California has promulgated laws specifying rules and protocols that all jurisdictions must comply with for solid waste systems in the State, including the management of organic waste. Madera County selected GBB to develop an organics recycling program and plan that complies with these legislated requirements. As part of the assignment, GBB was tasked to review and evaluate options for organics management, including commercial and/or institutional organics collection and processing programs, backyard composting programs, or other programs targeting food and other organic wastes.

The plan prepared by the GBB Project Team includes a review of organics legislation in California; an overview of the current organics system in the Unincorporated Jurisdiction; and estimates of the quantity of organics generated and those covered under AB1826. A needs assessment calculating the difference between the then-current services and infrastructure and that which will be needed in the future was also provided. Finally, an implementation plan to achieve full compliance with California’s organics recycling legislation was developed.