Attachment_C_Admin_Memo_B-33.pdf

This is an Administrative Memorandum from the County of San Mateo, California, specifically issued by the Office of Sustainability, addressing state-mandated procurement requirements under California Senate Bill 1383. The policy applies to all county departments and requires them to: 1) procure recycled-content paper products that can be recycled, 2) procure a specific amount of qualifying compost, mulch, and renewable natural gas annually, and 3) maintain detailed procurement records. The mandate stems from a 2016 bill establishing statewide emissions reduction targets for short-lived climate pollutants, with the goal of reducing organic waste in landfills by 75 percent from 2014 levels by 2025.

The memorandum outlines specific procurement guidelines, including requirements for paper products to contain at least 30 percent postconsumer fiber, with encouragement to use 100 percent postconsumer fiber when possible. County departments must also require contractors and vendors to provide paper products meeting these recycled content standards and complete detailed procurement reporting forms. Additionally, the policy requires departments to procure compost, mulch, and renewable natural gas products only from eligible sources, with reporting requirements to track these purchases. The provisions of this policy took effect on March 1, 2022, and align with the County's Climate Emergency Declaration passed in 2019, which aims to invest in climate solutions across all county departments.