In the city of Santa Clarita, a rich wave of progress is apparent in the growing acceptance and enthusiastic participation of local residents in the area of organic recycling. The city has stepped up its efforts, offering thanks to all those community members whose tenacity and dedication have seen the formulation of a groundbreaking food waste recycling program. The city authorities are clearly excited about maintaining this success, hoping to take it to greater heights for many more years.
A big step forward in these environmental efforts was taken in 2023 when Santa Clarita unveiled a new food waste recycling initiative. This move was in line with California’s Senate Bill 1383 which aimed squarely at achieving a significant reduction in organic waste and methane production from landfills. The first half of this year alone, starting January and ending in June, has seen Santa Clarita’s residents and businesses recycle a whopping 16,904 tons of organic waste. These significant numbers encompass both food waste and yard waste, processed solely through the city’s franchised waste hauler recycling program.
Attention now turns to the upcoming holiday season, a time marked by a general tendency across America to contribute to higher levels of food waste. This period particularly spans from Thanksgiving to the closure of the year. It’s a time where tips and tricks to help control food waste are needed, from strategies to cut down waste production, to knowing how to recycle whenever it can’t be helped.
The key lies in planning ahead. This philosophy covers everything from timely meal plans, buying what is necessary, to using innovative digital tools that can provide estimations on food quantities required based on the number of guests expected at an event. Such proactive steps are sure to help save money, while keeping a check on waste production.
Another vital thing is to plan for leftovers, avoiding the otherwise inevitable spoilage by adopting efficient storage methods. One innovative idea is to have guests bring their own reusable containers, making it possible to savor the delicacies later and at the same time, cutting down on waste.
In 2023, Santa Clarita’s food recovery organizations had an influx of generous donations totaling around 1,528,000 pounds of usable food from local grocery stores and eateries. The donated food was systematically categorized and redirected back to community members who needed them. This remarkable drive also only represents a portion of the larger food recovery plan. A number of citizens and organizations jumped into the initiative, either by hosting food drives or actively participating in them, donating edible food or simply spending time volunteering at local non-profit organizations and food pantries. An appeal is issued for everyone to keep this positive stride alive in the holiday season and beyond, extending their generous support through donations to local churches, schools, and nonprofit organizations.
It’s crucial to keep the guidelines in mind for dealing with food scraps which are unfit to eat or when food becomes spoiled and not fit for human consumption. These should be packed and placed into the dedicated green organic containers. Things like skins or peels of fruits and vegetables, eggshells, bones, and food-stained paper fall under this category. A special note on some items like leftover turkey bones and discarded Halloween pumpkins, they all make the list.
As a reminder, due to the processing requirements, food waste should be bagged before being deposited in your organic cart. The recommended step here is to recycle plastic bags hailing from food packaging, grocery outings, or produce shopping, thereby giving them a second life.
Santa Clarita maintains an engaging and comprehensive partnership with the community in achieving its sustainability goals. These efforts seek to secure a bright future for the local environment. Remember that help is always at hand if you have any inquiries about how to get on board or advance your participation in the food waste recycling initiative. You can reach out to the Environmental Services division at (661) 286-4098, for queries or assistance.
