Title
Environmental Management Department recommending the Board receive a presentation from members of the El Dorado Solid Waste Advisory Committee regarding current recycling practices and goals going forward. (Est. Time: 30 Min.)
FUNDING: Non-General Fund. County Service Area No. 10 - Solid Waste funds.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On September 15, 1992, the Board approved the formation of the El Dorado Solid Waste Advisory Committee (EDSWAC), which was established, in part, to monitor and evaluate the planning and effectiveness of programs implemented to meet Assembly Bill 939, the Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, and the solid waste objectives set forth and defined in the County’s Integrated Waste Management Plan.
On October 5, 2011, the Governor of California signed Assembly Bill 341, known as California’s Mandatory Commercial Recycling (MCR) Law, and set a statewide goal of 75% of all solid waste be diverted from landfills through source reduction, recycling, or composting by year 2020, and requires that all businesses that generate four (4) cubic yards or more of commercial solid waste per week to reuse or recycle, in an effort to increase diversion of waste from landfills and thereby reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
On January 31, 2012 (Item No. 11, File No. 12-0139), the Board approved the County’s Solid Waste Management Plan, which included a countywide goal of 75% diversion from landfills, and authorized the County’s Environmental Management Department (Environmental Management) to implement the strategies identified therein.
On September 28, 2014, the Governor of California signed Assembly Bill 1826, known as Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling (MORe), establishing implementation phases over time for the program including, but not limited to the following: required businesses recycle their organic waste based on the amount and type of waste the business generates on a weekly basis; and after January 1, 2016, directed that local jurisdictions across the State implement organic waste recycling programs to divert organic waste generated by businesses, including multifamily residential dwellings that consist of five (5) or more units; and as updated on January 2, 2017, required businesses that generate four (4) cubic yards or more of organic waste per week to arrange for organic waste recycling services; and with full implementation or organic waste recycling services by January 1, 2019 for businesses that generate four (4) cubic yards or more of commercial solid waste.
As part of its responsibilities, including monitoring and evaluating the planning and effectiveness of solid waste program implementations, EDSWAC formed a subcommittee to develop a recycling information presentation. At the request of the Sierra Renaissance Society, EDSWAC presented the recycling presentation in order to increase public education efforts and explain the evolving changes and developments in recycling practices. At its September 9, 2019 meeting, EDSWAC, upon the recommendation of Environmental Management, approved the established subcommittee to provide the recycling presentation to the Board.
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
See Discussion/Background above.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost associated with this item. The minimal costs associated with this presentation for staff time are funded through the County Service Area No. 10 - Solid Waste funds.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Greg Stanton, REHS, Director
Environmental Management Department