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Republic Services updates city on SB 1383 organics collection, route audits and a 2.8% rate adjustment
Summary
Republic Services briefed council on the company's community outreach for Senate Bill 1383 organics collection enforcement, increased commercial organics tonnage since 2022, route audits to reduce contamination, and a 2.8% annual rate adjustment that took effect.
Republic Services gave a routine update to the council on the company’s service activity and plans for the city.
Helen Walter, the city’s sustainability manager, introduced Catherine Tacolby and Monica Davincenzi from Republic Services. The company reminded residents of the city’s Earth Day recycling event on April 26 (Smithfield, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.) with e-waste shredding and free compost giveaways.
Republic Services staff described implementation of California Senate Bill 1383 (short-lived climate pollutants law) that requires organics collection for residents, businesses and multifamily properties. The company said enforcement has shifted from a voluntary-education focus since 2022 to an enforcement phase this year; the city mailed notices earlier in the year reminding customers of the requirement. Republic staff reported commercial organics collection increased from about 400 tons in 2022 to 452 tons in 2023 and to 510 tons in 2024, and said the company and the city will conduct route audits (lid flips) to check sorting and reduce contamination in the organics stream.
Republic Services also told council the annual rate adjustment of 2.8% went into effect this month; staff provided contact information for residents with questions about carts and kitchen pails. During public Q&A residents asked whether Slim Jim-style commercial containers were available for home use (company said those are intended for businesses) and how enforcement will operate. Monica Davincenzi said outreach and education remain the first step; repeat noncompliance will be escalated to the city for potential penalties after warnings and targeted education. Republic also said the company provides kitchen pails for residents and will replace them when needed.
Why it matters: SB 1383 establishes a statewide organics diversion requirement with downstream processing thresholds; cities and haulers are moving from outreach to enforcement and are conducting route audits and contamination reduction work that can affect businesses’ and multifamily properties’ collection costs and compliance obligations.
No formal action was taken by the council.
