The Loma Prietan
October 2000
Recycling...Is the Garbage Can Half Empty or Half Full?
by Miriam Reiter
Have you ever stopped to consider how much garbage our society is generating or where that garbage goes? Much of it has been buried in landfills, where it is not exposed to air or moisture and does not decay. There is danger of toxic leakage from a landfill into the ground water, even though precautions are taken at these facilities. Not to mention the shortage of space to put the garbage.
To promote garbage minimization, California Assembly Bill 939, which became law in 1989, requires all state cities and counties to divert 50% of their garbage from being sent to landfills by this year. How well is the Loma Prietan area doing?
The success rate of garbage diversion depends on the perspective of the person analyzing the data: Is the garbage can half empty or half full? According to official 1998 rates, out of 24 cities in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, 15 have a diversion rate of 35% or higher, including some with rates as high as 57%. Nine cities have a diversion rate of 35% or lower.
A second method of analyzing how state waste diversion is progressing is to compare diversion rates before and after the waste-reducing legislation was enacted. Statewide, in 1989, 10% of waste was being kept out of the landfill; by 1999, the estimated figure was 37%.
With great effort, recycling professionals have accomplished diversion improvements by creating programs and educating the public to increase participation. Such programs include residential and commercial curbside recycling, collection of organic waste, and disposal services for household hazardous waste. Innovative waste reduction programs are exemplified by the city of Sunnyvale, which began an award-winning Citywide Garage Sale. In Sunnyvale, individual residents register with the city to participate, the city provides information on how to run an efficient garage sale (for example, give unsold items to Goodwill or the Salvation Army) and residents keep any earnings from the sale.
The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) is the state agency which requires jurisdictions to follow a step-by-step waste stream and monitoring compliance system in order to gain Board approval. A "jurisdiction," or each city or county unincorporated area, must file quarterly reports, an annual report, and a biennial report with the CIWMB. If a jurisdiction is clearly having trouble meeting waste diversion requirements, the Board will offer its assistance.
If a jurisdiction flagrantly ignores its responsibilities, California legislation (AB 939) has authorized the Board to fine a jurisdiction up to $10,000 per day for non-compliance. Though the Board has not yet imposed such large fines, it has imposed a few major fines in 1998, none of which were against Loma Prieta jurisdictions.
The CIWMB has not clarified how close a jurisdiction’s year 2000 diversion rate must be to the 50% goal in order to be considered acceptable. One Board staff member said that if a jurisdiction’s waste diversion percentage figure for 1999 was not in the high 40s, then that jurisdiction would probably need to file for an extension. A jurisdiction can file two extensions, each good for three years and will not be fined during that period of time. The Board’s assessment of compliance takes "good faith" efforts into consideration. These include whether the jurisdiction has demonstrated efforts to manage and monitor its waste, and if there are factors involved which are beyond a jurisdiction’s control.
Many Bay Area professionals in the waste management business believe the Board is effective in its waste reduction efforts. It is understood that although the waste percentage figures are not entirely accurate due to numerous variables, they do provide a meaningful way of tracking progress in waste diversion.
Along with meeting statewide requirements, professionals in the waste management business need to comply with state regulations for local permits. For example, Ox Mountain Landfill serving San Mateo County piloted a program for sorting construction and demolition debris. Thenearby jurisdictions supported this project because it diverted a large portion of the waste stream. However, the local enforcement agency, which operates under the Waste Board, required that the Ox Mountain Landfill cease operations due to permitting problems; the landfill was permitted to dispose of waste, but not to sort it. Therefore, a process to apply for a sorting permit at Ox Mountain must be started before the program can be implemented. During the few weeks the program was operating without the necessary permit, over 8,000 tonsof material was diverted from the landfill.
If you have a recycling question or want to learn more about waste stream diversion issues, here are some valuable resources:
Santa Clara County: www.reducewaste.org 800-533-8414
San Mateo County: www.RecycleWorks.org or 888-442-2666
San Benito County: www.wastemanagementholl.com
If you feel ambitious, visit the CIWMB’s extensive Web site: www.ciwmb.ca.gov. You can also make a difference by making comments to your elected officials and City Managers about the subject of waste reduction.
If you are interested in reviving the Loma Prieta committees of Recycling/Solid Waste, please contact Judy Kaufman at the Chapteroffice, 650-390-8411.
The writer has an interest in the subject of plastic packaging reduction and reuse. If you have any such knowledge or if the subject appeals to you. please contact Miriam Reiter at 650-738-9255 or mreiter@slip.net.