2005-06 Legislation
Table of Contents:
Click on the header of any of the following bills to get more information.
AB 1866 (Karnette) Polystyrene Packaging Prohibition - Support
Prohibits the sale, possession or distribution of Expanded Polystyrene food containers (commonly called "Styrofoam") by state facilities beginning January of 2008. AB 1866 failed passage in the Assembly Appropriations Committee in 2006.
AB 1940 (Koretz) Marine Debris Task Force - Support
Creates a multiagency taskforce to formulate and implement a state plan addressing marine debris. AB 1940 was put on the Senate Appropriations Committee's suspense file in 2006.
AB 2118 (Matthews) Solid Waste. Conversion Technology Definitions and Regulation
Addresses conversion technologies (CT). This bill is still a work in progress. As it stands, AB 2118 would change the definition of composting to include anaerobic digestion and adds legislative intent to define conversion technology. This bill failed passage on the Assembly floor in 2006.
AB 2147 (Harman) Compostable Plastics Labeling - Support
Prohibits labeling plastic food or beverage containers as "biodegradable," "degradable," or "compostable," unless the container meets the current ASTM standard for the term used on the label. AB 2147 was signed by the Governor on September 20, 2006.
AB 2202 (Saldaña) Toxic Electronics Phase Out - Support
Phases out the use of specified hazardous materials in consumer electronics, consistent with European Union ROHS Directive. AB 2202 was put on the suspense file in the Senate Appropriations Committee 2006. CAW sponsored a new bill in 2008, similar to this, AB 218.
AB 2206 (Montañez) Multifamily Recycling - Support
This measure is aimed at bringing the opportunity of recycling to residents of apartments and other multifamily dwellings. AB 2206 was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger on September 29, 2006.
AB 2211 (Karnette) Solid Waste Cleanup - Support
Expands funding opportunities for local governments to clean up illegally disposed waste, including waste dumped in municipal sewer systems. AB 2211 was signed by the Governor on September 29, 2006.
AB 2271 (Koretz) Battery Recycling Program - Support
Establishes a consumer recycling value and financing system for the collection and recycling of household batteries. AB 2271 was put on hold in the Assembly Appropriations Suspense File in 2006.
AB 2296 (Montañez) Landfill Post Closure Financial Assurance
This measure will require the CIWMB to study the potential long-term threats to the environment from landfills as well as various financial assurance mechanisms that would protect the state from liability associated with those threats. AB 2296 was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger September 27, 2006.
AB 2449 (Levine) Plastic Bag Litter and Waste Reduction
AB 2449 requires all CA grocery stores to take back and recycle plastic grocery bags. The bill also requires retailers to provide consumers with a bag reuse opportunity. Retailers and manufactures will be required to implement a public education program, and all bags must be labeled 'Please Return to a Participating Store for Recycling.' AB 2449 was signed by the Governor on September 30, 2006, and its provisions will go into effect July 1, 2007.
AB 3001 (Pavley) Toxic Computer Recycling - Support
Expands scope of the 2003 SB 20 E-waste Recycling ARF law to include Personal Computers. AB 3001 was put on hold in the Assembly Appropriations Suspense File in 2006.
AB 3056 (Hancock) Bottle Bill Program Funding - Support
This measure will expand recycling in California by increasing market-based incentives for consumers, recyclers, and end-users of beverage container glass, plastic and aluminum without increasing costs to consumers, local government or taxpayers. Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 3056 on Sept. 30, 2006.
SB 369 (Simitian) Tire Recycling - Support
This measure extends the sunset date for the local government rubberized asphalt concrete (RAC) grant program at the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB). Governor Schwarzenegger signed SB 369 on September 18, 2006.
SB 928 (Perata) Waste Diversion - Support
Existing law requires a city or county source reduction element to divert 50% of all solid waste from landfill disposal or transformation by January 1, 2000, through source reduction, recycling, and composting activities. This bill would change that percentage to an unspecified amount as of January 1, 2011.
