SB 1383 mandates that all local education agencies separate organic waste for collection by implementing a three-bin system. To learn more about organic waste recycling, and why SB 1383 is so important, click here.

Organic Waste Recycling Program Requirements

According to the law, all local education agencies must:

1.      Separate organic (food, yard, and paper) waste for collection by implementing a three-bin system. This means that all areas, except restrooms, that have trash receptacles must have recycling and organic waste receptacles as well.  This creates a three-bin system: a green bin for organic waste, a blue bin for recycling and a gray bin for trash.

2.      Either sign-up for organic waste collection service (through your curbside waste management provider), or self-haul organics. If self-hauling, you must maintain records of disposal for five years.

3.      Inform employees and students of methods for preventing organic waste generation and proper disposal.  Your waste management provider and the IWMA can help provide proper labeling for bins, as well as informational fliers. 

4.      Periodically inspect organic waste containers for contaminants. There is no set number/frequency of inspections, this is up to the local education agency to determine what is effective for their school(s). CalRecycle recommends that entities may inspect more often at the beginning of the program, and slowly reduce frequency after they are satisfied with participation and contamination rates.

These methods can and should be used in tandem with waste generation prevention, on-site maintenance and composting techniques.

Organic Waste and Recycling Education

Local education agencies must inform employees and students of methods for preventing organic waste generation, and proper disposal techniques. This can take lots of different forms, and you should adapt programing to fit the specific needs of your students and staff.  Education might include:

• Food scrap sorting games and live demonstrations
• Creating a program for students to act as waste station monitors during lunch
• Distributing a food scrap recycling guide to teachers
• Making announcements about sorting requirements in the school newspaper/news station
• Involving student leadership groups with promoting the program
• Sending a letter to parents explaining the changes in our waste streams, with sorting guidelines attached
• Scheduling an in-person program through the IWMA!

There are many educational materials available from California schools who have successfully implemented these programs. Try to adapt messaging to the unique needs of your students and staff!

These programs are critical for engaging students with the resources we use daily, and provide opportunities to learn about real environmental issues facing our world. Introducing students to recycling and waste reduction in schools can instill decision-making that they carry with them for the rest of their lives. 

To help meet information requirements, your solid waste hauler and the IWMA can provide proper labeling for bins, as well as educational materials for distribution.

The IWMA also provides free in-classroom compost and recycling education programs to schools in SLO County! Learn more about our free school education programs.

Education Resources

• Amazing Waste Music Videos MrEco - YouTube
• Resources for Local Education Agencies: K-12 Public Schools and School Districts - CalRecycle Home Page

Inspection and Recordkeeping

Local education agencies are responsible for periodically inspecting waste containers for contaminants. This means inspecting your three bin system to see if users are throwing materials in the right place. There is no set number, frequency or protocol for inspections, this is up to the local education agency to determine what is effective for their school(s). The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle)recommends that schools may inspect more often at the beginning of the program, and slowly reduce frequency after they are satisfied with participation and contamination rates. If you find contaminants in containers, make an effort to inform users about proper sorting techniques, and try to point out the most common disposal mistakes.

Otherwise, there are no reporting or recordkeeping requirements for organic waste collection programs in local education agencies. Education agencies are empowered to determine what data they collect and run a program that suits the unique needs of their students, as long as it conforms to the organic waste recycling standards of SB1383.

If CalRecycle finds that a local education agency is non-compliant, they may issue a Notice of Violation, requiring compliance within 90 days. The education agency should be prepared to provide evidence of program implementation to CalRecycle, if requested.

Program Implementation Template

Schools are encouraged to download this template to guide the implementation of their organic recycling program: