Reducing Food Waste - INSIDE Environmental impact Food insecurity How the new system works - City of Benicia
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Reducing
Food Waste
Why it matters, who it
helps, and how to do it
INSIDE
Page 3
Environmental
impact
Page 4
Food insecurity
Page 5
How the new
system works
SENATE
BILL 1383 Why It
Signed into law in 2016,
SB 1383 mandates:
75%
Reduction of
organic waste
disposal in
landfills by
Matters
2025.
Food waste creates serious problems for our environment and by
20%
Rescue of our community, but our region has the answers Allen Pierleoni
currently
wasted surplus
food by 2025.
T
HERE’S HOW he science is simple,
IT WILL WORK: the consequences are
devastating, the solutions
“I liken this to when
are long-term but clear. recycling was first
Essentially, decomposing
organic waste in landfills emits
introduced. I
greenhouse gases—particularly imagine that was
methane—that are main
contributors to global warming.
a huge cultural
ORGANIC WASTE
Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, The result is climate change, shift, trying to
residents and businesses will
be required to recycle all
making our world increasingly
hostile: rising temperatures,
teach the overall
organic waste. These organic intensifying drought, more population
materials will be recycled at: extreme weather events, and
a nearly year-round wildfire
what to do with
• Anaerobic digestion
facilities that create
season. glass, plastic, and
biofuel and electricity.
In California, however,
statewide mandates are
aluminum cans.”
• Composting facilities coming Jan. 1, 2022, requiring a material to recycling facilities
Corey Beavers, Management Analyst
that make soil 75% reduction in organic waste Fairfield Public Works Department
that create biofuel and
amendments. disposal and a 20% increase in electricity, and to composting
edible food waste recovery by facilities to make soil
Local governments will be amendments,” Beavers says.
2025. The genesis is Senate Bill
required to use the recycled 1383, signed into law in 2016 Not only does this benefit
products, such as renewable and heralded at the time as “a organizations that collect soil, water, and air quality,
energy, compost, and mulch. revolution for organic waste.” and distribute excess edible and reduce greenhouse
One piece of it is organic food. The mandates require gases, it also extends the life
collection services for all businesses to participate in of landfills. Right now, the
residents and businesses to edible food recovery programs, estimated organic content of
reduce organics in landfills, which will cut into the 6 million landfills ranges from 40% to
helping fight the impact of tons of food that is wasted in more than 60%.
greenhouse gases and the California each year, Beavers What about the sociological
resulting climate change. says. impact of the programs?
FOOD RESCUE “That’s especially pertinent “Feeding America (a “I liken this to when
Beginning Jan. 1, 2022 to Solano County, as it and nationwide network of food recycling was first introduced.
for large food service surrounding counties have seen banks) reports that one in I imagine that was a huge
businesses (and by 2024 for wildfires and the pollution that seven children in Solano cultural shift, trying to teach
smaller ones), edible food came with them,” says Corey County faces hunger, while the the overall population what
must be donated to food Beavers, Management Analyst Food Bank of Contra Costa and to do with glass, plastic, and
recovery organizations for the City of Fairfield Public Solano distributes more than aluminum cans,” he says.
instead of thrown away. Works Department. 68.8 million meals each year,” Beavers sees the new
These businesses include Another piece is redirecting Beavers says. model as a matter of teaching
restaurants, schools, hotels, donated excess edible food to Reducing greenhouse gases people what to do with organic
hospitals, grocery stores, etc. the food-insecure, rather than by eliminating organic waste waste, and why.
This will help feed the almost disposing of it in landfills, he from landfills is also a goal of “Hopefully, these small
1 in 4 Californians without says. the mandates. changes...will lead to positive
enough to eat. Leading that effort are food “Jurisdictions will be results for all of us and future
recovery and hunger relief required to take organic generations,” he says.
2 REDUCING FOOD WASTE SOLANO COUNTY
HOW MUCH
The Environmental
FOOD
DO WE WASTE?
Impact
40% produced in
of food
California
Immediate action can turn around the devastating effects by goes uneaten
of food waste in our landfills Allen Pierleoni
T
he Department of agency continues to develop material into electricity, low
Resources, Recycling and new resources and planning carbon fuel, and compost is
Recovery—better known tools in partnership with helping eliminate methane
as CalRecycle—has a storied
tradition as the steward to
and supporting local green
job growth and recycling 6 million tons
California’s environment. infrastructure,” Klug says. of food goes into California
That role has never been “Meeting the state’s organic landfills
more essential or visible “The implementation diversion goals will protect
than now, as climate change of SB 1383 is one of public health and support
worsens and a rollout of economic growth,” Klug says.
revolutionary mandates are the fastest and easiest For instance, 17,600 jobs have
poised to debut Jan. 1, 2022.
