History of Solid Waste Management Rules and Regulations That Have Shaped the Current Systems

In This Lesson By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to: (Knowledge Level) recall at least 5 Federal, State or Local laws that have contributed to resource management in California (Knowledge Level) identify key state regulatory agencies in California (Comprehension Level) describe the key components and requirements of Assembly Bill 939 on local government (Application Level) examine existing legislation and draw conclusions as to why certain adopted policies have been able to gain the legislative support needed to become law

Evidence of Trash in Pompeii Tombs Cemeteries in ancient Pompeii were “mixed- use developments” with a variety of purposes that included serving as an appropriate site to toss out the trash. gWmAnY gWmAnY University of Cincinnati

A Historical Perspective … 6500 BC Archeo- logical studies show a clan of Native Americans produced 5.3 pounds of waste a day 500 BC First municipal dump in the western world is organized in Athens Greece. Waste must be dumped at least a mile from city limits 1388 English Parliament bars waste from being disposed in public waterways and ditches Data shows that waste creates unsanitary conditions. Various diseases such as Bubonic Plague, cholera and typhoid fever were linked to filth caused by trash Late 1800’s first incinerator was built in the U.S The first modern sanitary landfill was build in Fresno, CA The History of Waste, Roberta Crowell Barbalace, environmentalchemistry.com

Modern Day… Pre 1950’s System of built-in Resource Management Post war consumption, product growth 1965 first Federal solid waste mgmt law Commingled garbage collection, and creation of sanitary landfill and packer truck. Compacted materials no longer resources, but garbage First Earth Day 1970 Creation of EPA and federal laws to protect air, water and land. Growing awareness of environmental issues California launches 20 years of aggressive policy to reduce landfill dependence SB5 SB2020 AB939 SB – 2012 Post AB939 Era. Shift in CA from recycling to Zero Waste. AB32 AB341-State adopted goal of 75% through reuse, recycling and composting AB1826

Recycling pre-1950’s There was less packaging & fewer material types; trash was hand-sorted by collectors [paper, glass bottles, metal, pig food, & a small pile of trash]

Recycling post-1950’s New Types of Packaging (especially plastics & toxics) More Prepared Foods- Less Fresh Food More Distant Landfills Packer Trucks make Garbage

Historical Disposal Practices Burn Barrel = Bad Air Dump it in the Creeks = Bad Water Open Burning Dumps = Bad Air Unlined Landfills = Bad Water =====  Post Regulatory Disposal Practices Lined Landfills = Better Water Methane Recovery = Better Air Modern Landfills = Wasted Resources

Federal Legislation: 1970’s The EPA was created on December 2, 1970 in response to growing public concern and a grass roots movement to "do something" about the deteriorating conditions of water, air, and land. The Clean Air Act EPA is responsible for protecting and improving the nation's air quality. Manufacturing the Products we consume is a major source of Air Pollution. Recycling reduces air pollution.

Federal Legislation: 1970’s Clean Water Act Provides for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program and regulates the discharge of pollutants from point sources to waters of the United States Trash characterization studies Resource Conservation & Recovery Act Protect us from the hazards of waste disposal; Conserve energy and natural resources by recycling and recovery; Reduce or eliminate waste; and Clean up waste, which may have spilled, leaked, or been improperly disposed.

California Legislation [ lation/CalHist] SB 5 – “Solid Waste Management and Resource Recovery Act” (1972) SB 2020 – The “Bottle Bill” (1986) AB 939 – “Integrated Waste Management Act” (1989) SB 20 – “Electronic Waste Recycling Act” (2003) AB 32 – “Global Warming Solutions Act” (2006) AB 341 – “Mandatory Commercial Recycling” (2011) AB 1826 – Commercial Organics Recycling (2015) CalRecycle (formerly Ca Integrated Waste Management Board or CIWMB) is the State Agency responsible for the oversight of most all environmental regulation in California.

California Senate Bill Established a comprehensive state solid waste management and resource recovery policy to protect the public health, safety, and well-being, to preserve the environment; and provide for the maximum reutilization and conversion to other uses of the resources contained there-in. 10 Member Board 25 Member Advisory Council Policy County SWM Plans

Senate Bill 5 (SB5) (cont) County Solid Waste Mgmt Plans Lots of information on garbage, Little info on recycling Focus on upgrading landfills US EPA promoted incineration as the alternative to landfills

Assembly Bill 2020 (AB2020)-1986 Bottle Bill Enacted the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act, to be implemented by the Department of Conservation. Established redemption values on beverage containers and required the establishment of at least one certified recycling center in a convenience zone to pay out the refunds.

What do you believe were the key drivers for AB2020 policy?

Senate Bill 332 (SB332) Made numerous revisions to the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act. Expanded the definition of “beverage” to include carbonated and noncarbonated water, noncarbonated soft drinks and sport drinks, noncarbonated fruit drinks containing any percentage of fruit juice, coffee and tea drinks, and carbonated fruit drinks if those products are sold in plastic, glass, bi-metal, or aluminum containers in liquid, ready-to-drink form and intended for human consumption.

