Senate Bill 1383, Short-lived Climate Pollutants Reduction, as enacted in 2017 (Lara, Chapter 395, Statutes of 2016), establishes targets to reduce the statewide disposal of organics by 50% by 2020, and 75% by 2025; and requires that not less than 20% of edible food that is currently disposed be recovered for human consumption by 2025. The state has adopted comprehensive regulations as a result of the passage of SB 1383, which imposes a wide range of requirements on local jurisdictions.
One requirement of SB 1383 includes the adoption of a Recovered Organic Waste Product and Recycled Paper Procurement Policy. The policy which is applicable to all County departments and divisions requires environmental considerations including recycled-content and recovered organic waste products use into purchasing practices.
Recovered Organic Waste Product Procurement
To meet SB 1383 targets, the County must procure SB 1383 eligible mulch, compost, renewable gas or electricity procured from biomass conversion. After researching all options, staff recommend procuring compost and renewable gas to be in compliance with the state regulations. To meet the compost and mulch requirements, the Public Works Department updated the Landscape Design, Construction and Maintenance Standards and Guidelines to require direct service providers use SB 1383 compliant products, whenever available, and capable of meeting quality standards and criteria. County staff and contractors currently use a minimal amount of compost and mulch. The County’s annual recovered organic waste product procurement target is 13,954 tons.
Contra Costa County is a member of the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and receives gas through their purchase agreements. ABAG is researching options to purchase SB 1383 compliant renewable gas supply, which is currently extremely limited. ABAG has a tentative target for the third quarter of 2023 to have agreements in place for renewable gas for ABAG member agencies.
Recycled-Content Paper Procurement
The new state regulations require the procurement of Recycled-Content Paper Products and Recycled-Content Printing and Writing Paper. The policy specifies that if fitness and quality are equal to that of non-recycled items, all County departments and divisions shall purchase paper products that consist of 30% postconsumer fiber. The Public Works Department’s Purchasing Division initiated a bid for Recycled Copy Paper and awarded it to Staples. The County also has a blanket purchase order with Staples that allows all County departments to obtain competitive pricing.
Recordkeeping
Public Works Department staff will be responsible for obtaining records pertaining to procurement of recovered organic waste and recycled-content paper products and paper. Staff is researching various electronic options for staff in all County departments to provide procurement records and verification of recycled products.
Without approval of the Recovered Organic Waste Product and Recycled Paper Procurement Policy, the County will not be in compliance with Senate Bill 1383.