This session will focus on the status of organic waste management in California. Senate Bill 1383, which passed in 2016, stipulates a reduction in organic waste sent to landfills of 75% by 2025. This presentation will be useful to a broad audience of professionals interested in food waste diversion. California's ambitious goal has led to the implementation of many programs to reduce food waste or to divert it from the collected waste stream for beneficial uses such as human or animal feed. State government has played a significant role in supporting these programs through outreach and education and program grants. Significant expansion of California’s mature compost industry and development of anaerobic digestion facilities have turned organic wastes from the collected waste stream into valuable resources. State and federal government funding has played a positive role in incentivizing development of this infrastructure.

Panel participants will discuss various government incentives and take a look at current SB 1383 compliance and some of the more significant challenges. This presentation will also include a brief review of Senate Bill 54, the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (Extended Producer Responsibility bill), which will require material to be recyclable or compostable, putting pressure on producers to provide materials that will be accepted by composters. The presentation will allow ample opportunity for participants to engage in discussion. Attendees will gain an understanding of the state of organic waste management in California and lessons valuable to other jurisdictions.