SB 931 (Florez) Pollution Control Financing - Support
This measure would restrict new and expanded large scale dairies from receiving taxpayer subsidized financing through the Pollution Control Financing Authority unless they can demonstrate that the facilities can achieve an actual reduction in pollution. AB 931 failed passage on reconsideration on the Assembly Floor in September 2006.
SB 1305 (Figueroa) Medical Waste - Support
This measure would prohibit disposal of Hypodermic Needles (Sharps) in household trash. SB 1305 was approved by Gov. Schwarzenegger on July 12, 2006, and will take effect September 1, 2008.
SB 1344 (Chesbro) Plastic Container Recycling
Expands compliance options under existing plastic container recycling law for manufacturers that utilize California generated recycled plastic. Status: The bill was signed by the Governor on August 22, 2006, and has been chaptered by the Secretary of State.
Updates State Rules for Use of Compost. This bill would increase, to 90%, the minimum content of certain materials, that would otherwise normally be disposed of in landfills, of which the recycled compost, co-compost, and mulch must consist of. SB 1345 was put on hold in the Senate Committee on Appropriations in 2006.
SB 1573 (Alarcón) Packaging Waste Reduction - Support
Requires the California Integrated Waste Management Board to update of the Preferred Packaging Procurement Guidelines, originally published by the board in 1994, so as to provide specified information to the private sector and recommend specific changes in state law to assist in reducing and preventing packaging waste. Although the bill passed the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on April 24, it was held under submission in the Senate Appropriations Committee in May 2006.
SB 1778 (Alarcón) Establishes Incentives for Greenwaste Composting
Would phase out diversion credit for use of greenwaste material as Alternative Daily Cover. SB 1778 was put on hold in the Senate Committee on Appropriations in 2006.
AB 1866 (Karnette, 2005-06) Polystyrene Packaging Prohibition - Support
Summary. Prohibits the sale, possession or distribution of Expanded Polystyrene food containers (commonly called "Styrofoam") by state facilities beginning January of 2008.
Status. AB 1866 failed passage in the Assembly Appropriations Committee in 2006.
Description. This bill would prohibit a state facility from selling, possessing, or distributing an expanded polystyrene food container on and after January 1, 2008. State agencies would also have to require their prospective bidders to certify that they, and their agents and subsidiaries, would not sell, possess, or distribute expanded polystyrene food containers. The chapter would apply to the campuses of the University of California only upon the approval of the Board of Regents of the University of California.
Supporters.
Californians Against Waste (sponsor)
California Refuse Removal Council
Natural Resources Defense Council
Planning and Conservation League
Sierra Club California
Opponents.
American Chemistry Council
California Chamber of Commerce
California Manufacturers and Technology Association
California Restaurant Association
Foodservice & Packaging Institute
Polystyrene Packaging Council
Styrene Information Research Center
Western Fairs Association
AB 1940 (Koretz, 2005-06) Marine Debris Task Force - Support
Summary. Creates a multiagency taskforce to formulate and implement a state plan addressing marine debris.
Status. AB 1940 was put on the Senate Appropriations Committee's suspense file in 2006.
Description. Existing law, the California Coastal Act of 1976, provides for the maintenance, enhancement, or restoration of the marine environment, where feasible. This bill would require the State Coastal Commission to convene a multiagency task force, consisting of specified representatives from various departments, to implement a plan of statewide marine debris reduction efforts.
CAW Staff Contact: Mark Murray
Current Actions.
NONE
Assembly Member Paul Koretz
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0042;
Supporters. Californians Against Waste
Sierra Club California
California Coastal Commission
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante
StopWaste.org
Opponents: Not Yet Registered
AB 2118 (Matthews, 2005-06) Solid Waste. Conversion Technology Definitions and Regulation
Description:
AB 2118 (Matthews) addresses conversion technologies (CT). This bill is still a work in progress. As it stands, AB 2118 would change the definition of composting to include anaerobic digestion, and adds legislative intent to define conversion technology.
Status.
This bill failed passage on the Assembly floor in 2006.
AB 2147 (Harman, 2005-06) Compostable Plastics Labeling - Support
Summary. Prohibits labeling plastic food or beverage containers as "biodegradable," "degradable," or "compostable," unless the container meets the current ASTM standard for the term used on the label
Status. AB 2147 was signed by the Governor on September 20, 2006.
