2000 Annual Report: Local Assistance

Local Assistance Topics
Introduction Local Planning Documents Infrastructure Regional Agencies Establishing Base Levels Program Implementation Disposal Reporting System Waste Characterization Jurisdiction Compliance Biennial Reviews Tools and Targeted Assistance New Initiatives

Biennial Reviews

Each year every city, county, or regional agency submits an annual report to the IWMB that is used as an ongoing evaluation of its progress toward implementing diversion programs and meeting the diversion mandates. Plan implementation is verified through the “biennial review”--the IWMB’s biennial evaluation of implementation of diversion programs to achieve 50 percent.

The IWMB may determine that a city, county, or regional agency has either implemented its plan and achieved the diversion requirements; made a good faith effort to implement its plan but not achieved the diversion requirements; or failed to implement its plan and failed to achieve the diversion requirements. The IWMB has completed almost all of the biennial reviews for 1995 and 1996. The IWMB is expected to commence the biennial review for 1999–2000 in August 2001.

The IWMB has determined through its 1995–96 biennial review process that about 86 percent of California cities, counties and regional agencies achieved 25 percent diversion, or made a good faith effort in implementing their diversion programs. About 14 percent of cities and counties have been placed on compliance orders to resolve measurement issues and/or implement diversion programs. A table summarizing 1995–96 biennial reviews (below) provides the number of local governments in each group, and counts each regional agency as a single local government.

1995-1996 IWMB Biennial Reviews
Waste Management Plan Implementation	Approval	Compliance Order Issued	Board Review Not Yet Completed
	Number of cities, counties, and regional agencies
Source Reduction and Recycling Element (SRRE)	397	64	1
Household Hazardous Waste Element (HHWE)	447	2	12

The biennial review for 1997–98 was not for a compliance year (1995 and 2000). The IWMB reviewed each city’s, county’s, and regional agency’s progress but did not approve or issue compliance orders for the 1997–98 biennial reviews. About 90 percent of cities,’ counties,’ and regional agencies’ 1997–98 biennial reviews were accepted by the IWMB. About 10 percent of the 1997–98 biennial reviews are still in progress. A table summarizing 1997–98 biennial reviews (below) provides the number of local governments in each group, and counts each regional agency as a single local government.

1997-1998 IWMB Biennial Reviews
Waste Management Plan Implementation	Accepted	Compliance Order Issued	Board Review Not Yet Completed
	Number of cities, counties, and regional agencies
Source Reduction and Recycling Element (SRRE)	441	Not Applicable	47
Household Hazardous Waste Element (HHWE)	441	Not Applicable	47

The table below identifies the number of jurisdictions by diversion rate category.

1995-1998 Number of Jurisdictions by Diversion Rate Category*
Category	1995	1996	1997	1998
	Number of cities, counties, and regional agencies
0-24% Diversion	60	42	28	35
25-49% Diversion	252	257	226	240
50% or Higher Diversion	64	77	93	104

*This table does not include all jurisdictions. It does not include jurisdictions currently on compliance orders or jurisdictions that resolved measurement issues in 1999 or 2000.

Tools and Targeted Assistance

IWMB staff also focuses on development of tools and information for decision makers. Responsibility for solid waste management activities is shared between the State and local governments. IWMB assistance helps local governments reduce costs of implementing plans and programs. To accomplish this, the IWMB has developed many assistance strategies. These resources help jurisdictions save from $3,000 to $30,000 in consulting fees by using the IWMB’s model documents. To date, the IWMB has developed more than 100 separate tools and resources to assist those working to increase diversion around the state. Among the tools are guidelines, standards, models, research reports, media events, seminars, public education curricula, grants, loans, and direct technical assistance.

In 1996, the IWMB determined that the statewide diversion rate for 1995 was 28 percent. In order to assist local governments to achieve 50 percent in 2000, the IWMB conducted a series of workshops in 1997 for local jurisdictions to discuss barriers and share potential solutions to achieve 50 percent diversion. As a result of the workshops and strategic planning efforts, the IWMB increased efforts to assist jurisdictions in meeting the 50 percent mandate. 

