Reforming Organic Waste Franchise Agreements to Support Community Composting Under SB 1383
Abstract
California’s SB 1383 addresses methane pollution by requiring jurisdictions to divert organic waste from landfills. To meet the bill’s requirements, many jurisdictions signed exclusive franchise agreements with industrial waste haulers to collect garbage, recycling, and organic waste. These agreements inadvertently exclude community composters from collecting organic waste in their communities. Community composters provide desirable environmental, social, and economic outcomes compared to industrial alternatives. This policy brief recommends that jurisdictions and California reevaluate current waste management agreements, adopt ordinances requiring use of community compost products, establish a “small hauler exemption”, and create a certification scheme for community composters.
Authorship
This brief was authored by Kiri Basher ([email protected]).
The views, opinions and recommendations expressed in this policy brief are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Graduate Program of Environmental Policy and Management at UC Davis.