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Reduce Waste at the Workplace
Throwing your waste in the trash costs your business money. Businesses around San Leandro are cutting their garbage bills in half by following the 4 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, & Rot.
Cut your garbage bill by following these steps:
- Reduce – Don’t purchase more than you need
- Reuse – Reuse packaging materials, mugs, and office supplies
- Recycle – Plastic, paper, and glass products go in your recycle bin
- Rot – Food scraps, soiled paper, paper towels, and plan debris go in your organics bin
SB1383: IT’S MANDATORY.
The City of San Leandro, in collaboration with Alameda County public agency StopWaste, developed an ordinance to implement the requirements of the new California State law SB 1383. The Organics Reduction and Recycling Ordinance (ORRO) would replace the Mandatory Recycling Ordinance (MRO) beginning January 1st, 2022. Review the ordinance from the November 1, 2021 City Council meeting.
More information about the rules for residents, businesses, institutions, and multi-family properties under the new ordinance can be found at the StopWaste State and Local Organics & Recycling Law page.
What does this mean for my business, institution, or multifamily property?
Your site must:
- Subscribe to curbside compost and recycling collection service in addition to garbage*
- Place color-coded and labeled compost and recycling containers next to all indoor garbage containers (excluding restrooms)
- Sort materials into the proper bins
- Compost: Food scraps, compostable paper, and plant waste
- Recycling: Cardboard, paper, bottles, and cans
- Do not place garbage into the compost or recycling bins
- Educate employees, contractors, tenants, and students about the law at least annually
- Commercial properties: Periodically inspect bins and provide feedback to employees and contractors about incorrectly placed items
- Residential & commercial property managers: Inform tenants no later than 14 days after move-in and at least 14 days prior to move-out about the rules
- Some businesses that generate surplus edible food—such as grocery stores, food distributors, and large restaurants—must have a written agreement with a food recovery organization or service to donate edible surplus food to feed people. See “Food recovery & donation information” at StopWaste.
*Don't have compost or recycling collection service? You must either:
- Order service from your collection service provider
- Upload documentation of shared service, back-hauling, or self-hauling of materials
- Apply for a waiver for organics collection
Free resources to help you comply with SB1383 here at StopWaste.
FAQS: SB 1383 FOOD DONATION REQUIREMENTS
What are the new requirements of the Organics Reduction and Recycling Ordinance (ORRO) compared to the current Mandatory Recycling Ordinance (MRO)?
The edible food recovery components for commercial edible food generators and food recovery organizations/service are the main “new” requirements. Other business and multifamily internal requirements that are different than the MRO include:
- the provision of color-coded, labeled bins in customer areas (in common areas for multifamily), except for in restrooms;
- to the extent practical, businesses should also prohibit employees from placing materials in improper containers and periodically inspect their internal containers for contamination and inform employees if containers are contaminated.
How is “surplus edible food” defined?
The definition of “edible food” is taken from the SB 1383 Regulations and means food intended for human consumption. It clearly states that nothing requires or authorizes the recovery of edible food that does not meet food safety standards.
Will food donations be tax deductible?
Food donated to non-profit food recovery organizations will continue to be eligible for tax deductions.
Will donors receive assistance with the transportation of surplus food to those in need?
Historically, most food recovery organizations have picked up food donations from donors, but this may shift in the future. There are also a growing number of “food recovery services” that can serve as a liaison between donors and food recovery organizations to assist with transportation.