Rooted in Senate Bill
ways Californians can been created around the
organics diversion industry,
1383, signed in 2016, the new fight climate change, with health and social benefits
regulations will require a 75%
reduction in organic waste feed Californians in valued at $10.5 billion.
“California can’t afford to 56% of landfills’ content
disposal and a 20% increase need, conserve water, delay its climate fight,” Klug is food waste, food-soiled
paper, green waste, and
in edible food waste recovery says. “We’re experiencing
by 2025. The laws will require and move the state extreme drought, extreme other organic waste
cities and counties to be wildfires, and record heat
responsible for implementing
toward a future with waves.”
the programs while reporting less pollution and more A look at California’s latest
to CalRecycle. Recycling Climate Change Assessment
specialists expect a massive green jobs.” Study expects even more
behavior change for residents intense impacts by the year
Lance Klug, Public Information Officer Municipal landfills are
and businesses alike. 2100:
the third-largest source
“The implementation of SB CalRecycle’s Office of Public Affairs • Average daily maximum of greenhouse gases in
1383 is one of the fastest and temperature could rise by California, and methane is a
easiest ways Californians can 5.6 to 8.8 degrees. climate super-polluter that’s
fight climate change, feed
Californians in need, conserve • 77% more of the state could 84 times more potent than
water, and move the state jurisdictions. experience devastating carbon dioxide
toward a future with less At the heart of the issue is wildfires.
pollution and more green jobs,” the overabundance of organic • The snow pack, which is
says Lance Klug of CalRecycle’s material in landfills. About California’s largest water
Office of Public Affairs. 56% of landfills’ content is reserve, could decline by
“CalRecycle is here to help food waste, food-soiled paper, 75% by 2050.
jurisdictions overcome local green waste, and other organic
implementation challenges,” waste, Klug says. As organic Klug wants to remind all
Klug says. waste decomposes, it produces Californians of the bottom line:
CalRecycle has gathered
input from cities and counties
to help shape pathways to
methane gas, a climate super-
polluter that’s 84 times more
potent than carbon dioxide.
“We need to take immediate
action to turn our trajectory
away from this probable
1 in 4
Californians go to bed
compliance, he says. The “(Among other benefits future.” hungry
process is ongoing, as the of) transforming organic
SOLANO COUNTY REDUCING FOOD WASTE 3
PHOTO COURTESY OF
BY THE
FOOD IS FREE SOLANO
NUMBERS
Prior to the COVID-19
pandemic, 10% of Solano
County residents (or 43,650)
were food insecure1
That number may
rise as high as 15%
as a result of the
pandemic
Not all people who are food
insecure live in poverty,
and not all those who
live in poverty are food
insecure. Other contributing
factors include: lack of
Food Insecurity
transportation; chronic
disease; disabilities; living
in “food deserts”; social
isolation; age
It is a terrible irony that while food rots in a landfill, people in by
our community don’t have enough to eat Raul Clement
S
ometimes the biggest a forklift, a pallet jack, and is excited about the impact of Solano County has 5 fewer
attempts to change indoor storage. Senate Bill 1383. She believes grocery stores per 100,000
the world have modest In the process, she built that, by regulating the disposal residents than California as
beginnings. That was the case a network of people eager of food waste, the bill will a whole
for Heather Pierini, founder of to receive food that would “normalize food rescue.”
