Attachment_C_Admin_Memo_B-33.pdf

This is an Administrative Memorandum from the County of San Mateo, specifically from the Office of Sustainability, detailing state-mandated procurement requirements under California Senate Bill 1383. The document outlines a policy requiring all county departments to procure recycled-content paper products that consist of at least 30 percent postconsumer fiber, with encouragement to use 100 percent postconsumer fiber products whenever possible. The policy also mandates that county departments procure specific amounts of compost, mulch, and renewable natural gas annually, and maintain detailed records of these procurement activities.

The administrative memo is part of a broader climate action initiative, stemming from California's 2016 Senate Bill 1383, which aims to reduce organic waste in landfills by 75 percent from 2014 levels by 2025. The county is required to update procurement practices with vendors and contractors, incorporating provisions for sustainable material procurement. County departments must complete and submit Paper Product Procurement Reporting Forms and Compost, Mulch, and Renewable Natural Gas Procurement Reporting Forms to track compliance. The policy became effective on March 1, 2022, and aligns with the county's Climate Emergency Declaration passed in 2019, which committed to investing in climate solutions across all departments.