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1. What laws require organics recycling?

There are two State laws that require organics Recycling: Assembly Bill (AB) 1826 and Senate Bill (SB) 1383.  

 SB 1383 is a State law aimed at reducing the amount of organic waste sent to landfills by 75% statewide and to recover 20% of edible food statewide that would otherwise be sent to landfills. SB 1383 requires all businesses, multi-family properties, and residents to subscribe to organic waste collection services. The regulations also require some businesses to donate excess edible food. The regulations became effective January 1, 2022. 

AB 1826 is the State law that requires mandatory organics recycling for commercial businesses that generate 2 or more cubic yards of solid waste per week. This law has been effective since January 2016 and was originally set up with a tiered approach to target the largest organic waste generators before scaling to most businesses. AB 1826 will be eclipsed by the requirements of SB 1383.

2. What is Organic Waste?

Organic waste refers to food scraps, yard waste, non-hazardous wood waste, and paper. 

In the recycling business, the term “organic waste” or “organics” has a meaning different from the term “organic” in farming. In farming, an “organic” product is one grown without chemically formulated fertilizers, growth stimulants, antibiotics, or pesticides. 

3. Why is SB 1383 important?

Organics like food scraps, yard trimmings, paper, and cardboard make up half of what Californians dump in landfills. Organic waste in landfills releases: 

• 20% of the state’s methane, a climate super pollutant 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide. 
• Air pollutants like PM 2.5, which contribute to health conditions like asthma. 

Recycling organic waste and recovering edible food is a fast track to fighting climate change and improving public health and the environment.  

By doing our part to comply with SB 1383, Ventura will help mitigate the climate crisis.

4. How do I sign up for organic waste collection service?

Please contact Donald Sealund with E.J. Harrison & Sons at 805-647-1414 ext. 4318 to sign up for food and green waste collection services. If you do not set up your services, services will be set up for you after the January 1, 2022 implementation date.

5. Who is eligible for an exemption waiver for organics recycling?

The following businesses are eligible for an exemption waiver: 

• Businesses that generate at least 2 cubic yards of solid waste and less than 20 gallons of organic waste per week; or businesses that generate less than 2 cubic yards of solid waste and less than 10 gallons of organic waste per week. 
• Businesses that have no space on-site for additional containers. 
• Businesses that utilize a landscaper to remove all green waste offsite and have no food waste.

Waivers will be assessed for both food waste and green waste service needs.  Businesses may be waived from the food waste collection requirement, the green waste collection requirement, or both, as needed.  For example, a business that does not produce any food waste may be waived from food waste collection service but may need to subscribe to green waste service, depending on the amount of landscape waste that’s generated. 

6. Is there an exemption waiver for the edible food donation requirement?

No, there is not an exemption waiver for businesses that qualify as commercial edible food generators. All commercial edible food generators are required to comply with edible food donation guidelines. Learn more about the Edible Food Recovery Program.

7. How do I apply for an exemption waiver for organic waste collection service?

Please apply for a waiver online here. The City of Ventura will review each application, verify waiver qualifications, and approve or deny the waiver request.  

8. When will waivers be issued?

Most businesses have already been issued or denied a waiver. If you believe your business is eligible for a waiver from SB 1383 requirements, please contact the Environmental Sustainability Division by email at [email protected].

9. How much will food and green waste collection services cost?

Service costs will depend on each businesses’ collection needs. A 32-gallon food waste cart serviced one time per week will cost $34.93 per month. A 95-gallon green waste cart serviced every other week will cost $18.49 per month. Listed rates current as of 9/1/2021. 

10. I have a yard waste dumpster, can I put food waste in it?

No, food waste cannot be placed in yard waste dumpsters. You may have noticed that the residential food waste program allows bags of food waste in the yard waste carts, but yard waste dumpsters and carts are not processed at the same location.

11. How can I find out more information?

If your questions have not been answered, please email [email protected], or call the Environmental Sustainability Division at (805) 652-4525 to leave a message for a call back.