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Santa Clara County, Calif. August 15, 2024 – As a result of Senate Bill (SB) 1383, all self-haulers in Santa Clara County who transport their own waste to landfills or recycling facilities are required to separate organic waste — such as wood, cardboard, and paper — from non-organic landfill waste.
In an effort to reduce greenhouse gasses, such as methane, the State of California implemented Senate Bill (SB) 1383. This law requires jurisdictions throughout the state to reduce the amount of organic waste that ends up in landfills and recover surplus uneaten food from commercial establishments to feed those in need. By 2025, California aims to reduce 75% of organic waste in landfills and to save at least 20% of uneaten food.
“Diverting organic waste that would have gone into a landfill is among the most impactful things an
individual can do to lower their carbon footprint,” said Californians Against Waste Director of Advocacy Nick Lapis. “Santa Clara County has led the country on efforts to stop this easily preventable source of methane emissions for two decades, and this is another great step in that direction.”
If you transport your waste material to a processing facility, then you are a self-hauler. Examples of self-haulers include:
- Commercial and residential landscapers
- Construction and demolition haulers
- Private self-haulers
All self-haulers are required to separate organic waste from landfill waste and take it to a facility where it can be processed. Once the waste has been weighed, they must record the total cubic yards or tons of organic materials delivered and keep all receipts to retain records of their compliance.
While specific requirements may vary throughout jurisdictions in Santa Clara County, general requirements have been set by the State for different types of self-haulers. Self-haulers who do not comply with the established guidelines will face improper facility use fines.
- Landscapers – Landscapers must separate organic waste from non-organic waste onsite before hauling it to a facility that processes or recovers the organic materials. They may also collect commingled organic waste onsite and haul it to a high-diversion organic waste processing facility where the materials are sorted after collection.
- Construction & Demolition (C&D) Haulers – Construction and demolition (C&D) haulers must separate and recover organic waste such as wood, paper, and cardboard from project debris. These materials can then be recycled at a processor that accepts segregated C&D debris.
- Private Contract Haulers – Private contract haulers are required to identify the facilities they will deliver organic waste to and obtain and maintain documentation of jurisdiction approval to haul organic waste within the jurisdiction.
Self-hauler compliance contributes to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved air and water quality, and the creation of valuable resources such as compost, renewable energy, and mulch.
Cities and towns within Santa Clara County will continue to provide support and resources to self-haulers. This includes educational materials, training programs, and tools such as the record-keeping tool for self-haulers, which helps self-haulers reach compliance with record-keeping obligations.
To learn more about self-hauler requirements in Santa Clara County, visit ReduceWaste.org/SelfHaulers.