Small and Medium Composting Facilities and Operations

The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery is advancing a statewide Programmatic Environmental Impact Report to support the consistent approval, siting, and development of small and medium compostable material handling facilities across California, in compliance with Senate Bill 1046. This legislative requirement mandates CalRecycle to establish a uniform environmental review framework that evaluates the potential impacts of constructing and operating these facilities statewide, ensuring alignment with the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines. The programmatic approach streamlines future permitting by providing a foundational environmental analysis that local jurisdictions, enforcement agencies, and CalRecycle can reference when evaluating subsequent discretionary actions, reducing redundancy and promoting efficiency in the review process. The PEIR is designed to serve as the initial level of environmental analysis for individual projects, allowing lead and responsible agencies to build upon this statewide assessment with targeted, site-specific evaluations as needed. It will help harmonize decision-making across jurisdictions, address cumulative environmental effects, and facilitate the timely deployment of composting infrastructure to meet state organic waste reduction goals. The effort is led by CalRecycle, with key coordination supported by senior environmental staff and external consultants, and the public can access project updates through the designated CEQAnet portal. While the solicitation is currently in forecast stage with no formal procurement number assigned, the initiative is positioned to significantly influence environmental permitting practices for composting facilities throughout California’s landscape.