Specifically, the IWMB created teams comprised of staff with diverse expertise to provide hands-on support to the jurisdictions that were the farthest behind in meeting their diversion requirements. Through this effort, the teams partnered with local jurisdictions to collaboratively identify specific programs to target for further expansion or implementation. These programs are tailored to target the local waste stream and conditions. Using this approach, the IWMB has helped 63 cities, 9 counties, and 4 regional agencies get on track to meet their AB 939 diversion mandates. The IWMB will be continuing to target jurisdictions that need assistance in meeting their diversion mandates.

Outreach Efforts
To assist local jurisdictions in achieving the 50 percent diversion mandate, the IWMB is employing new strategies to target components of the waste stream that provide the greatest opportunity for diversion in the shortest time frame. Institutional waste management policies and practices provide that opportunity. This includes schools; hospitals; prisons; hotels; large office complexes; State, local, and federal government agencies; and other institutions. These institutions generate a tremendous amount of materials that can be reduced, reused, and recycled, and they engage in procurement and waste management practices that are prime opportunities for significantly reducing jurisdictions’ waste streams.

Training Workshops
The IWMB staff has conducted numerous regional training workshops for local jurisdictions, industry, and institutions. Workshops are focused on highlighting regional model programs, as well as providing training tools and strategies for targeting sectors of the waste stream. Workshops conducted include: “Targeting Construction and Demolition Waste,” “Implementing Food Scraps Diversion Programs,” and “Conducting Nonresidential Sector Waste Assessments and Outreach.”

Trash Cutters Awards Program
The IWMB established the Trash Cutters awards program to recognize the wide range of successful waste reduction and recycling programs that have been implemented by jurisdictions since 1990. In selecting the winners, the IWMB sought to recognize programs that, among other factors, were cost-effective in terms of the cost for the amount of waste recycled. Other factors considered were the number of residents and businesses participating, innovations in ideas or technologies, and usefulness to other jurisdictions evaluating whether similar programs would work for them.

There are several award categories, some of which change from year to year. Case studies of the winning programs are available, listed by category, on the IWMB’s TrashCutters website. The award categories and winners chosen during 2000 included:

• Santa Cruz County--Creative Partnerships, Schools, and Public Information.

• Monterey Regional Waste Management District--Regional Waste Reduction.

• Lake County--Recycling.

• Los Angeles County--Innovation.

• City of Berkeley--Organics Management.

• City of Sunnyvale--Waste Prevention.

• City of Watsonville--Construction and Demolition Debris Management.

• City of Pittsburg--Procurement.

• City of El Monte--Urban Waste Reduction.

Innovations Videoconference
In March 2000, the IWMB presented a videoconference to showcase innovative and successful local and regional waste reduction programs. The videoconference was viewed live throughout the state. The videoconference highlights local government successes and model programs in reuse, recycling, and composting. The programs highlighted in the conference apply to all cities, counties, and regional agencies in California, as well as other states, provinces, or countries.

The programs featured in the videoconference were reviewed and analyzed, and 24 case studies were prepared to highlight successful model programs in reuse, recycling, composting, and other areas of waste management. These programs can be examples for other cities, counties, and regional agencies in California, as well as other states, provinces, or countries. To view the videoconference or review those case studies that have been posted to the Web to date, visit the IWMB’s Innovations Web site. Topic areas include:

• Organics reuse, recycling, and composting.

• Construction and demolition debris recycling and “deconstruction.”

• Reuse programs.

• Residential and commercial recycling.

• Market development.

Food Scrap Diversion
The IWMB has contracted with local jurisdictions and school districts to implement food scrap diversion at high-volume generation sites. In keeping with the IWMB’s general commitment to "partnership" approaches, this project is enabling the IWMB to develop new strategic alliances with local jurisdictions and/or school districts that are focusing on food scrap diversion.

For each project, a local jurisdiction or school district serves as a contractor and is responsible for organizing, planning, and coordinating project implementation. The local jurisdiction or school district is required to have the ability to: 

• Coordinate with local waste management and/or recycling companies regarding collection and management of food scraps.

