County of San DiegoCounty of San Diego

Organic Materials Ordinance Update

Public WorkshopMarch 11th, 2021

How to Participate

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Email CAP@sdcounty.ca.gov

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Project Objectives

• Divert organic material from the landfill

• Support composting operations • Protect public health and

safety• Advance sustainability goals

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Wood and Lumber

Plant Material

Agricultural Waste

Food Scraps and

Compostable Paper

Non-Organic Waste

LANDFILL WASTE (2018)

Organic Materials

• Tree and yard trimmings• Manure, crop residues, and other

agricultural materials• Restaurant and grocery store food

products• Fruits, vegetables, coffee grounds, and

other non-processed foods • Others

Types of Composting

Turned Open WindrowCovered Aerated Static Pile Composting

In-Vessel Composting Small-scale Anaerobic Digestion Vermicomposting Insect Raising

Aerated Static Pile Turned Open Windrow

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County Composting Restrictions

• Residential & Agricultural Composting• Limited to household waste• No offsite import

• Community Gardens• Limited to community garden members

• Chipping & Grinding• Industrial areas or permits

• Animal Waste Processing • Permits

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Organic Materials Ordinance Outline

• Tiered System• Exempt to full public review• Based on volume and materials

• Streamline composting for agricultural operations

• Provide guidance for composting not associated with agricultural operations

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Tiering OverviewExempt Small Medium Large

Permit Type Registration Only Over the Counter Director Approval Public Hearing

Organic Volumes Up to 100 cubic yards Up to 2,800 cubic yards Up to 12,500 cubic yards Defined in permit

Off-site import allowed? No Yes – except food materials

Chipping and grindingStorage of bagged product less than 5 cubic yards

Less than 200 tons per day 200-500 tons per day

Retail sales & donationsUp to 1,000 cubic yards annually

Up to 25% of compost produced annually

In-Vessel Activities Up to 15 cubic yards perday

Up to 60 cubic yards per day

Defined in permit

Defined in permit

Defined in permit

Defined in permitDefined in permit

Up to 50% of compost produced annually

Yes – except food materials

Understanding VolumesDiagrams are for illustrative purposes only and are not to scale

100 cubic yards 3,000 cubic yards

5 yd

12

5 yd

12,500 cubic yards

Exempt Small Medium

5 yd

Organic Materials Ordinance Timeline

PROJECT INITIATION OF ORGANIC/COMPOSTING

(SUMMER 2020)

BEST PRACTICE RESEARCH

(FALL OF 2020)

ORDINANCE FRAMEWORK OPTIONS AND PUBLIC

OUTREACH (SPRING OF 2021)

ORDINANCE DEVELOPMENT

(SUMMER 2021)

ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE (BOS

ADOPTION PRIOR TO JANUARY 1,2022)

We are here

Environmental Documentation

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Questions?Contact Tyler Farmer at tyler.farmer@sdcounty.ca.gov or call (619) 517-5102.

https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/sustainability/projects/organic-materials-ordinance-update.html

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