In September 2016, Senate Bill (SB) 1383 (Lara, Chapter 395, Statutes of 2016) set methane emissions reduction targets for California in a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP). This requires jurisdictions to implement mandatory organic waste collection and recycling in a statewide effort to divert organic waste from landfills with the goals of: ​ 

• Reduce organic waste disposal by 50% by 2020 and 75% by 2025 ​ 
• Recover at least 20% of currently disposed of surplus edible food by 2025 

Why? 

• Organics like food scraps, yard trimmings, paper, and cardboard make up half of what Californians throw away in landfills.  
• Organic waste can be recycled through various methods of composting, such as vermicomposting and windrow composting,  to create nutrient-rich soil.
• Diverting organic material, as well as other recyclable materials, from landfills is key to preserving landfill capacity.

How

Organic waste is recyclable through composting and mulching, and through anaerobic digestion, which can produce renewable energy. To achieve California's recycling and greenhouse gas emission goals, the State has enacted Mandatory Organics Recycling regulations.  You can still compost at home for your garden!

Self-Haulers

Self-haulers that are commercial businesses, including landscapers, are required to maintain certain records if they comply with the organic waste collection service requirement by self-hauling their generated organic waste. CalRecycle developed the Recordkeeping Tool for Self-haulers to assist self-haulers in meeting the recordkeeping requirements.

Organics Recycling Facilities

For the West Slope of El Dorado, please visit the page for El Dorado Disposal.

For South Lake Tahoe, please visit South Tahoe Refuse or Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal.

Edible Food Recovery Program 

Food recovery means collecting edible food that would otherwise go to waste and redistributing it to feed people in need. To reduce food waste and address food insecurity, the County of El Dorado will be developing an edible food recovery program to support local businesses and suppliers to manage their surplus of edible food – ensuring it will go to food banks, soup kitchens, and other food recovery organizations and services to help feed local community members in need.  Click the header above to learn more about the programs and different tiers that commercial food generators fall under. 

County Ordinance 

On August 30, 2022, the Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance 5164 which establishes the regulations and requirements for the County, generators, and other entities to comply with SB 1383.

Complaints

If you believe that a commercial food generator is not complying with the County Ordinance and SB 1383, you can fill out an online complaint to let us know.

Waivers

• De Minimis Waiver - Businesses that generate a limited amount of organic waste may apply for a low-generator "de minimis" waiver if they have: 
• A) Total solid waste disposal of two cubic yards or more per week, and includes organic waste of less than 20 gallons per week; or 
• B) Total solid waste disposal of less than two cubic yards per week, and includes organic waste of less than 10 gallons per week.
  
• Space Constraint Waiver - Businesses lacking space for separate or additional green waste or food waste collection containers may request a space-constraint waiver.  To qualify, you must demonstrate that space constraints cannot be resolved by downsizing existing containers, using split containers, or other solutions. You must first work with your hauler to consider solutions to space constraints.

To apply for one of these waivers, please use this waiver application.

Waived areas in El Dorado County

Department-Issued Waivers - CalRecycle Home Page