Description. Existing law prohibits a person from selling a plastic bag that is labeled as "biodegradable," "compostable," or "degradable," unless the plastic bag meets a current American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM) the labeled term. Manufacturers and suppliers are required to submit to members of the public, upon their request, information and documentation demonstrating compliance with these labeling requirements within 90 days of the request. This bill imposes similar requirements on compostable plastic food or beverage containers.
CAW Staff Contact: (916) 443-5422
Current Actions.
NONE
Supporters: CAW
Opponents: Not Yet Registered
AB 2202 (Saldaña, 2005-06) Toxic Electronics Phase Out - Support
Summary.
Phases out the use of specified hazardous materials in consumer electronics, consistent with European Union ROHS Directive.
Status.
AB 2202 was put on the suspense file in the Senate Appropriations Committee 2006. CAW is currently sponsoring a new bill in 2008, similar to this, AB 218.
Description.
In 2003, the legislature adopted SB 20 (Sher), the E-waste Recycling Act, which included a provision establishing a phase out of the use of specified toxic materials in "covered electronic devices" (CED's), effective January 1, 2007. CED's are currently limited to electronic devices containing a screen larger than 4 inches. This measure would amend the definition of CED's to include virtually all consumer electronics. The effective date of the phase out would be January 1, 2008. The proposed definition of CED's and toxic phase out provisions track the requirements ROHS Directive adopted in 2003 by the European Union. (View the ROHS Directive - pdf).
CAW Staff Contacts.
Mark Murray (916) 443-5422
Current Actions.
No current actions.
Assembly Member Lori Saldaña
State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814
Supporters.
Breast Cancer Fund
Californians Against Waste (sponsor)
Californians for Alternatives to Toxics
California Electronic Asset Recovery
National Resource Defense COuncil
Earth Tones
Electronic Components Certification Board
Planning and Conservation League
San Francisco Board of Supervisors
San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Mgmt Authority
Sierra Club California
Sony Electronics
Opposition.
American Electronics Association
Cingular Wireless
California Chamber of Commerce
California Manufacturers and Technology Association
Consumer Electronic Association
CTIA-The Wireless Association
Electronic Industries Alliance
General Electric
OSRAM Sylvania
National Electrical Manufactures Association
QUALCOMM, Inc.
Semiconductor Industry Association
Silicon Valley Leadership Group
Current Language, Analyses and votes.
Print-friendly summary (100kb pdf)
Media on AB 2202.
E-Waste Bill Moves from Assembly Environmental Committee California Chronicle, CA - May 2, 2006
Assembly Bill to Help Decrease Hazardous E-waste California Chronicle, CA - Feb 23, 2006
AB 2206 (Montañez, 2005-06) Multifamily Recycling - Support
Summary. This measure is aimed at bringing the opportunity of recycling to residents of apartments and other multifamily dwellings.
Status.
AB 2206 was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger on September 29, 2006.
Description. The California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989 established an integrated waste management program requiring local agencies to divert 50% of solid waste by 2000. This bill (similar to last year's AB 399, which was vetoed by the Governor) would expand on this act to require owners and managers of multifamily dwellings to offer assistance and information to residents to achieve higher levels of recycling in multifamily dwellings, which account for 8% of the disposed waste stream. AB 2006 would also require local agencies, in their annual report to the CIWMB, to provide a summary of progress made in the diversion and recycling of waste material at multifamily dwellings.
CAW Staff Contacts.
Mark Murray (916) 443-5422
Supporters.
Californians Against Waste
Alameda County Waste Management Authority
Planning and Conservation League
Sierra Club California
AB 2211 (Karnette, 2005-06) Solid Waste Cleanup - Support
Summary.
Expands funding opportunities for local governments to clean up illegally disposed waste, including waste dumped in municipal sewer systems.
Status.
AB 2211 was signed by the Governor on September 29, 2006.
Description.