• Prepare technical information and plans relevant to collection and management of food scraps.

• Provide facilities, sites, and staffing as necessary for local projects. 

The projects will be shared with other school districts and jurisdictions. The IWMB has also developed case studies and fact sheets to assist jurisdictions with promoting food scrap diversion. For more information, visit the IWMB's Food Scrap Web site.

Rural Jurisdiction Assistance
The Regional Council of Rural Counties (RCRC) is a nonpartisan association of rural counties in California. RCRC was formed to coordinate and enhance the influence of rural county governments at the Legislature and State government. RCRC pursues rural interests in areas such as urbanization of counties, use of natural resources, and the development of housing and technology in rural California. RCRC developed an Environmental Services Joint Powers Authority (ESJPA), made up of 21 rural counties in northern and central California, to deal with rural county solid waste issues.

The IWMB staff meets regularly with the ESJPA to discuss issues affecting ESJPA and its member counties. Issues include AB 939 compliance; source reduction, recycling and composting programs; and market development. Currently, the IWMB is under contract with the Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority (a regional agency of all Del Norte County jurisdictions) funding a study of rural recycling marketing issues and the development of a rural marketing plan that should greatly benefit the member counties of the ESJPA.

Feedback on Local Government Central Web Tools
In 2000, the IWMB redesigned portions of its Web site for local programs, adding new tools and creating a user-friendly site with improved access to these resources. Local Government Central is a gateway to online assistance for analyzing the waste stream, planning and implementing diversion programs, and tracking and reporting disposal and diversion rates.

The best way to improve tools is to ask the users for their feedback. In late 2000, the IWMB added an online survey to its Web site to obtain feedback on Local Government Central tools. All but a few survey results have been positive about the tools provided. There have been several suggestions for improving ease of use and additional tools. The survey will continue to be used to enhance the Local Government Central Web site.

Each jurisdiction in a county or region is responsible for preparing a “source reduction and recycling element,” which identifies the diversion activities that the jurisdiction will implement, and a “household hazardous waste element,” which identifies programs to promote the safe handling, collection, and disposal of household hazardous waste. To assist jurisdictions in developing or revising their plans, the Board will be developing a model source reduction and recycling element and household hazardous waste element for jurisdictions to use. This model plan will be completed in summer 2001. Board staff will also provide training workshops for jurisdictions to assist them in using the model plan.

New Initiatives

Each city, county, or regional agency is required to submit an annual report to the Board. The annual report is produced by performing two basic steps: calculating the annual diversion rate, and describing progress implementing the diversion programs selected in the jurisdiction's planning documents. Board-developed tools, including the online diversion rate calculator and the model annual report, greatly simplify the reporting process by performing the complex calculations and by providing downloadable forms (with instructions) used by jurisdictions to prepare their annual reports.

To make the annual reporting process faster and easier for jurisdictions, the Board is developing the Electronic Annual Reporting system that will be available for jurisdictions to use for submitting their 2000 annual reports. The electronic filing system will build on the online diversion rate calculator to create a totally interactive and integrated reporting experience for the jurisdictions, while helping the Board to access jurisdiction data more effectively and readily. Staff will be conducting regional workshops for jurisdictions to train them in using the new and improved system. For more information on annual reporting requirements, visit the IWMB's Local Government Central Web site.

The Board is required to prepare a report to the Legislature on improvements to the disposal reporting system, using a working group of stakeholders [Public Resources Code (PRC) Section 41821.5 (e) and (f)]. The report to the Legislature is due on January 1, 2002. California’s diversion rate measurement method changed from measuring both disposal and diversion in 1990 (generation-based measurement), to the current method of measuring disposal and estimating diversion (disposal-based measurement).

The Board has heard about many issues regarding the diversion rate measurement system. Many of these issues have been raised during the Board’s biennial review on the progress each city, county and regional agency has made in implementing diversion programs to achieve the 50 percent diversion requirement. There may be alternatives to the current system that are more accurate. The Board will have an opportunity to resolve some of the measurement issues as it considers recommendations by the working groups in late 2001. All interested parties will be able to participate in discussion groups on the Local Government Central Web site.