Food is Free Solano. otherwise be thrown away. “Sometimes I’ll call a school
“I have a big home garden, This includes nonprofits, soup and say, ‘We’ll pick up your
and I’ve always grown too kitchens, mutual aid networks, food that’s left over from your
much for my family,” Pierini and perhaps more surprising lunch services,’” Pierini says. Around 45%
explains. “For years, I would “And they say, ‘We can’t do that of Solano County residents
give it away to my neighbors. because we’d be responsible.’ have limited access to
But beginning with the They don’t understand that healthy and affordable
pandemic, people were going “If we can disperse there are donation laws, that food2
through the baskets on my food in more there is protection for them,
table, looking for more food. I and that this is now going to be
thought, Let’s see if we can get equitable ways, then the way things work.” 17% of children in
Solano County experience
more.” we have a stronger Pierini anticipates that,
food insecurity
She encouraged others in as schools, hospitals, and
her hometown of Benicia to society. There is no restaurants become aware
start up food stands. Within downside.” of SB 1383, the process will
38% of these children
a month, there were a dozen become more streamlined. In
are ineligible for federal
community stands. But she Heather Pierini, founder the meantime, she is happy
nutrition programs
was still not satisfied. She Food is Free Solano. to do the work of educating
discovered the USDA Farmers people on the benefits of food
to Families Food Box Program, rescue. 11 million tons
a pandemic response program recipients. “If we can disperse food in of food alone is estimated
that kept farmers in business by “We have everything more equitable ways, then we to be thrown away in
getting their food to nonprofits. from hog farms that can take have a stronger society. There California each year
But in order to take part, she truckloads to a guinea pig is no downside.”
had to be able to receive food rescue that takes two boxes of
by the truckload. This led to salad,” she says. More information, including
setting up a distribution hub at As Food is Free Solano how to volunteer or Around 30-40%
the Solano County Fairgrounds. has shifted from distributing donate, can be found at of food is thrown away in
Soon she was in possession USDA boxes to a full-blown foodisfreesolano.org. the US annually
of two refrigerated trucks, food rescue operation, Pierini
4 REDUCING FOOD WASTE SOLANO COUNTY
How the ORGANIC WASTE EXPLAINED
New System Works Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, all cities and counties in California
will be required to collect the following types of organic
waste. In fact, several cities in Solano County already
New law gives citizens the tools to by Gail accept some or all of these items--check with your hauler
stamp out climate change and hunger Allyn Short or your Recycling Coordinator to find out.
S
tarting in January 2022, a “A small action can LAWN DEBRIS
new law goes into effect • Grass clippings
that will help stop food make a big difference. • Leaves
waste in its tracks. With everybody doing • Weeds
In 2018 alone, U.S. homes,
commercial entities, and their part, you can have • Shrubs
institutions generated about a domino effect and • Branches and pruning
63 million tons of wasted
food. Meanwhile, 35 million create a larger change.”
Americans experienced FOOD *
hunger in 2019. Samantha Brown, Recycling Coordinator
Uneaten food that ends up City of Vacaville • Food & vegetable scraps
in landfills produces methane, • Coffee grounds
a greenhouse gas. A buildup • Tea bags
of greenhouse gases is warming But Brown warns that every
the planet, resulting in climate municipality is different, so • Egg shells
change, such as wildfires and residents and businesses should • Bread
increased temperatures. check with their local recycling
• Pasta
California’s new legislation, service to learn what waste
SB 1383, mandates that the state materials haulers in their area • Meat, poultry, and fish
reduce the amount of organic will accept. • Bones
waste going into landfills by 75% In addition, SB 1383
by 2025. requires large food-generating
“That’s important because businesses—such as PAPER AND WOOD PRODUCTS
organic waste like food scraps, supermarkets, grocery stores, • Paper bags
yard trimmings, paper, and and food distributors—to donate
edible food items that would • Coffee filters
cardboard make up half what
Californians dump in landfills,” otherwise be thrown away. • Food soiled tissue, napkins, and paper
says Samantha Brown, the To do that, these companies towels
City of Vacaville’s Recycling will need to contract with food • Non-coated paper plates
Coordinator. recovery organizations and
• Paper cups that contain no plastic or
The law will require residents food banks that can collect and plastic coating
to separate their organic waste distribute the food.
from their trash and recyclables. To donate food, impacted • Wooden chopsticks
Organic waste includes businesses should consult their • Wooden coffee stir sticks
traditional green waste such local recycling coordinator
for a list of food recovery • Pizza boxes
as grass clippings, leaves, tree
and shrub prunings, and weeds, organizations in their area,
as well as fruit and vegetables, Brown says.
bread, seafood and shellfish, “SB 1383 will provide food HERE’S WHAT SHOULD NEVER GO
egg shells, pasta, meat, poultry, to those who need it while INTO THE ORGANIC WASTE BIN:
bones and food-soiled paper simultaneously reducing the • Concrete, rocks, and dirt
products. amount going to the landfill,”
• Electronics such as computers, cell
Residents will continue she says.
phones, mercury switches, batteries, and
placing items like plastic Brown says that citizens
fluorescent light bulbs
containers, cardboard, and glass coming together can help make
bottles into the blue recycling the environment cleaner. • Hot ashes or coals
bin while all other garbage goes “A small action can make a • Paints solvents, motor oil, cleaners,
into gray or black trash bins. big difference. With everybody corrosives, fuel tanks, and propane tanks
Under SB 1383, businesses doing their part, you can have
• Metal, glass, and plastic
must require workers to properly a domino effect and create a
sort waste, and provide labeled larger change.”
organic waste bins for patrons *Acceptable materials will vary by hauler prior to SB 1383
to use. implementation.
