The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday called on the state to provide funding for organic waste diversion programs in Los Angeles and other California jurisdictions.
The resolution, introduced by Councilors Mitch O’Farrell and Paul Krekorian, claims that Senate Bill 45 will help Los Angeles and other cities meet the requirements of Senate Bill 1383, which entered into force on January 1 and seeks to divert organic waste. from California landfills.
On March 9, the city council adopted a proposal with the aim of expanding its collection program for organic housing from the current 18,000 customers to 750,000 customers by December 31, in accordance with SB 1383.
CalRecycle, the state’s recycling and waste management agency, can issue escalating fines for non-compliance.
“This city will have to pay a significant amount for compliance with SB 1383, in the tens of millions of dollars or more,” Krekorian said before Wednesday’s vote.
State legislation was enacted by Senator Anthony Portantino, D-La Canada Flintridge, and would direct CalRecycle and the California Air Resources Board to provide assistance, including funding, to local jurisdictions’ organic waste diversion programs.
Krekorian said the legislation “will provide some of the relief from the unfunded mandate nature of SB 1383,” and that without financial assistance the burden will fall “either on our general fund, which will mean a reduction in other services that the city can provide, or it will fall on the taxpayers.
“None of these are a happy outcome,” he added.
City council approved the decision, 14-0.