Click the link below for a list of all edible food recovery organizations that operate in the City of El Cajon.

Edible Food Recovery Organizations

SB 1383 Overview

CA Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) aims to reduce the amount of organic matter in landfills, thereby reducing methane emissions, and recover excess edible food to feed people in need. The following statewide targets need to be met: 

• Reduce organic waste disposal by 75% by 2025.
• Rescue for people to eat at least 20% of the currently disposed surplus food by 2025.

Organic waste, including food scraps, yard trimmings, paper, and cardboard, makes up half of what Californians dump in landfills. The organic waste in landfills emits:

• 20% of the state's methane, a climate super pollutant that heats 84 times more than carbon dioxide.
• Air pollutants like PM 2.5 contribute to health conditions like asthma.

Cutting short-lived climate pollutants can have the fastest impact on the climate.

SB 1383 Organic Recycling Requirements

All residents and businesses living in CA are required to divert their organic waste from landfills. "Organic waste" includes food scraps, food-soiled paper, yard trimmings, and natural fibers.

To comply, all residents and businesses alike must subscribe to an organic curbside collection service.

A more detailed overview of organic recycling requirements for businesses, residents, multi-family units, and exemptions can be found here.

Sorting Guidance

The guide below provides direction on how to properly sort your organic waste. Additional resources are available here.

Organic Recycling Resources

Learn More About Organic Recycling: 

• Commercial Food Waste Recycling 
• EDCO's New Organics Recycling Program

General Compliance: 

• SB 1383 Business Compliance Guide
• EDCO's Sorting Guidance
• EDCO Franchise Agreement

Assistance:

• Technical assistance may be provided by EDCO
• General inquiries on all SB 1383 compliance: 
  • City of El Cajon: sb1383@elcajon.gov
  • Solana Center: 760-436-7986 ext. 701 or zerowaste@solanacenter.org

SB 1383 Food Recovery & Donation Requirements

SB 1383 also requires certain food-generating businesses to donate their surplus edible food to people in need. 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. Learn more here.