Illegal dumping is a perennial problem in our state, costing the state millions of dollars in economic, environmental, and aesthetic impacts. While most of the time we think of garbage dumps being an inland problem, increasingly, illegally disposed waste from our urban areas is ending up in our rivers and oceans. City storm sewers have become both a conduit for pollution, as well as unintended waste "catches." The Board’s illegal disposal site cleanup program provides technical and economic support to local governments who are either unable to afford cleanup, or do not have the technical expertise to handle cleanups in a timely manner. AB 2211 would formally expand the program to include activities to remove or abate solid waste that was illegally dumped into a municipal storm sewer system.
CAW Staff Contacts.
Nick Lapis (916) 443-5422
AB 2271 (Koretz, 2005-06) Battery Recycling Program - Support
Summary.
Establishes a consumer recycling value and financing system for the collection and recycling of household batteries.
Status.
AB 2271 was put on hold in the Assembly Appropriations Suspense File in 2006.
Description.
Under existing law (AB 1125 Pavley), all retailers of rechargeable batteries (excluding grocery stores and retailers that do less than $1 million in annual revenue), on and after July 1, 2006, are required to take back used rechargeable batteries for reuse, recycling, or proper disposal, at no cost to the consumer.
AB 2271 establishes a Consumer Refund Value (CRV) system for one-time use household (Alkaline) batteries. California has pioneered the use of a CRV system to stimulate the recycling of disposable beverage containers as well as used motor oil. By establishing a 10-cent refund value and utilizing existing recycling service providers, we can help reduce the more than 38,000 tons of toxic batteries that are landfilled annually. Establishing a consumer redemption value on all toxic household batteries will help consumers comply with current state regulations that make it illegal to dispose any battery in a common trash can and will incentivize residents to recycle every household battery for cash. The effective date of this bill would be January 1, 2007.
CAW Staff Contacts.
Mark Murray (916) 443-5422
Current Actions.
None at this time.
Supporters.
Californians Against Waste (Sponsor)
California Alliance for Consumer Protection
Californians for Alternatives to Toxics
California Electronic Asset Recovery
City of Los Angeles
Sustainable Moraga
Opponents.
American Electronics Assoc
California Chamber of Commerce
California Grocers Assoc
California Manufacturers and Technology Assoc
Consumer Specialty Products Assoc
Grocery Manufacturers of America
Industrial Environmental Assoc
Kimberly-Clark
National Electrical Manufacturers Assoc
AB 2296 (Montañez, 2005-06) Landfill Post Closure Financial Assurance
Summary.
This measure will require the CIWMB to study the potential long-term threats to the environment from landfills as well as various financial assurance mechanisms that would protect the state from liability associated with those threats.
Status.
AB 2296 was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger September 27, 2006.
Description.
The CIWMB currently requires landfill operators to provide financial assurance to the state that the operator will be able to close the landfill and maintain the landfill for at least 30 years after closure. The law only requires assurances for routine maintenance type activities, and does not address replacement of major equipment if necessary, or corrective action in the event of a catastrophic failure.
AB 2296 is the first step in addressing the shortcomings in current law. It will require operators to provide assurances for replacement and repair of environmental control systems. It also requires the Board to study the potential long term threats landfills pose to the environment.
CAW Staff Contacts
Nick Lapis (916) 443-5422
AB 2449 (Levine, 2005-06) Plastic Bag Litter and Waste Reduction
Summary.
AB 2449 requires all CA grocery stores to take back and recycle plastic grocery bags. The bill also requires retailers to provide consumers with a bag reuse opportunity. Retailers and manufactures will be required to implement a public education program, and all bags must be labeled 'Please Return to a Participating Store for Recycling.'
Status.
AB 2449 was signed by the Governor on September 30, 2006, and its provisions will go into effect July 1, 2007.
Description.
Starting July 1, 2007, AB 2449 has established a 6-year pilot program requiring most large grocery stores and other retailers to create an in-store recycling program for the collection and recycling of plastic 'carry out' bags. The program will include:
Labeling bags to return to the store for recycling.
Placing recycling bins in visible and accessible locations for customers.
The provision of reusable bags for customers to potentially purchase and use in lieu of disposable ones.
