The Recycling Advocate - April 8, 2010 - Volume 15, Number 2

The following bills will be heard in committee soon and need support letters. Please take a few minutes to voice your support for recycling and waste reduction.

Plastic Ocean Pollution Reduction, Recycling and Composting Act
AB 2138 (Chesbro) will be heard in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on Monday, April 12 and needs your support.

By now, we've all heard about the pacific garbage patch and seen the horrific images of wildlife poisoned by marine debris. 80% of marine debris comes from urban run-off and is primarily composed of single-use food packaging that has no secondary value. The volume of non-recycled single-use food packaging distributed annually in California is staggering: the fast food sector alone generates 4 million tons of waste annually in California and retailers are currently distributing almost 14 billion plastic bags annually.

This pollution threatens California’s $43 billion ocean economy. Additionally, local governments are burdened with the responsibility of cleaning up what doesn't escape into the ocean, costing families hundreds annually in hidden litter clean up costs.

It's time to for a more comprehensive solution to the problem. AB 2138 (Chesbro) would prohibit food providers from distributing disposable food service packaging or a single-use carryout bag to a consumer unless it meets the criteria for compostable or recyclable packaging.

Take ACTION! Send a support letter for AB 2138


Carpet Product Stewardship
AB 2398 (J. Perez) would establish a producer stewardship program for carpet, requiring carpet manufacturers to design, fund and operate a program to properly manage the carpet they sell in California. Carpet consumes significant landfill space. California disposed of 1.28 million tons of carpet in 2008, representing 3.2% of the waste stream. Current recycling rate is at 4 percent.
A producer stewardship system would have end-of-life management costs far lower than a patchwork of local government programs. It would also be an incentive for manufacturers to design products that have less environmental impacts, as well as provide businesses and consumers with convenient recycling opportunities for carpet statewide.
AB 2398 will be heard in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on Monday, April 19.

Take ACTION! Send a support letter for AB 2398

Mercury Reduction
AB 2176 (Blumenfield) is a measure that reduces mercury emissions from residential fluorescent lighting, promotes efficient lighting, provides critical assistance to overburdened local governments tasked with disposing of mercury-containing bulbs, and creates jobs in recycling programs.  This bill will be heard in Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxics Materials Committee on April 13.

Take ACTION! Send a support letter for AB 2176

Update on bills:
Senator Oropeza's E-waste Reporting Bill, SB 1052, passed Senate Environmental Quality Committtee. This measure helps to streamline disposal of e-waste by state agencies.

SB 1100 by Senator Corbett, also passed the Senate Environmental Quality Committtee. This measure is a producer responsibility bill for household batteries.