In the next few years, trash fees in Long Beach are expected to double as the City works to comply with Senate Bill 1483, a state law that requires cities to divert a portion of their organic waste.
SB1483, which was signed into law in 2016, is set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2022, when cities will be held liable for diverting a certain portion of organic materials and food scraps from their waste stream.
Organic materials are unique in their contribution to climate change in that they emit methane gas as they decompose, a super-pollutant that’s 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
But thus far, no outside funding exists for the program, meaning costs will have to be shouldered by the City and its residents.
“We have this issue of climate change facing us right now, so I understand the impetus behind the legislation,” Councilmember Al Austin said. “But obviously, it comes with passing on a major cost and operational challenge to the city and to cities across the state.”
California doesn’t have infrastructure to comply with organics diversion
Though all cities are expected to come into compliance with the law, California only has the capacity to deal with about 50% of the waste that would be produced as a result of the law, CalRecycle representative Jaenna Wessling said.
There are not enough facilities to process organic materials in the region and Southern California will be particularly impacted. City staff went as far as considering shipping their organic waste out of state to be processed, said Deputy Director of Environmental Services Diko Melkonian.
Most facilities that do exist only process food waste or yard debris, not a combination of the two. City staff have been unable to identify a location that could process the combined waste in Los Angeles County. If they can’t find somewhere that takes both, residents could end up with two extra bins, and added costs.
“Basically, we’ve been set up for failure,” Councilmember Suzie Price said.
In addition, Wessling noted that costs for trash trucks are increasing. The same is true of the costs for trash cans and outdoor collection containers, which are limited in supply.
State could delay deadline given impact of pandemic
Long Beach will be subject to penalties if it’s not compliant by Jan 1, 2022. Wessling said that the State is using a “good faith” approach. Rather than require full compliance, cities must report their progress so far and show they’re moving towards the State’s goals.
Price said that, though the legislation was “very well intended,” she hoped that the state would provide some wiggle room given the lack of waste processing infrastructure in the region.
Legislators may also extend the deadline given the impacts of COVID-19, but no such extension has been passed thus far.
“I know it’s always a challenge when you don’t have money,” Councilmember Suely Saro said. “But that’s never stopped us before.”
See Related:
