Organic Waste Prevention & Source Reduction

In 2016, the California legislature adopted SB 1383 which targets a 50% reduction in the landfilling of organic waste in 2022, and a 75% reduction by 2025. Organic waste means food waste, green waste, landscape and pruning waste, nonhazardous wood waste, and food-soiled paper waste that is mixed in with food waste.

Food Recovery HierarchyThe City of Coronado will be working closely with food waste generating businesses to implement organics recycling through the use of the following strategies:

  • Prevent food waste: This helps businesses' bottom lines.
  • Donate edible food: Nearly one in seven San Diego residents do not know where their next meal is coming from. Regionally, almost 500,000 tons of food waste is sent to the landfill. The City wants to support the community in setting up systems to donate food to help end hunger throughout the county.
  • Collection of non-edible food: After all possible means of food waste prevention and donation of edible food have been pursued, remaining food waste materials will be collected for recycling in your green cart.

Food Recovery

Food recovery means collecting edible food that would otherwise go to waste and redistributing it to feed people in need. This is the highest and best use for food that would otherwise go to waste. Feeding hungry people through food recovery is the best use for surplus food and a vital way for California to conserve resources and reduce waste thrown in landfills.

Almost 1 in 4 Californians don't have enough to eat. SB 1383 requires certain food businesses to donate the maximum amount of edible food they would otherwise dispose of, of to food recovery organizations.

The law phases food donors under two tiers. The first tier is required to donate starting in 2022. The second tier is required to donate starting in 2024. Mandated food donors can help their communities now by starting to work with local food banks, food pantries, and other food recovery organizations and services. View CalRecycle's Tier System. View Coronado's Edible Food Recovery Program.

San Diego Food System Alliance

The City of Coronado participates in the Save the Food San Diego, a county-wide food waste awareness partnership that leverages the national "Save The Food" public service campaign. For more information view the San Diego Food System Alliance program website.

Additional resources