Organic waste: reduction regulations.
The bill requires the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to set compliance regulations that may include penalties for local jurisdictions that fail to meet the outlined goals. Local jurisdictions will have the authority to impose requirements on waste generators and also manage penalties for noncompliance. By allowing different levels of requirements and phased timelines, the legislation seeks to tailor responses according to the progress made by each locality in achieving the organic waste reduction targets established for both 2020 and 2025. This flexibility may facilitate better compliance among communities, particularly those with varying capacities to manage organic waste.
Assembly Bill 2577, introduced by Assembly Member Irwin, aims to amend Section 42652.5 of the Public Resources Code, focusing on organic waste reduction regulations. Building upon existing legislation that mandates the State Air Resources Board to implement strategies for reducing short-lived climate pollutants and achieving significant reductions in methane emissions, the bill specifies that at least 20% of edible food waste currently disposed of should be recovered for human consumption by 2025. Moreover, the bill introduces product labeling requirements aimed at minimizing food waste and ensuring that food recovered is fit for consumption.
There could be contention surrounding the imposition of penalties and the local government's ability to fulfill these requirements. Critics may argue that the localized approach and contingency penalties might disproportionately affect smaller jurisdictions which lack the infrastructure or resources to meet the new standards. Additionally, some stakeholders could raise concerns regarding the effectiveness of mandatory product labeling as a mechanism for reducing food waste, questioning whether it adequately supports wider efforts to recover edible food. Furthermore, handling compliance amidst the ongoing challenges posed by situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic may complicate implementation for some local governments.