November 20, 2006 - Volume 11, Number 18.

In this issue: Elections - CIWMB Board Opening - Enviro Scorecard - Waste Management Forum - Opportunity to Recycle - Recycling News

Elections Bring Little Change in Legislature, But Many New Faces

The elections might have brought change in national politics, but in California, there was little change to talk about. The State Assembly will remain at its current numbers with 48 Democrats and 32 Republicans. The State Senate was the only one in for some possible change, but ultimately will remain 25 Democrats and 15 Republicans. Check out the names of the new and returning members of the 2007 State Assembly and Senate.

Support Grows for Termed-Out Legislators to CIWMB

Come January 2007, there will be two openings on the CA Integrated Waste Management Board and appointed board members should have experience with waste management and recycling policy.

The two openings will be appointed to the CIWMB Board by the Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and State Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata. Environmental groups, including CAW agree that the best candidates would be outgoing State Senator Wes Chesbro and Assembly Member Fran Pavley. Both have extensive environmental backgrounds and experience with waste management and recycling issues.

Read more about the issue on our website.

Letters of support should be addressed to the Assembly Speaker and Senate President Pro Tem.

Latest CLCV Environmental Scorecard

The California League of Conservation Voters released its annual 2006 California Environmental Scorecard, detailing the environmental vote by California legislators and the Governor. Unlike previous years, the highest priority bills relating to the environment in 2006 passed the legislature. Unfortunately, of the 20 scored bills in the report, the Governor only signed ten. This was also the year that the legislature passed and the Governor signed the landmark global warming bill, AB 32 (Pavley/Nunez).

Get the 2006 Environmental Scorecard here.

Quickly compare the 2006 and 2005 environmental record for your legislator by checking out CAW's Assembly Member and Senate pages.

Southern California Waste Management Forum

Global warming is becoming the primary driver for environmental and industrial policy across the world, and solid waste policy is no exception. At the Southern California Waste Management Forum, GHG emissions underpinned most topics on the day's schedule. The Afternoon session was devoted entirely to GHG issues with a panel including Susan Thorneloe (US EPA), Adrienne Alvord (Assembly Member Fran Pavley's office), Mike Mullin (Mayor Villaraigosa's office), Scott Walker (CIWMB), Board Member Rosalie Mule, and Scott Smithline (CAW).

The panel, which was moderated by Chuck White of Waste Management Inc. revealed that GHG policy is not very different than any other solid waste policy. The best policies to reduce GHG emissions are largely the same policies that conserve other resources, and prevent other pollution. CAW estimates that up to half of the GHG emissions from the solid waste sector could be reduced by increasing recycling of common curbside materials by just 15 to 20 percent above current levels. Aside from source reduction, recycling reduces GHG emissions more than any other activity.

Opportunity to Recycle

Take CAW's new poll on making recycling available to all residents.

 

Recycling News Updates

Nov 7 - San Francisco Seeks to Ban Polystyrene

Nov 6 - Plastics Harming World's Oceans

Oct 23 - National Recycling Rate Up

Oct 19 - Report Finds Most Beverage Companies Fail in Recycling

Green Jobs Update: Click Here to find out about environmental jobs.

 

Recycling Advocate Feedback: The Recycling Advocate is always trying to keep you up to date on the recycling issues impacting our state. We want your help. Let us know how we are doing and what issues you may want us to cover in the upcoming newsletters or what issues you are most interested in learning more about in our spectrum of recycling and solid waste management. Email us your feeback. Thanks!

Please Help Support Californians Against Waste

The Recycling Advocate is published at least twice monthly during the legislative session by the environmental group Californians Against Waste.

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