T
he Challenge
When California Senate Bill (SB) 1383 took effect in January 2022, Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD) knew that it would significantly impact its ratepayers and require dedicated communications and outreach. In order to comply with SB 1383, the District was compelled to transition from a two-cart to a three-cart system — significantly impacting internal operations as well as the customer experience. Change is difficult, and communicating the new waste sorting practices and state regulations to the community required advanced communication strategy.
To ensure it met State diversion targets and customers were effectively engaged, CMSD turned to Tripepi Smith.
Our Approach
Beginning in July 2022, Tripepi Smith partnered with CMSD to provide dedicated SB 1383 education and outreach. Our team leveraged its subject matter expertise to strategically engage ratepayers and key stakeholders, working to ensure awareness of organics recycling processes and drive the necessary behavior changes.
Over a three-year period, Tripepi Smith provided dedicated support on numerous deliverables. Our team planned and facilitated community meetings to provide customers an overview of the new three-cart system, along with providing a forum for them to share questions and concerns. Our SB 1383 experts crafted practical language to explain state regulations and new waste sorting practices, then partnered with graphic designers to produce engaging materials — including mailers, cart tags, bill inserts and more.
To capture the attention of an increasingly video-centric audience, Tripepi Smith produced numerous videos for the District. Two PSA series were produced: one serving as an introduction to SB 1383 and the other focusing on CMSD’s three-cart rollout and its impact on customers. In addition, a special animated video was created to educate and empower customers in organics recycling efforts.
Tripepi Smith rounded off this comprehensive approach with onsite photography support, special event support, quarterly communications planning meetings, ongoing project management and regular check-in calls.
T
he Results
CMSD plays an essential role in protecting public health and advancing local sustainability efforts. Through this partnership, Tripepi Smith helped the District maintain those vital functions while meeting new challenges brought by SB 1383.
When CMSD needed to get the word out about new statewide organics recycling requirements, Tripepi Smith delivered — helping CMSD increase awareness and adoption through the deliverables discussed above. Our SB 1383 PSA videos boasted several impressive statistics: the series garnered 142,000 collective views on YouTube, while the Facebook ad campaign reached nearly 32,000 individual users and produced more than 750 engagements. The PSA video series also received an Award of Distinction from the California Association of Public Information Officials.
Tripepi Smith’s outreach support also played a role in several solid waste accomplishments. In 2024 alone, CMSD distributed over 50,400 pounds of free compost to customers and recycled 8,835 tons of organic waste. These achievements are just a few of many and represent this partnership’s success in producing organic recycling habits among CMSD customers.
