California's State Organics Law

Under California state law, residents of SLO County are required to participate in curbside organics recycling. This is an easy step to add to your routine: simply place all kitchen food scraps in your curbside green bin, and they will be composted locally!

Sending food scraps to the landfill emits methane, a highly potent greenhouse gas. Methane is a major culprit

Recycling your food scraps in your green bin helps our local farms by making organic compost, and is one of the easiest things you can do to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

If you live in a single family home:

Residents in San Luis Obispo County are automatically enrolled in green bin service. If you do not have a green bin, please contact your solid waste hauler.

If you live in a multifamily complex:

If you live in a multifamily complex, your property management is required to provide a green bin.  Ask them where to find it! No green service? Give us a call!

What can go in my green bin? 

Generally, all organic waste should be placed in your green bin. Organic waste just means anything from plant and animal matter that gets thrown away. This includes:

• Food scraps: fruit, vegetables, bread, pasta, meat, poultry and cheese
• Coffee grounds
• Meat bones
• Food soiled paper products (like paper towels, napkins & pizza boxes)
• Yard trimmings
• And more!

Questions about what can go in your bin? Check out our recycling guide, or give us a call at (805) 782-8530.

Learn more about SB 1383 here. 

SB 1383 is a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP). Specifically, the law sets the following targets:

• Reduce statewide disposal of organic waste by 50% by January 1, 2020 (based on 2014 levels).
• Reduce statewide disposal of organic waste by 75% by January 1, 2025 (based on 2014 levels).
• Recover a minimum of 20% edible food safe for human consumption, which is currently being disposed of, by 2025.

CalRecycle is the state agency responsible for creating the regulatory standards for SB 1383:

• Effective January 1, 2022: CalRecycle’s regulations to meet statewide organics reduction and food recovery requirements take effect. Enforcement provisions, including penalties for non-compliance issued by the state, also take effect.
• Effective January 1, 2024: Regulations may require local jurisdictions to impose penalties for non-compliance on regulated entities subject to their authority.