Title
Staff Report for a City of San Leandro City Council Ordinance Adding Chapter 3-24, Organics Reduction and Recycling, to the San Leandro Municipal Code to Incorporate an Ordinance of the Alameda County Waste Management Authority to Reduce the Amount of Organic and Recyclable Materials Deposited Into Landfills
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The Short-Lived Climate Pollutants Act (SB 1383) sets methane emissions reduction targets for California in a statewide effort to reduce short-lived climate pollutants. The law establishes requirements for the procurement of organic waste products and recycled content paper products. To ensure consistent implementation of SB 1383 countywide, the Alameda County Waste Management Authority (StopWaste) adopted the Organics Reduction and Recycling Ordinance (ORRO) to serve as the enforcement mechanism required by SB 1383. In order for the ORRO to apply in the City, the City must adopt an ordinance declaring that it will apply within the City of San Leandro. Staff recommends that the City Council introduce an Ordinance adopting Chapter 3-24, Organics Reduction and Recycling, to the San Leandro Municipal Code.
BACKGROUND
The Short-Lived Climate Pollutants Act (SB 1383) was signed into law by Governor Brown in 2016. The law mandates that California decrease organic waste sent to landfill by 75% from 2014 levels and increase edible food recovery by 20% by the year 2025. It also requires the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) to develop regulations to reduce organics in landfills as a source of methane. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. According to CalRecycle, approximately 20% of California's methane emissions come from organic materials such as food scraps, yard trimmings, and paper and cardboard being sent to landfill. Diverting organic waste to recycling facilities, rather than landfills, can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions ...
Click here for full text