New California waste law mandates color-coded bins for recycling and organics

The Climate and Environmental Justice Commission meeting held on February 24, 2025, in Davis, California, focused on the significant changes brought about by a new solid waste law that has been in effect since 2022. This law, described as the most substantial shift in the solid waste industry since 1989, mandates detailed regulations affecting every resident and business in the area.

Key discussions highlighted the law's prescriptive nature, which includes specific requirements for recycling and organic waste bins. For instance, recycling bins must now be blue, while organic bins are designated green. The city has begun implementing these changes, with updates to bin colors and labels occurring gradually. Residents may notice these changes as old bins are replaced over time.

The meeting also addressed the city's successful state inspection, which praised Davis for its effective implementation of the new waste management regulations. This success stands in contrast to many jurisdictions still struggling to comply with the law.

Another critical topic was contamination monitoring, which the state requires annually. The city has been actively checking waste sorting practices and providing feedback to residents through a tagging system. Good performance receives a "good job" tag, while improper sorting results in a "let's sort it out" tag. Notably, there are no fines associated with these tags; they serve as educational tools to encourage better waste sorting.

The commission reported that 81% of bins received positive feedback, indicating a high level of compliance among residents. However, contamination issues persist, particularly with plastic bags being improperly placed in recycling bins and paper products found in trash bins. The commission plans to enhance outreach efforts to address these ongoing challenges.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the city's commitment to adapting to new waste management laws while actively engaging the community in improving recycling practices. As the city continues to implement these changes, residents can expect to see more updates in their waste management systems in the coming months.