Hey Californians, Your State Has Been Busy!

California’s governor recently signed two laws aimed at reducing waste in the state – one requires businesses to divert organic waste from the landfill and the other bans single-use plastic bags. Will other states follow suit on these issues? We don’t have a crystal ball, but often California leads the way on environmental laws. Only time will tell.

Tell your coworkers to get ready to compost
On September 28th, California joined Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut in requiring its businesses to divert food scraps and yard trimmings from the landfill. Beginning April 1, 2016, California businesses that generate eight or more cubic yards of organic waste per week must separate and send food scraps and yard trimmings to commercial composting or anaerobic digestion facilities. The threshold for required diversion will ratchet down through January 1, 2020. If, by that time, the law hasn’t reduced the amount of organic waste sent to landfills by 50% compared to 2014 levels, the threshold for compliance will apply to businesses that generate two or more cubic yards of commercial solid waste per week. Review the bill.

It’s in the (compostable or reusable) bag
On September 30th, California passed the first state-wide ban on single-use plastic bags. Starting July 1, 2015, the once ubiquitous plastic bag will no longer be allowed for use by supermarkets and pharmacies. One year later, the rule will cover smaller grocery stores, convenience stores, and liquor stores. Other bags – paper, reusable, and in some places, compostable – will only be allowed with a minimum $0.10 charge. For more information, you can review the bill here.