How will SB1383
change my daily life?
Get ready to separate your food waste! The State of California has a new law coming into effect on January 1, 2022 to lower the Methane Emissions from our landfills. While this bill will be very ecofriendly, it will definitely affect the habits and lifestyles of every household in California.
What does this mean for me?
Here's the deal: you need to start separating your food waste from your regular waste. Gone are the days of throwing out the leftovers in the bottom of the microwaveable Mac & Cheese bowl that you never got around to eating. No more tossing out your banana peels, potato skins or mom's leftover potato salad.
If we can't throw it in the trash then will we do with all this food waste?
Are you ready for this? Create a worm farm for all that food waste!
What in the world is a worm farm?
Good question.
As a child you might remember walking out on the pavement on a rainy day and watching the worms squiggle across your walkway path. Or digging in the garden or the dirt outside and coming across a long wiggly worm. These same worms are what we are talking about!
Red Worms are amazing creatures that eat anything natural. Once the redworms consume something it turns it into poop, well, a more exact term is Worm Castings. Worm castings can be all throughout your garden, trees (indoor and outdoor) -- plus even your lawn.
Can you tell me a little more about SB1383 and why methane emissions are harmful?
Methane emissions resulting from the decomposition of organic waste in landfills are a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Organic materials--including waste that can be readily prevented, recycled, or composted--account for a significant portion of California's overall waste stream.
Food waste alone accounts for approximately 18% of total landfill disposal. Increasing food waste prevention, encouraging edible food rescue, and expanding the composting and in-vessel digestion of organic waste throughout the state will help reduce methane emissions from organic waste disposed in California's landfills.
In addition, compost has numerous benefits including water conservation, improved soil health, and carbon sequestration. Anaerobic digestion produces biogas that can be used to create electricity or renewable transportation fuels. Food rescue has the added benefit of assisting Californians who are unable to secure adequate, healthy food by diverting edible food to food banks and pantries.
WHY NOT get your worm food bin and start composting ALL of your food waste!
Where can I read more about SB1383?
California Air Resource Board, Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy, Senate Bill, SB 1383, is a law taking affect January 2022 to all households of California.