Update: AB 473 was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger on Oct 11. Veto Message.

Summary.
Provides a residential recycling opportunity for more than 7.1 million Californians residing in more than 2.4 million multifamily dwelling units.

Position and Status.
CAW Supports. AB 473 was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger on Oct. 11.  AB 473 previously has passed both houses of the legislature, as well as the Assembly and Senate Policy and Fiscal Committees.

Description.
California as a whole currently diverts more than 50 percent of its generated waste, with only an estimated 15% of waste generated at multifamily dwellings being diverted.

While nearly 70 percent of Californians living in single family homes have access to curbside recycling, no more than 40 percent of those living in multifamily dwellings have access to a residential recycling opportunity-and many of those are unaware of it.

AB 473 will require that an owner of a multifamily dwelling to arrange appropriate recycling services for the dwelling on and after July 1, 2009. The bill is identical to two bills CAW sponsored in the previous legislative session, AB 548 and AB 822.

Take Action.

• Tell Governor Schwarzenegger to sign AB 473 into law.
• Send a letter to the Governor showing your orgnization's support for multi-family recycling.
  (Here is a sample letter to get you started)

CAW Staff Contacts.

Mark Murray and Nick Lapis (916) 443-5422

Assembly Member Bob Blumenfield
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814

Supporters.
Californians Against Waste
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME AFL-CIO)
Breathe California
California State Association of Counties
Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority
Green CA
Marin Resource Recovery
Marin Sanitary Service
Orange County Board of Supervisors
Sierra Club California
Solid Waste Association of North America
City of Sunnyvale

Opposition.

Current Language, Analyses, Votes.