October 3, 2006 - Volume 11, Number 17.

In this issue: Legislative Wrap Up: Plastic Bags, Recycling Funding, Multi-Family Recycling - CIWMB Update - Sustainability Summit - Class On Introduction to Recycling - Recycling News - Green Jobs - Feedback

2006 Legislation Wrap-Up

The 2006 legislative session is behind us, with decidedly mixed results. While most of the attention over the last month has been on the fate of bills on the Governor's desk, the real story and legacy of this year is the number and range of priority issues that failed to move forward. As we begin to identify issues and strategize for 2007, it is essential that as a "recycling community", we look to expanding our tent and prioritizing our solutions. I'm anxious to here your thoughts on this. Please e-mail me at: cawrecycles@gmail.com

Plastic Bag Recycling Bill Signed!

AB 2449 by Assembly Member Lloyd Levine was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger into law. The bill proposes a six year pilot program requiring most grocers and other retail stores (more than 7,000 statewide) to take back and recycle plastic bags.

More than 19 billion bags are distributed annually, with less than 5% of bags being recycled. In-store take-back and labeling requirements will help direct bags away from contaminating curbside recycling.

Read the Governor's signing message.

Governor Signs Recycling Funding Bill

AB 3056 by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee and Assembly Member Loni Hancock was recently signed by the Governor. Aimed at expanding beverage container recycling by increasing market-based incentives for consumers, recyclers and end-users, the bill will utilize surplus redemption funds to provide consumers and recyclers with a variety of incentives and new opportunities for beverage container recycling.

Read the Governor's signing message.

Multi-Family Recycling Bill Vetoed

AB 2206 by Assembly Member Cindy Montanez was vetoed by the Governor after a previous defeat in 2005. The bill was aimed at increasing recycling levels at multi-family dwellings by requiring owners and managers of multi-family dwellings to offer assistance and information to residents.

Curbside collection of recyclables is a key contributor to the state's diversion rate, yet more than half of all Californiass multifamily dwellings do not offer containerized recycling opportunities. In the Governor's veto message, he cited significant costs as a deterrent in the measure.

Other Significant Legislative Actions

-SB 369 by Senator Joe Simitian was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger and would extend the sunset date for the local government rubberized asphalt concrete (RAC) grant program until 2011.

-AB 2296 by Assembly Member Cindy Montanez was signed into law by the Governor. The bill will require the CA Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) to conduct a study on the potential long term threats to the environment from landfills and to address financial assurance mechanisms that would potentially affect the closure and postclosure maintenance of landfills.

-AB 1337 by Assembly Member Ira Ruskin was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger. The bill would have required the CIWMB to establish green building standards and requirements for the construction and renovation of state buildings. Click here to read the Governorâ's veto message.

CIWMB Update

At its October 17^th board meeting the CIWMB will consider adopting a new set of Board Governance Policies (item 25). Two sets of policies will be heard, the first dealing with how the Board conducts business as a board, and the second on how it interacts with the staff including the executive director. A third set of policies called "Strategic Directions" is still in development and will be the subject of the next Board Working Session on October 10^th.

The CIWMB has also officially begun its biannual review of its five year tire program. Despite years of continued work on tire issues, more than half of California's used and waste tires are burned or end up in the landfill. The next five year plan workshop will be in Diamond Bar California on October 24^th.

Berkeley Sustainability Summit This Friday

It is not too late to sign up and participate in the First Annual Berkeley Sustainability Summit this Friday October 6 from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. The event will highlight the broad spectrum of sustainability efforts underway in Berkeley from transportation and toxics to creeks and carbon emissions.

CLICK HERE for more information and how to reserve a ticket!

NCRA "Introduction to Recycling" Class

The Northern California Recycling Association will be offering an "Introduction to Recycling" class in both San Francisco and Los Angeles in the next two months!

The three day course is designed for newcomers to the world of recycling and will help train people who would like a quick overview of the current recycling industry and its choice-points for future development.

The San Francisco dates are October 23-25, and the Los Angeles dates are November 13-15.

CLICK HERE for further details and how to sign up!

Recycling News Updates

Sept 23 - Wal-Mart to Demand Less Packaging

Sept 21 - New Report Shows Mercury Contaminating More Species

Sept 11 - States Contemplate California-Style E-waste Law

 

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

 

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.

To be removed from the distribution list, please e-mail us or call 916-443-5422. You can support the work of CAW by subscribing to the Recycling Advocate. Annual subscription rates are $250 for the private sector; $200 for government agencies and $100 for non-profits and individuals. Subscribe online now by clicking here, or contact us by phone or e-mail and we will invoice you.

 

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