In addition, plastic bag manufacturers would be required to work with the grocery stores on their programs to help ensure the proper collection, transportation and recycling of the plastic bags.
CAW Staff Contacts:
Mark Murray (916) 443-5422
Supporters:
Alameda County Waste Management Authority
Californians Against Waste
California League of Conservation Voters
Planning & Conservation League
Sea Turtle Restoration Project
City of Adelanto
City of Millbrae
Sierra Club California
Poly-America (maker of recycled plastic trash bags)
Trex (maker of recycled plastic lumber)
Additional Resources:
AB 3001 (Pavley, 2005-06) Toxic Computer Recycling - Support
Summary.
Expands scope of the 2003 SB 20 E-waste Recycling ARF law to include Personal Computers
Status.
AB 3001 was put on hold in the Assembly Appropriations Suspense File in 2006.
Description.
In 2003, the legislature adopted SB 20 (Sher), the E-waste Recycling Act, which established a $6-10 advanced recycling fee on all Covered Electronic Devices (CEDs). Under current CED definition, only CRT-containing devices, including computers and monitors, LCD televisions and monitors, and plasma TVs are covered. AB 3001 will extend this law to include all personal computers that contain Computer Processing Units (CPUs), which consumers will pay a $6 recycling fee.
CAW Staff Contact.
Mark Murray (916) 443-5422
Supporters.
Allied Waste Services
Californians Against Waste (Sponsor)
California Electronic Assett Recovery
Californians for Alternatives to Toxics
California League of Cities
Californians Refuse Removal COuncil
Camarillo Recycling, Inc
California State Association of Counties
CJ Seto Support Services, LLC
Goodwill Industries
E-Recycling of California
Electronic Manufacturers Coalition for Responsible Recycling
League of California Cities
Los Angeles County Integrated Waste Management Taskforce
M-Cubed LLC
San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Mgmt Authority
Solid Waste Association of North America
Sony Electronics
Waste Management
Opponents.
Hewlett Packard
AB 3056 (Hancock, 2005-06) Bottle Bill Program Funding - Support
Summary.
This measure will expand recycling in California by increasing market-based incentives for consumers, recyclers, and end-users of beverage container glass, plastic and aluminum without increasing costs to consumers, local government or taxpayers.
Status.
Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 3056 on Sept. 30, 2006.
Description.
California's Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act, provides consumers with a 4 cent refund value (8 cents for larger containers) recycling covered beverage containers. The bill is also aimed at modifying funding provisions under the California Bottle Bill in light of growing revenue surpluses (estimated at $65 million annually). To help increase recycling, AB 3056, will:
Increase consumer refund values to 5 cents on January 1, without increasing consumer redemption payments;
Expand the successful Quality Incentive Payment program for all container types in order to increase the recovery and quality of materials collected thru curbside programs;
Establish a market development payment program for plastic containers in order to increase the utilization of recycled plastic by re-processors and manufacturers in California;
Expand the market development grant program to assist processors and manufacturers in upgrading facilities and processes for the utilization of materials collected for recycling;
Update the funding system for supermarket-based recycling centers based on the actual survey cost of recycling;
Provide $5 million in grants to local governments to establish and expand multi-family recycling;
Provide $10 million in recycling center incentives to increase recycling levels;
Provide increased support for the recycling and litter reduction efforts of Local Conservation Corps;
Reduce Beverage Producer payments under the program by more than $20 million in 2007 based on a commitment to expend a portion of that savings on advertising to promote recycling in California.
The Key Point of Contention.
All remaining stakeholder issues have been resolved. AB 3056 is jointly supported by local governments, recyclers, processors, beverage producers and container manufacturers, and environmental groups.
CAW Staff Contact: Mark Murray
Current Actions: NONE
Sample Organizational Support Letter : To better help track letter campaigns, please fax a copy of your letter to CAW at 916-443-3912 or e-mail a copy to the CAW staff contact.
Supporters:
Californians Against Waste
California Nevada Soft Drink Association
Coalition of Independent Recyclers
Glass Packaging Institute
Regional Council of Rural Counties
Tomra Pacific, Inc.
