Los Angeles City Councilmen Mitch O’Farrell and Paul Krekorian on Feb. 23 introduced a resolution in support of Senate Bill 45 by state Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-Pasadena), a bill that would provide assistance to local jurisdictions for organic waste diversion programs.

The city of Los Angeles has enacted several environmental protections and measures, including the “LA 100” plan to achieve 100% carbon-free energy by 2035. The city has also directed city departments to achieve zero waste – 90% landfill diversion – by 2025 and 95% by 2035, and officials have adopted of the city’s Green New Deal, which calls for the elimination of organic waste going into landfills by 2028.

SB 45 would direct CalRecycle and the California Air Resources Board to provide assistance, including funding, to local jurisdictions for organic waste diversion programs. Senate Bill 1383 mandates a 75% reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from its 2014 level by 2025. The requirements took effect on Jan. 1.

“Los Angeles is committed to environmental stewardship, and we have consistently led the way toward a carbon-free future,” said O’Farrell, 13th District, chair of the Council’s Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice and River Committee. “This bill would ensure that the state is effectively partnering with local jurisdictions to meet the objectives of SB 1383. This is especially important for cities like Los Angeles that are already enacting such bold environmental policies.”

“There is no city in California that has done more in the area of waste diversion and reducing greenhouse gas emissions than Los Angeles,” Krekorian, 2nd District, said. “We were doing this before the unfunded mandate that is SB 1383 had ever been written. The state must provide financial assistance towards meeting CalRecycle’s rigid requirements, which will allow Los Angeles to continue to lead California cities in combating methane emissions from the waste sector.”

For information, visit bit.ly/GreenerLAupdates.