The Los Angeles City Council has unanimously approved a motion on Friday aimed at supporting small businesses and mom-and-pop landlords in covering the expenses associated with implementing green bin services. This motion, introduced by Councilwoman Nithya Raman, aims to assist commercial accounts that are serviced by Los Angeles Sanitation & Environment as they work towards acquiring green bin services and complying with SB 1383.
SB 1383, signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2016, is a significant effort to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by food waste accumulations in landfills. The ultimate goal of this bill is to achieve a 75% reduction in organic waste disposal by 2025.
To coincide with SB 1383 and promote green waste disposal, city officials introduced organics recycling in January. However, despite green bin service being mandatory for commercial accounts since 2018, there has been a lack of enforcement. This will change on January 1, 2024, when, in accordance with a city ordinance, commercial accounts without green bin service can face fines until they comply.
Councilwoman Raman emphasized the need for successful implementation of this program, stating that businesses, commercial customers, and residents must have the necessary resources to engage with the initiative. To make it more feasible for commercial accounts, the motion instructs the Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment to explore options for reducing the costs of adding commercial green bin service.
The analysis conducted by LASAN will include studying the feasibility of waiving expensive waste fees, such as distance fees and gate fees, for commercial accounts that meet SB 1383 compliance. LASAN will also work with these accounts to make adjustments in waste removal services and develop a recycLA “base rate” structure that includes green bin, black bin, and blue bin services. Furthermore, the motion proposes the evaluation and implementation of a window stickering program for businesses that add green bin service and comply with SB 1383.
While residential accounts serviced by LASAN, including single-family homes and small multifamily buildings, already have green bins, larger commercial account holders have been hesitant to acquire green bin services due to the high fees involved. In some cases, paying fines for non-compliance may be considered cheaper than implementing the green bin services. The motion acknowledges that the cost burden of adding green bin services for small businesses and smaller apartments would have operational implications.
The motion concludes by emphasizing the need for the city to take proactive measures in order to alleviate the financial burden that customers of recycLA Service Providers will face when organics recycling participation enforcement commences. By ensuring accessibility and affordability, the city aims to achieve successful implementation of the green bin service program.
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