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SB 1383-Business Organics Recycling Requirements

SB 1383 expands on the existing law, AB 1826, Mandatory Commerical Organics Recycling, which began on April 1, 2016.   All Burbank businesses, including multi-family properties, must be in compliance either through organics recycling (and other requirements) or qualifying for a waiver.

Review Requirements

Generator Requirements (PDF):
  • Subscribe to and actively participate in an organics recycling collection service or self-haul organic waste to an approved facility. 
  • Properly sort organic waste to keep the material free of contaminants and unwanted debris.
In addition to providing organics service for tenants, Property Owners/Managers must:
  • Allow access to an adequate number, size, and location of containers with correct labels is available
  • Provide collection containers for organic waste and recyclables to employees, contractors, tenants, and customers.
  • Provide indoor containers for organic waste and recyclables in all areas where disposal containers are provided for customers, except in restrooms (multi-family dwellings are exempt). 
  • Inspect containers for contamination 
WAIVERS:  All businesses and multi-family buildings are required to comply with SB 1383 unless granted a waiver by the City of Burbank. If you would like to learn what it takes to qualifiy for a waiver, see "Waivers" in the Compliance Resources section below.  

Contact your Waste Hauler or Plan to Self-haul


Contact your waste hauler:
Your waste hauler can provide technical assistance and an assessment of the types of organics service you will need, along with educational materials and staff training.

Don't have a waste hauler? Find one on our list of licensed haulers (PDF).

Plan to self-haul:
The SB 1383 regulations do allow customers to self-haul their recycling and organics waste, if they follow certain rules. Entities that self-haul their organic waste must show proof of their program. See "Self-hauling Details" in the  section below for additional information.

Provide Ongoing Education 

Supporting your employees, tenants and customers with education, clear signage, as-needed training, and reinforcements on proper sorting rules will reduce contamination of the organic materials and avoid possible fines in the future. See "Ongoing Education Requirement" below for additional information. 

SB1383 is unique in that it requires some businesses to donate excess edible food to feed people in addition to diverting organic material from the garbage. Businesses that qualify will need to donate excess edible food to non-profits and other food recovery sources. 
COMPLIANCE RESOURCES

While SB 1383 regulations do not allow businesses to optout of recycling and organics recycling requirements, the City of Burbank may grant temporary exemptions upon a review process for the following issues:  

De minimis waiver: Weekly trash generation is below the minimum organic waste thresholds:  

  • Two cubic yards per week of solid waste (trash, recycling and organics), including 20 gallons or more of organic waste
  • Less than two cubic yards per week of solid waste (trash, recycling and organics), including 10 gallons or less of organic waste
Physical space waiver: The commercial business or property owner provides documentation, or the City has evidence from its staff, a hauler, licensed architect, or, licensed engineer demonstrating that the premises lack adequate space for recycling and/or organic waste containers.

If you feel your business qualifies for a waiver, submit a completed form (PDF) to 
ZeroWaste@burbankca.gov. 
 

Self-hauler's Role:  The regulations are very specific on what kinds of facilities qualify to accept this material and the documentation needed.

  • Haul organic materials to a high-diversion, waste processing facility, where the material will be separated out for recycling/composting.
  • Separate out recyclables and/or organics waste on-site and haul the separated materials to a solid waste facility operation, activity, or property that processes or recovers separated organic waste and/or recyclables.
  • Keep a record of the amount of organic waste and recyclables delivered to each solid waste facility, operation, activity, or property that processes or recovers organic waste and recyclables. This record shall be subject to inspection by the City and include:
    • Delivery receipts and weight tickets from the facility accepting the waste
    • The amount of material in cubic yards or tons transported to each facility
  • Provide educational information annually about the legal requirements to compost and recycle, including how to reduce contamination by sorting properly.
     
  • Provide collection containers for organic waste and recyclables and arrange collection service (ensure access to an adequate number, size, and location of containers with correct labels is available).
     
  • Provide indoor containers for organic waste and recyclables in all areas where disposal containers are provided, except in restrooms (multi-family dwellings are exempt).
     
  • Provide outreach to new tenants within 14 days.

Convey that State law requires organic material be collected separately to prevent the generation of greenhouse gases and be recycled for beneficial reuse (composting, energy, etc.).  Adopt these practices as part of your standard training with ongoing reinforcement:

  • Identify all staff that will be involved with food scraps collection. 
  • Designate a "Food Scraps Champion" to take the lead on staff training and monitoring of the program. 
  • Educate new staff on how to sort properly during training. 
  • Explain what food scraps are and why it is being collected separately from the trash. 
    • Food scraps are any leftover food-based material. 
  • Ensure all staff know locations of containers both inside and outside. 
  • Provide posters or other educational material to ensure continued proper sorting.
CalRecycle is the state agency responsible for creating the regulatory standards and oversight for SB 1383 and other waste diversion mandates, including: 
  • Mandatory Commercial Recycling AB 341
    • Since 2012, State law has required businesses, including apartment communities/multi-family housing with 5 or more units, to recycle.
  • Mandatory Commercial Organic Recycling AB 1826
The complete text on the final regulations for SB 1383 on the CalRecycle website.

More information can be found on CalRecycle's FAQ's page with answers to the most frequently asked questions about the statewide implementation of this new law. 

For questions on compliance issues, email us at ZeroWaste@burbankca.gov.

This letter summarizes requirements and the new municipal code (available in Spanish and Armenian). 
SB1383 Technical Assistance 

Your waste hauler is your best resource to assess what level of organics service you need.  Ask your hauler if they will provide bin signage and other outreach materials to help educate your employees and customers.

For additional questions not found on the CalRecycle links or FAQ's, contact us at ZeroWaste@burbankca.gov..