SOLANO COUNTY REDUCING FOOD WASTE 5
5 EASY WAYS
FOR BUSINESSES
TO REDUCE
FOOD WASTE
You could be in the business
of providing or serving
food, or you could be in the
business of business. Either
way, there are many ways
to reduce food waste.
HERE ARE JUST FIVE:
1
Monitor inventory
and waste.
Knowing what
is being wasted
is the first step toward
reduction.
Already Doing It:
One Solano County Business
2
Monitor before
it becomes
waste. Keep Learn how a popular local grocery store has long been by
your leftovers
helping our food insecure residents Matt Jocks
organized by date to
F
reduce spoilage and or Sprouts Markets and “They are looking for home the culture, that these
waste. other food retailers, product that may be past the things have a real impact.”
priority one will always be code date, or might be bruised, Kacer said there was initial
the customers coming in the discolored, or misshapen,” reluctance among some in the
3
front door. says Justin Kacer, Sprouts’ company regarding potential
Designate However, in an age of Sustainability Manager. “It liability for problems caused by
a reduction advancing climate change can be collected and it’s still food-related health problems
manager. Whether and food insecurity, there is edible.” for recipients. Finding they had
it’s in the kitchen increasing concern with what legal protection, the efforts got
or the break room, make goes out the back door. sign-offs from all departments.
reduction someone’s The enactment of SB “Doing the right thing Aside from the community
business. 1383 has codified targets can also be good for and brand benefit, Kacer said
and requirements for the there are tangible economic
management and recovery of business.” gains as well. The efforts
4
food waste. But Sprouts’ efforts make companies eligible for
Be creative in the Justin Kacer, Sustainability Manager
on that front predate the Sprouts Markets significant tax benefits and the
kitchen. Look for legislation. reduction of food headed for
lunch recipes to Sprouts passed the 50% landfills reduces hauling costs.
bring to the office mark in food waste diversion While there is the human
that use all parts of meat in 2017, and according to its The important work is done element—and Kacer uses
and produce. Environmental, Social, and at the ground level, but the the word “heartbreaking”
Government Report, improved involvement is company-wide. to describe throwing away
to 68% during the challenging Managers will even spend good food—the hope is that
5
Be creative in the year of 2020. some time at the outdoor bins, bottom-line benefits will bring
break room. How It is the result of an getting a clear picture of what more buy-in from the largest
all-hands-on-board effort that sustainability is about, as well retailers.
about a Leftovers
starts in the aisles and shelves, as spending time at the local “Doing the right thing,”
Friday potluck? A
with employees trained to food banks. he said, “can also be good for
compost bin? A spot where
identify products that are “Having the experience business.”
the green thumbs can
appropriate for donation to of actually seeing it can be
share their homegrown local food bank operations, transformative,” Kacer says.
produce? or for other purposes, such as “And hosting a managers’
animal feed or composting. meeting at a food bank drives
6 REDUCING FOOD WASTE SOLANO COUNTY
5 EASY WAYS
TO REDUCE
FOOD WASTE IN
YOUR HOME
Reducing food waste can
seem like a daunting task,
but it doesn’t have to be!
Consider these easy ways
to limit your food waste in
your own home.
1
Already Doing It: Start a composting bin for
leftover food scraps. You can
One Solano County Resident
use compost for a garden, or
gift it to someone with their
own garden.
2
Pamela Herron isn’t just all talk: she grew up on a farm and by
has been composting her food waste for nearly 50 years Krysta Scripter
W
hether it’s taking take their food scraps for her gardens like Herron’s.
vegetable scraps from chickens or using the leftover “They’re fabulous about
a friend’s restaurant coffee chaff (the by-product sharing the wealth,” she says. Join a local buy-nothing
for her eight chickens, sharing of roasting coffee) from local “Anybody who’s ever lived on a group or sustainability group
extra produce with locals, or cafes for chicken bedding. She farm or had anything to do with on social media to see what
composting for her garden, also brings her own takeout food production, you know that others are sharing.