Nexcycle
Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries
Allan Company
Waste Management
SB 369 (Simitian, 2005-06) Tire Recycling - Support
Summary.
This measure extends the sunset date for the local government rubberized asphalt concrete (RAC) grant program at the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB).
Status.
Governor Schwarzenegger signed SB 369 on September 18, 2006.
Description.
CAW Staff Contacts.
Tony Hackett, (916) 443-5422
Current Actions.
None
Supporters.
Californians Against Waste
Solid Waste Association of North America
SB 928 (Perata, 2005-06) Waste Diversion - Support
Description. Existing law requires a city or county source reduction element to divert 50% of all solid waste from landfill disposal or transformation by January 1, 2000, through source reduction, recycling, and composting activities. This bill would change that percentage to an unspecified amount as of January 1, 2011.
Status. SB 928 died on file in 2006.
CAW Staff Contacts.
Erica Parker, (916) 443-5422
Current Actions.
None.
Supporters: CAW
Opponents: Not Yet Registered
SB 931 (Florez, 2005-06) Pollution Control Financing - Support
Summary.
This measure would restrict new and expanded large scale dairies from receiving taxpayer subsidized financing through the Pollution Control Financing Authority unless they can
demonstrate that the facilities can achieve an actual reduction in pollution.
Status. AB 931 failed passage on reconsideration on the Assembly Floor in September 2006.
Description.
SB 931 prohibits large scale confined animal feeding operations from being eligible for tax exempt financing from the state's Pollution Control Financing Authority (CPCFA) unless the applicant can demonstrate that the project will meet or exceed the requirements of environmental pollution control laws.
Large scale confined animal feeding operations are known sources of significant air and water pollution. The industry is trending toward larger, consolidated facilities, which have a disproportionate impact on the local environment. SB 931 does nothing to try to block establishment of these facilities. Instead it simply denies them access to low cost/publicly subsidized financing. The purpose of the CPCFA's low-cost financing is to encourage and support industrial technologies that utilize best practices to reduce pollution.
Current Action.
None.
Supporters.
Californians Against Waste
State Treasurer Phil Angelides
Sierra Club California
Opponents.
SB 1305 (Figueroa, 2005-06) Medical Waste - Support
Summary.
This measure would prohibit disposal of Hypodermic Needles (Sharps) in household trash.
Status.
SB 1305 was approved by Gov. Schwarzenegger on July 12, 2006 and will take effect September 1, 2008.
Description.
Every year more than 2 billion needles and syringes are used nationwide outside of healthcare settings and most end up in trash or recycling containers or flushed down toilets, posing serious health risks to children, workers, and the general public.
This bill would revise a section of the state's Medical Waste Management Act to make it a violation of state law for home-generated sharps waste to be placed in solid waste collection containers, including recycling and greenwaste containers. SB 1305 would also require sharps waste to transported in an approved sharps containers and managed by a specified facility (i.e., household hazardous waste facility, medical waste generator facility, or a facility managed as part of a mail back program).
CAW Staff Contacts.
(916) 443-5422
Supporters.
Californians Against Waste
Alameda County Board of Supervisors
Alameda County Health Care Services Agency
Alameda County Environmental Health
Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless Program
Alameda County Sharps Coalition
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees
AFL-CIO
California Hepatitis C Task Force
California Refuse Removal Council
California State Association of Counties
League of California Cities
Planning and Conservation League
Royal Medical Inc United Pharmacy
San Francisco Bay Area Assn. of Diabetes Educators
Sharps Compliance, Inc.
Sierra Club California
Solid Waste Association of North America
Waste Management
Opponents.
American Diabetes Association
California Association for Health Services at Home
SB 1344 (Chesbro, 2005-06) Plastic Container Recycling
Summary. Expands compliance options under existing plastic container recycling law for manufacturers that utilize California generated recycled plastic.
Status. The bill was signed by the Governor on August 22, 2006 and has been chaptered by the Secretary of State.
