Letter to the Editor: Downey lags in environmental sustainability

Dear Editor:

So far California’s new 2022 Senate Bill (SB 1383) requiring organic waste recycling has been more suggestion than edict. Many cities have been unable to follow through on this mandate due to lacking infrastructure, funds or, at worst, interest. Downey is no exception.

As a long-time Downey resident, I’m proud to live in a city with a bustling economy and strong civic spirit; however, seeing Downey lag in the critical area of environmental sustainability is disappointing.

To the city of Downey’s defense, the problem encompasses a broader scope than our own city. Los Angeles has only begun in 2019 a pilot program offering organic recycling set to expand to 750,000 households by January 2023. With a total population of about 4 million, this means that only about 20% will have access to this service by start of next year—far behind CA’s mandated start date.

Other cities like Santa Monica and El Segundo have been able to implement their respective organic recycling programs more quickly. El Segundo residents, for instance, have received green bins to recycle food waste. Compositing at home is also an option with materials provided by the city. Granted Downey houses more residents than both aforementioned cities, but given its strong entrepreneurial spirit and civic character, a swift implementation of such California laws should also be within reach.

A California website that directs residents to their respective trash disposal options shows that CalMet Services provides trash disposal services to Downey residents. A company based in Paramount, it describes itself as a “family-owned company” whose mission involves “environmentally responsible rubbish collection.” Currently, it only offers 3 options for waste disposal designated by the traditional green (green-waste barrel), black (trash barrel) or blue (recycle barrel) bins. Reading these guidelines with no indication of future changes aligning with the new California bill naturally led to some compelling questions. How is this company helping residents align to the new state mandate? What are the reasons for any kind of delays? When can we expect to be able to follow through on these changes?

Upon contact and further inquiry, two possible solutions are offered by CalMet Services and the Downey Public Works Department. First of all, CalMet Services provided an email update to their waste disposal guidelines stating that organic waste, except meat and dairy, could be placed in the green bin. “Anything that grows, goes,” they stated as a general rule for dumping in the green bin. Moreover, contacting the Downey Public Works Department, one representative responded that a new organic recycling bin should be available in November. Both offer distinct, yet not mutually exclusive explanations of how this issue is being addressed. However, both fall short in that the former does not account for all of organic waste recycling and the latter in that the changes mean a delay of another few months.

California, unfortunately, does not seem to be offering subsidies to companies to make the transition, which could pose a challenge for small family-owned companies like CalMet. Nonetheless, with enough financial incentive in terms of increased revenue on new bins and increased public pressure, the change should be feasible and desirable.

Food waste has a significant greenhouse footprint. As it goes to the landfill and rots, it produces methane—a greenhouse gas even more potent that carbon dioxide. Food waste thus accounts for 6-8% of human-caused greenhouse gases. Given the increasing adverse impacts of climate change felt worldwide from rising temperatures to melting glaciers, immediate changes, like proper food recycling, are a moral and natural prerogative for a sustainable, bright future that require holding ourselves and our local institutions accountable.

Ricardo Mayo
Downey