Herron prioritizes reducing her containers to restaurants. when it comes, it all comes...
food waste as much as she can. you either have the space to
3
“At our Vallejo home, we process it and can or freeze
have three rotating compost it, or you give it away to your
bins. Before going into the “Even urban living neighbors.”
compost though, veggie and can be more Composting, finding local
fruit scraps are fed to my flock sustainability groups, and
of hens,” she says. She uses sustainable if you starting a garden are all ways Bring your own takeout
composting to help her garden, accept the fact to reduce food waste, but containers when eating out.
where the hard-packed clay Herron says it’s also about
soil of her Solano County home that all systems are understanding your food
4
poses a problem. Composting interconnected.” buying habits as well.
allows her to amend the soil “There’s an old saying that
and put food waste to good Pamela Herron when you go to the grocery
use. Solano County Resident store, you shouldn’t be looking
Herron, who grew up on in the center aisle at all, you
a Kentucky farm, has been should be staying on the Buy fresh food whenever
interested in composting and “Even urban living can outside rows which is where you can—you can throw out
sustainable farming for most be more sustainable if you you know the produce, fresh what you don’t use in your
of her life. “My parents grew accept the fact that all systems fish, and fresh meat (are),” she compost bin.
mostly organic without even are interconnected,” she says.
5
knowing what that meant. In says. Herron participates in Considering most processed
the country, there’s no trash several sustainability groups foods are heavy packed in
pickup or recycling so I was via Facebook, like the Vallejo plastic and other materials,
raised to waste as little as Buy Nothing Group and a Bay Herron adds, “the more that
possible and reuse everything.” Area gardening group. The you can move away from
Herron frequently utilizes Buy Nothing group shares processed food, then you’re
her community and friends unwanted or extra items with reducing waste all around not Start a fruit or vegetable
to help reduce food waste in other local members in the just food waste but reducing garden (and share your
her area, like partnering with area, which can often include what goes to the landfill.” bounty with your neighbors!).
a friend’s local restaurant to extra produce from residents’
SOLANO COUNTY REDUCING FOOD WASTE 7
A Change
is Coming
New ways to dispose of organic
waste—and rescue edible food—
will have a huge impact on our
environment.
Your local haulers and government
officials are the best sources for how
your neighborhood or business will
collect and recycle organic waste.
CITY OF BENICIA UNINCORPORATED SOLANO COUNTY
Republic Services Benicia: Republic Services:
(925) 685-4711 | https://www.republicservices. (707) 437-8900 (general) | (707) 437-8947
com (recycling/organics) | https://www.republic
services.com
City of Benicia
Recycling Coordinator: Sharon Denney Senior Planner: Narcisa Untal
SDenney@ci.benicia.ca.us NUntal@solanocounty.com
CITY OF DIXON CITY OF SUISUN CITY
Recology Dixon: Republic Services:
(707) 678-4026 | https://www.recology.com/ (707) 437-8900 (general) | (707) 437-8947
recology-dixon/ (recycling/organics) | https://www.republic
services.com
City of Dixon
Recycling Coordinator: Linda Babb Recycling Coordinator: Amanda Dum
lbabb@cityofdixon.us adum@suisun.com
CITY OF FAIRFIELD CITY OF VACAVILLE
Republic Services:
Recology Vacaville Solano
(707) 437-8900 (general) | (707) 437-8947
(707) 448-2945 | www.recology.com/
(recycling/organics) | https://www.republic
services.com City of Vacaville: www.vacavillerecycling.com
Recycling Coordinator: Samantha Brown
Recycling Coordinator: Corey Beavers
Samantha.Brown@cityofvacaville.com
cbeavers@fairfield.ca.gov
CITY OF VALLEJO
CITY OF RIO VISTA
Recology Vallejo:
Mount Diablo Resource & Recovery:
(707) 552-3110 | https://www.recology.com/
(707) 374-5644 | https://mdrr.com/rio-vista recology-vallejo/
City of Rio Vista
City of Vallejo
Recycling Coordinator: Sarah Davis
Recycling Coordinator: Derek Crutchfield
Sarah.Davis@mdrr.com
Derek.Crutchfield@cityofvallejo.net
Produced for Solano County by N&R Publications, www.nrpubs.com PUBLICATIONS
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