Redefining Waste: San Diego's Food Journey Beyond Trash

Workers at Miramar Landfill stand over freshly hauled organic trash.Photo byJoe Orellana

In 2023, various cities across California embarked on a colossal initiative to distribute green plastic bins throughout their regions, aiming to comply with the state's mandate of reducing organic food waste dumped in landfills by 50% by 2020. This waste, including items like banana peels, meat bones, and coffee grinds, contributes significantly to methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, when trapped in landfills.

However, California missed its 2020 target, witnessing an increase in organic waste deposited in landfills. The delay in stringent enforcement by the state until 2022 further impeded progress, leading over 100 cities to request extensions to implement food waste recycling programs.

San Diego, for instance, commenced the distribution of green bins in January of that year but faced setbacks due to supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic. The city struggled to secure equipment, hire additional personnel, and manage costs exceeding $100 million, a burden imposed by the state without adequate funding.

Educating residents about segregating food waste also posed a challenge. Many were unfamiliar with using the green bins properly, necessitating education efforts to ensure correct waste separation and storage.

By February, the city had augmented landfill fees to support the program, affecting private trash haulers and, consequently, raising costs for apartment complexes and businesses. Mayor Todd Gloria set ambitious waste diversion goals, aiming for a 90% reduction in landfill waste by 2035, surpassing state benchmarks.

While the city reported diverting 71% of its waste from landfills in 2022, it fell short of the 75% goal set for 2020. The effectiveness of reaching the revised target of 90% by 2035 remains uncertain.

Enforcement of waste recycling laws and penalties for non-compliance has been lax, with both the state and the city showing reluctance to impose fines. However, the city shared limited information about the program's progress, revealing in October that it had collected 71,318 tons of organic and yard waste since January.

The data from the initial year of the green bin initiative will be fully compiled by 2024, providing a comprehensive overview of the program's impact. The fluctuation in monthly organic waste collection, peaking in August and declining in winter months like November, hints at seasonal variations, possibly influenced by increased yard waste during the summer.

As this program continues, stakeholders eagerly await comprehensive data analysis to evaluate its effectiveness in achieving waste reduction goals, aligning with California's ambitions to minimize environmental impact and promote sustainable waste management practices.