Description. Existing law requires every rigid plastic packaging container, as defined, sold or offered for sale in this state, to generally meet one of specified criteria, including being made of 25% postconsumer material. Existing law provides that a manufacturer is in compliance with that 25% requirement criteria if the manufacturer makes a demonstration with regard to the consumption of postconsumer material in the manufacture of a rigid plastic packaging container, whether or not that container is subject to those criteria, or a demonstration regarding the exportation of that material to another state or country. The bill would revise the conditions by which a manufacture may demonstrate compliance with that 25% requirement, to include the consumption or export of postconsumer materials used for the manufacture of other plastic products and plastic packaging and would delete the inclusion of postconsumer material that is exported to another country.
CAW Staff Contacts.
Tony Hackett, 916-443-5422
Current Action.
None.
Supporters.
Californians Against Waste
Illinois Tool Works
Sierra Club California
Opponents.
SB 1345 (Chesbro, 2005-06) Composting
Summary.
Updates State Rules for Use of Compost.
Status
SB 1345 was put on hold in the Senate Committee on Appropriations in 2006.
Description.
SB 1345, as introduced, Chesbro Environmental quality: public contracts: recycled products: compost.
(1) Existing law provides various procedures and requirements pertaining to the purchase of recycled items by the state, including, among other things, compost, co-compost, and mulch. This bill would increase, to 90%, the minimum content of certain materials, that would otherwise normally be disposed of in landfills, of which the recycled compost, co-compost, and mulch must consist of.
(2) Existing law requires the Department of General Services and the Integrated Waste Management Board, in consultation with other affected state agencies to maintain specifications for the purchase of compost by the state, as prescribed.
This bill would additionally impose that duty upon the Department of Transportation.
SB 1573 (Alarcón, 2005-06) Packaging Waste Reduction - Support
Summary.
Requires the California Integrated Waste Management Board to update of the Preferred Packaging Procurement Guidelines, originally published by the board in 1994, so as to provide specified information to the private sector and recommend specific changes in state law to assist in reducing and preventing packaging waste.
Status.
Although the bill passed the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on April 24, it was held under submission in the Senate Appropriations Committee in May 2006.
Description.
This bill was amended to require the State Waste Board to update guidelines for packagers to curtail superfluous packaging and incorporate recyclable materials and designs. The updated guidelines would be more specific and current for the public sector as well as include recommendations in state law to address packaging waste. A 2003 U.S. EPA analysis of the Characteristics of Municipal Solid Waste found that containers and packaging accounted for more than 74 million tons of waste--the single largest component (31.7%). The cost burden on local governments and taxpayers for managing packaging waste is conservatively estimated at more than $1.5 billion annually. SB 1573 is intended to address the environmental and economic costs of excess packaging waste on California by directing producers to take responsiblity for reducing that waste.
CAW Staff Contacts.
Mark Murray (916) 443-5422
Current Actions.
None.
Supporters:
Environment California, Los Angeles City
Councilmembers, Sierra Club California,
StopWaste.org, Californians Against Waste
Opponents:
AeA, Alticor, American Chemistry Council,
American Forest & Paper Association, California
Business Properties Association, California
Chamber of Commerce, California Grocers
Association, California League of Food
Processors, California Packaging Alliance,
California Manufacturers & Technology
Association, California Paint Council,
California Retailers Association, Consumer
Specialty Products Association, Cosmetic,
Toiletry and Fragrance Association, Dairy
Institute of California, Dole Packaged Foods,
LLC, Glass Packaging Institute, Grocery
Manufacturers Association, International Diary
Foods Association, Reckitt Benckiser plc,
Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation, The
Society of the Plastics Industry, The Proctor &
Gamble Company, The Soap & Detergent
Association, USANA Health Sciences, Inc.,
Western Growers Association, Wine Institute
SB 1778 (Alarcón, 2005-06) Establishes Incentives for Greenwaste Composting
Summary.
SB 1778 would phase out diversion credit for use of greenwaste material as Alternative Daily Cover.
Status. SB 1778 was put on hold in the Senate Committee on Appropriations in 2006.
CAW Staff Contact: Erica Parker, (916) 443-5422
Supporters:
CAW
California Biomass Energy Alliance
Sierra Club
Opponents: Not Yet Registered