Mandatory Organics Recycling

New State Law and Required Ordinance! 

In 2016, California Senate Bill (SB) 1383 was signed into law by Governor Brown and establishes state-wide targets to reduce the disposal of organic waste and edible food. The regulations became effective on January 1, 2022, and applies to all persons or entities that generate organic waste. 

As a part of this new law:

  • All businesses and residents must be enrolled in organic waste or “green waste” collection services
  • All businesses and residents will be required to properly sort materials for disposal  
    • Organics in the green waste cart, 
    • Recyclables in the recycling cart, and 
    • Only garbage in the cart intended for the landfill. 

On December 7, 2021, the City adopted a new ordinance to amend the municipal code to reflect required organics services for all residential and commercial customers, as required by SB 1383. 

The City is mandated by the state to establish and enforce this ordinance to implement organic waste reduction programs.

Below is the presentation associated with establishing the new ordinance linked above:

City Council Meeting, November 16, 2021

For more information about SB 1383 or technical assistance on composting and recycling (including training and free educational materials) email or call City staff at (510) 215-4338. To subscribe to green waste services, please contact East Bay Sanitary at (510) 237-4321. 

SB 1383 Requirements

Unacceptable in the Organics Cart

Do not add any of the following items to your green bin.
  • Ashes
  • Bamboo, Ivy, or Palm
  • Concrete, Dirt, Rocks, or Sand
  • Dead Animals
  • Diapers, Human or Pet Waste
  • Glass
  • Lawn Sod
  • Liquids
  • Manure
  • Metal
  • Cartons (milk, juice, etc.)
  • Plastic (all kinds)
  • Biodegradable Plastics                                          (utensils, plates, bowls, cups, etc.)
  • Wood (treated, coated, or painted)
Universal No Symbol

Have You Witnessed a Violation?  Do You Need to Report it?

       CLICk SB 1383 Violation Complaint Form to view and complete the complaint form.


Please use this form to submit an alleged violation of the State of California Senate Bill (SB) 1383.  Only complete this form if the violation has occurred in the following cities: El Cerrito, Richmond, San Pablo, Pinole, Hercules, and the Unincorporated areas of West Contra Costa County. Once submitted, West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority (known as "RecycleMore"), will review your submission and commence the investigation within 90 days. This form will be submitted anonymously and you will not be disclosed to the violator. If you would like RecycleMore to contact you on the status of the investigation, you may include your contact information on the bottom section of this form. Once you have completed the form, please press the "Submit" button. Thank you.

 DID YOU KNOW? 

Approximately 1 out of every 6 people in Contra Costa County and in California are food insecure?  This means individuals and/or families are struggling to find their next meal.  SB 1383 will help reduce food waste and help feed the food insecure.

Reduce Food Waste to Feed the Food Insecure

End Food Waste in America

Examples Include:

  • Food scraps

  • Meat, bones, skin

  • Coffee grounds

  • Tea bags

  • Food soiled paper 

  • Yard clippings

  • Vegetative matter

Curbside Organics

East Bay Sanitary (EBS) collects this material and delivers it to the approved organic materials processing facility (located at 1 Parr Blvd, Richmond) for composing!

Contact EBS directly to subscribe to organics services at 510.237.4321.

Click Image to View CalRecycle's Video "California's Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy"

SB 1383 Statewide Goals

Food Scrap Collection Pails

One Per Household Allowed.  El Cerrito Residents Only.
  • Use the pail to tote your food scraps outside to the organics (green) cart.
  • No bags are necessary! We encourage you to KEEP IT LOOSE!
  • Worried about odors and messiness?  1.  Make sure to set your bin out regularly.  2.  Place a piece of cardboard at the bottom of the empty organic's container or add white shredded paper on top your food scraps as you generate them or wrap your food scraps in newspaper or office paper.  Paper added to your organics helps to reduce odors and will absorb liquids that are part of the natural decomposition process.
  • Worried you can't fill your bin?  You don't need to fill your bin to capacity.  The law requires you to utilize it and do so correctly.
  • If you can't live without a bag, acceptable bags Include:  paper bags and/or ASTM D6400 BPI Certified Compostable bags.
  • Did you know?  You can have your bin power washed whenever necessary (fees apply).  Call East Bay Sanitary for more information at 510-237-4321.
  • Need help understanding how to sort your organics?  Call city staff for assistance at 510-215-4350.
Free Foodscrap Pail
  1. Residential Requirements
  2. Business Requirements
  3. Multi-Family Requirements

What does this mean for Residents?

City of El Cerrito residents, living in single-family homes, and multi-family complexes of less than five units, are largely already provided with weekly curbside recycling and organic waste collection services. Under SB 1383, all residents are required to not only subscribe to and participate in three stream curbside collection services (trash, recycling, organics) they are also required to properly sort their organic waste into the correct container (green waste container). Over the coming year, more education and outreach will be done to help residents understand how to properly sort their organics and other materials.