Assembly Bill 23 (AB23) Increased the amount of the redemption payment to 5-cents for every beverage container sold or transferred and would increase the redemption payment for beverage containers with 24 or more ounces to 10-cents.

Assembly Bill 939 (AB939)-1989 This was California’s Landmark Recycling Legislation Required each city and county to plan and implement programs to divert 25 percent of all solid waste from landfill or transformation facilities by January 1, 1995; and, divert 50 percent by January 1, 2000 through source reduction, recycling, and composting activities.

What were some of the key drivers for AB939 legislation? 22

AB939 has been a success! Most Californians have access to convenient recycling programs.

Senate Bill 20 (SB20) Requires manufacturers of electronic devices to establish an electronic device recovery system; includes fees on purchase of electronic devices, and authorized the CIWMB to expend the funds on recycling incentive payments

Assembly Bill 32 (AB32) Requires the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to develop regulations and market mechanisms that will ultimately reduce California's greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by Mandatory caps will begin in 2012 for significant sources and ratchet down to meet the 2020 goals.

Greenhouse Gasses We are only now beginning to evaluate the role of recycling, composting, and landfill operations in reducing GHGs. (Methane is x more potent than CO2 & landfills are one of the largest man-made sources of methane)

Assembly Bill 341 (AB341) Mandatory Commercial Recycling: Requires CalRecycle to implement a mandatory commercial recycling program beginning in 2012; and will cover businesses that generate 4 cubic yards or more, and apartments with 5 or more units.

Assembly Bill 1826 (AB1826)-2014 January 1, 2016: Local jurisdictions must have an organic waste recycling program in place. April 1, 2016: Businesses generating 8-cubic yards of organic waste / week must arrange for organic waste recycling services. January 1, 2017: Businesses generating 4- cubic yards of organic waste / week must arrange for organic waste recycling services. January 1, 2019: Businesses generating 4- cubic yards or more of commercial solid waste /week must arrange for organic waste recycling services. Summer/Fall 2021: If CalRecycle determines that the statewide disposal of organic waste in 2020 has not been reduced by 50 percent of the level of disposal during 2014, the organic recycling requirements on businesses will expand to cover businesses that generate two cubic yards or more of commercial solid waste per week.

Other Important Bills AB Paint Recovery Act (2010) AB Carpet Product Stewardship (2010) SB254 – Used Mattress Recovery & Recycling (2013)

Local Policies Zero Waste Plastic Bag Ordinances Polystyrene Ordinances Bottle Water Ordinance Safe Drug Disposal Ordinance

Bay Area Cities Adopt Plastic Bag Ordinance Stopwaste -Alameda County Cities (2013) Belmont (2013) Brisbane (2013) Burlingame (2013) Campbell (2013) Colma (2013) Cupertino (2013) Daly City (2013) Danville (2014) East Palo Alto (2013) Foster City (2013) Half Moon Bay (2013) Los Altos (2013) Los Gatos (2013) Marin County (2013) Martinez (2013) Menlo Park (2013) Millbrae (2013) Mountain View (2013) Pacifica (2013) Palo Alto (2009) Portola Valley (2013) Redwood City (2013) Richmond (2014) San Bruno (2013) San Carlos (2013) San Francisco (2007) San Jose (2013) San Mateo (2013) San Mateo County (2013) San Rafael (2014) Santa Clara (2014) Santa Clara County (2011) Sausalito (2013) South San Francisco (2011) Sunnyvale (2013) Walnut Creek (2014)

Bay Area Cities Adopt Polystyrene Ordinance Alameda (2008) Albany (2008) Belmont (2012) Berkeley (1988) Burlingame (2011) Campbell (2014) Cupertino (2014) El Cerrito (2014) Emeryville (2008) Foster City (2012) Fremont (2011) Half Moon Bay (2011) Hayward (2011) Lafayette (2015) Livermore (2010) Los Altos (2014) Los Altos Hills (2012) Los Gatos (2014) Marin County (2010) Menlo Park (2012) Millbrae (2008) Mill Valley (2009) Morgan Hill (2014) Mountain View (2014) Oakland (2007) Pacifica (2010) Palo Alto (2010) Pittsburg (1993) Portola Valley (2012) Redwood City (2013) Richmond (2014) San Bruno (2010) San Carlos (2012) San Francisco (2007) San Jose (2014) San Leandro (2012) San Mateo (2013) San Mateo County (2008) San Rafael (2013) Santa Clara County (2013) Sausalito (2008) Scotts Valley (2009) South San Francisco (2008) Sunnyvale (2013) Walnut Creek (2009)

SF Bottle Water Ordinance Chapter 24: Restricts sale or distribution on City property of drinking water in plastic bottles of 21 ounces or less. Chapter 23: Bottle Filling Stations, ordinance amending the Environment Code, by adding Chapter 23, to require new buildings that have drinking fountains to provide bottle filling stations.

Responsible State Agencies California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal EPA) CA Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) Air Quality Management Districts (AQMD & SCAQMD) CA Air Resources Board & Air Districts (CARB) Water Resources Control Board & Districts (WRB) Department of General Services (GS)