City of Long Beach to Launch Residential Organics Collection Program
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Long Beach, CA ~ Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach is making strides towards a more environmentally friendly future with the launch of its Residential Organics Collection Program this October. In accordance with Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383), which aims to reduce organic waste in landfills by 75% and decrease methane emissions, the City's program aligns with state requirements and supports local sustainability efforts to reduce waste and improve recycling.

Mayor Rex Richardson expressed his enthusiasm for the program, stating, "By launching the organics collection program, our City is taking a significant step towards a greener future and aligning with the state's broader efforts to combat climate change. We encourage everyone to participate, stay informed, and help make Long Beach a leading example of environmental stewardship."

The City has been diligently working towards full implementation of SB 1383 for several years. In 2021, they began diverting organic material from commercial accounts serviced by the City and completed that rollout in 2023. The first phase of the residential organics collection program will begin in October 2024, with full implementation expected by the end of 2025.

Eric Lopez, Public Works Director, emphasized the importance of keeping residents informed about the new program before it begins. He stated, "Launching a new program of this scale is a significant undertaking, and our focus is on keeping the community well-informed before their service begins. We're committed to continuous education about what belongs in each cart - whether it's trash, recycling, or organics - so that residents can smoothly transition to this new state-mandated initiative."

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During the week of October 14th, residents in phase one service areas will receive a new green cart specifically for collecting yard trimmings and food scraps. Blue carts will also be introduced for recycling while purple carts will be retired from service and properly recycled. These changes are part of the City's effort to comply with SB 1383's requirement for standardized cart colors across the state. Residents in the first phase are encouraged to keep their carts out until they are exchanged, as the delivery of new carts may occur before or after their existing carts are serviced. Green carts will continue to be collected on the same day and in the same location as before.

The first phase of the program includes approximately 8,000 single-family and multifamily homes across the city. The service areas were selected based on various factors such as current service date, volume of yard trimmings generated, and collection locations. This phase will also test different operational scenarios that will guide future phases of the program.

To ensure the success of this program, the City is launching a comprehensive education and outreach campaign. All residents in phase one will receive direct mailers in English and Spanish detailing the program. Materials in Khmer and Tagalog will also be available upon request and online. The City is also testing additional outreach methods such as door-to-door visits and a "neighborhood champion" initiative to engage residents in spreading awareness within their communities. Contamination rates will also be monitored, as they can impact diversion rates and increase costs for the program.

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In conjunction with the first phase, City staff will regularly sample carts for contamination and provide educational materials to promote proper use of each cart. In 2022, a community survey was conducted to gather feedback on the food scraps and yard trimmings collection program mandated by SB 1383. With over 10,000 responses, this valuable input was used to develop detailed outreach materials and enhance the program's webpage, which was identified as the preferred source of information by residents. The website now features an interactive map where residents can search their address to see if they are included in phase one of the program, along with a list of frequently asked questions and access to additional resources.

For more information on this program and other waste reduction efforts, visit longbeach.gov/lbrecycles.

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