of at landfills, the decomposition emits methane and other air pollutants. This statute transforms the decomposition process into one that produces biofuels, electricity, and nutrient-rich soil. It requires green waste collection services to be provided to all residents and businesses in California.

The statute focuses on sending green waste to industrial composting facilities, but for those who would rather keep the cycle local, home composting and local small-scale community composting are ideal methods. The Santa Monica Community Gardens currently has two in ground three bin composting systems. One is at Ishihara Park Learning Garden and the other is at Marine Park Community Garden. The hubs keep the green waste cycle local by taking waste from the garden and turning it into nutrient-rich soil which is used in the community gardens to grow more produce for the community.

The Santa Monica Community Garden compost bins also serve as community composting hubs. Residents can become members of the hub (free) to gain access to the bins to drop off their scraps. Once the food scraps have turned into nutrient-rich soil, members can take the finished compost to use in their own garden. The composting hub not only limits the distance that green waste travels to be recycled, but it connects the community while educating them on sustainability. If you are interested in joining the compost hub, reach out to isabel.filson@santamonica.gov, or come by Marine Park Community Garden on Saturday, March 22, at 10 a.m. for a training session.


By Sarah Caso

California Climate Action Corps Fellow

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