What is Organic Waste?
Organic waste is any material that is biodegradable and comes from either a plant or an animal. Biodegradable waste is organic material that can be broken into carbon dioxide, methane or simple organic molecules. Examples of organic waste include green waste, food waste, food-soiled paper, non-hazardous wood waste, green waste, and landscape and pruning waste. Recycling organic waste will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Purpose
When organic waste is dumped in landfills, it undergoes anaerobic decomposition (due to the lack of oxygen) and produces methane. When released into the atmosphere, methane is 20 times more potent a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Organics recycling reduces greenhouse emission while conserving our natural resources. Recyclable organic waste accounts for about 40 percent of all the materials California send to landfills each year. Out of the 40 percent of organic material that sits in landfills, 30 percent could be used for compost or mulch.
SB 1383
In September 2016, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill (SB) 1383, the Short-Lived Climate Pollutants Bill, into law. Under SB 1383, local jurisdictions are required to adopt a mandatory and enforceable organic waste recycling ordinance. In addition, local jurisdictions must provide organic waste collection and recycling services to all residential, both single-family and multi-family dwellings, and commercial businesses within their boundaries. Under SB 1383, organic waste is not only limited to food waste but also includes green waste, wood waste, landscape and pruning waste, food-soiled paper waste, and fibers such as paper and cardboard.
Food Pantries
Food uncertainty affects 41 million people in the United States. There are numerous food pantries working to feed the hungry throughout LA County that need steady sources of food. Restaurants, as well as other commercial businesses, can donate their left over food to various pantries throughout Los Angeles County. Many organizations offer a free pick up service.
The City of Rosemead is participating in the FRESH SGV program, a collaboration with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
(SGVCOG). Together, we've partnered with three local nonprofits to launch regional food recovery hubs. Hubs collect surplus food
from grocery stores and restaurants and redistribute it to smaller food banks, food pantries, or directly to the community to reduce
food waste and food insecurity in our community.
Each hub serves a subregion within the San Gabriel Valley. The subregional hubs, their service areas, and their contact information
are listed below:
- Foothill Unity Center, Inc. ○ Serving: Baldwin Park, Duarte, Irwindale, La Cañada-Flintridge, and Monrovia ○ Email: [email protected] ○ Phone: (626) 650-1268
- Heart of Compassion ○ Serving: Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, and South El Monte ○ Email: [email protected] ○ Phone: (323) 727-7997
- God’s Pantry ○ Serving: Azusa, Covina, Glendora, and Pomona ○ Email: [email protected] ○ Phone:(909) 967-5555
Lean more at sgvcog.org/regional-food-recovery-program.
How do I contact my hauler?
Republic Services is the franchise hauler within the City. To learn more about Organic Waste Recycling, call Republic Services at 800-299-4898.
Additional Resources
For additional information, please visit the below California Department of Resources, Recycling, and Recovery (CalRecycle) websites: