Sacramento is beginning inspections of residents' trash bins this month as part of a state mandate aimed at reducing methane emissions. The initiative, driven by Senate Bill 1383, requires local governments to ensure proper sorting of organic waste to decrease the amount sent to landfills.
City officials have noted high contamination levels in past waste sorting efforts. Jesa David, a city representative, stated that previous reviews found issues such as plastic bags in recycling bins and general garbage in organic waste containers. "We conducted the same reviews last June, and we found high contamination levels of, you know, issues like plastic bags in recycling, garbage in the organics," David told KCRA.
These inspections will involve city workers, identifiable by high-visibility vests and badges, examining the contents of residents' trash, mixed recycling, and organic waste bins. While the workers may take photos, they will not remove any items. Residents will receive feedback through tags placed on their bins, indicating either a "great job" or a need to "sort this out." The program aims to provide education on correct waste sorting procedures and available resources.
SB 1383, passed by the state legislature in 2016 and effective in 2022, sets a goal to reduce organic waste disposal by 75% by 2025. This law is part of a broader state effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Officials also suggest that improved waste sorting habits could lead to cost savings for the city. "When you sort your waste incorrectly, it does cost us more to dispose of it," David explained.
The waste disposal service in Sacramento serves over 130,000 households. Approximately 4,800 households will be subject to these inspections, which are scheduled to continue through September.