Like many California cities, Clovis is asking for an extension on complying with a new state law requiring organic waste like food scraps to go in the green bin instead of the gray bin.

But while they figure out how to meet Senate Bill 1383, Clovis officials are educating residents on the changes they’ll have to make.

“This law requires that individuals and businesses change the way they dispose of certain items, and that means changing our everyday habits,” said Ivette Rodriguez, solid-waste manager for Clovis. “We are sending out regular messaging to residents through mailers and social media.”

The good news is, the city isn’t planning to increase rates due to SB 1383,

Food Waste Recycling

A new section on the city’s website provides details on the new law and the changes residents will have to make.

To start, the city advises residents to place food scraps inside a paper bag and then put them into the organics green cart.

Residents can also combine food scraps inside newspapers clippings before placing them inside the green waste bin or purchase a small bin container that can be reused and washed to hold food scraps.

Clovis households and businesses already navigate between three colored containers by separating recyclables, landfill waste, and organic waste into blue, gray, and green bins, respectively.

This new law requires approximately 540 jurisdictions across the state to provide organic waste collection services to all residents by adopting new green waste changes.

Manage Clean Sanitation Practices and Foul Odors

For foul odors, food scraps can be frozen inside a plastic bag and then removed the day of service or the night before.

Residents can also thwart foul odors and keep the green bin clean by filling a spray bottle with vinegar and water. Adding an essential oil helps, too.

By spraying this mixture into the organics cart on a weekly basis, odors and pests can be kept at bay.

Cities and Counties Required to Recover Edible Food

Besides the millions of households that will have to follow the new rules, the law also requires cities and counties to set up recovery programs that divert edible food from going to waste.

According to CalRecycle, grocery chains will often throw edible food away because of appearance, age, freshness, grade, size, or surplus.

SB 1383 requires that 20% of edible food is recovered to feed people by 2025.

Stores, schools, and government agencies will all have to ensure that undesirable but edible food is given to food banks and other recovery programs.

Rodriguez says Clovis has partnered with Fresno County to comply with edible food requirements under SB 1383 and will work with edible food generators and food recovery groups.

Many of the grocery stores in Clovis have donated edible food to food banks for years, Rodriguez said.

SB 1383 Resources and Information

Visit the Clovis website for more information on SB 1383 or CalRecycle for more information regarding the state’s larger 2030 climate change goals.