By Pat Doody
staff writer
New recycling plan approved
Tehachapi City Council Update
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At the September 20 City Council meeting, Assistant to the City Manager Corey Costelloe presented an implementation plan for City compliance with SB1383. It is a new law which addresses mandatory organics recycling, including edible food reclamation and the addition of a third organics collection barrel, along with a probable cost increase to residents.
When first brought to their attention, the City Council sent a letter to CalRecycle expressing their concerns about the timing and cost increase and, while it did not effect the regulations, CalRecycle responded that it did help them lay the groundwork for delaying enforcement of those regulations. While SB1383 will take effect on January 1, 2022 as planned, there is now some flexibility with full compliance expected by July 1, 2023.
The City will be taking an incremental approach. Initially a third container for weekly organic waste collection will be delivered to residents. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 concerns, this will not occur until sometime following January 2022. Businesses labeled as Tier 1 of the edible food rescue program (Albertsons, SaveMart and Walmart) will be first to follow the rescue program. The Tier 2 categories will follow after a period of education, outreach and agreements.
The Tehachapi City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of the month at Wells Education Center located at 300 S. Robinson Street, Tehachapi.
