2002 Annual Report: Executive Summary

In the dozen years since California’s Integrated Waste Management Act took effect in 1990, the statewide average diversion rate has grown from a meager 10 percent to a surprising 48 percent in 2002. In virtually every jurisdiction across California-in homes, private and public offices, industrial centers and construction sites, and grade school and university hallways-people heed a now familiar mantra: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Buy Recycled.

The California Integrated Waste Management Board continues to work closely with local jurisdictions, the business community, and State agencies to maximize diversion and to protect public health and the environment through the safe and proper disposal of nonhazardous solid wastes. This Web-based annual report highlights the Board’s accomplishments during calendar year 2002, and it provides readers access to more recent online information on current topics.

Strategic Planning
In 2002, the Board focused its resources on implementing the strategic plan adopted in 2001. This plan represents a significant shift away from the simple diversion goals of the Integrated Waste Management Act to a broader, systematic approach to managing all materials used and created in manufacturing processes. The plan identifies key areas such as sustainability, zero waste, product stewardship, and manufacturer responsibility as Board priorities over the next three to five years. Moreover, the plan includes a strong commitment to the tenets of environmental justice. 

Waste Diversion
Using the Board’s most recent estimates, California diverted 48 percent of its waste from landfills in 2002. While still shy of the 50 percent goal set for individual jurisdictions, the statewide diversion rate is still increasing, a tribute to the Board’s strategic targeting of organics and construction and demolition materials in the waste stream, as well as the commitment of local governments, businesses, and residents to recycling and waste reduction.

Local Agency Progress Towards 50 Percent Diversion
More than 60 percent of California jurisdictions met the requirements of the Integrated Waste Management Act in 2000, and many more are progressing to the 50 percent diversion level and beyond. Many others are continuing their good faith efforts to reach the goal and, by the end of 2002, the Board had approved 106 applications for time extensions-as allowed by Public Resources Code 41820-to meet the diversion requirement and/or alternative diversion requirements. Board staff designed the online Electronic 1066 Report to provide a fast and convenient way for jurisdictions to meet this obligation.

Each city and county must report to the Board its waste diversion activities during the previous calendar year. These reports include information about waste diversion programs implemented and discontinued, as well as the jurisdiction’s annual diversion rate. After debuting the new Electronic Annual Reporting system in 2001, the system is now widely used by local jurisdictions and almost 95 percent of all 445 jurisdictions in the state have filed their reports electronically.

School District Diversion
The Board has prioritized efforts to implement the School Diversion and Environmental Education Law (DEEL), Chapter 926, Statutes of 2001 (SB 373, Torlakson). In 2002, the Board and other State offices provided technical and informational assistance to school districts and local jurisdictions to improve school district waste reduction programs. The Board targeted school-related professional associations and organizations in 2002 to highlight the benefits and value of implementing districtwide waste reduction programs. Board staff enhanced published school waste reduction Web resources in 2002, adding the year 2000 school district waste reduction survey results and analysis and new school waste reduction models to its web site.

State Agency Diversion
Public Resources Code section 42921 required State agencies to achieve 25 percent waste diversion by January 1, 2002, and to strive for 50 percent waste diversion on and after January 1, 2004. Reports of waste diversion-539,336 tons out of 843,839 tons of waste generated in State government offices-indicate a statewide average of 64 percent in calendar 2001.

To recognize State agencies that meet the diversion goals, the Board developed the State Agency Recycling Recognition (STARR) awards program. In April 2002, the Board presented five different STARR awards to three separate agencies.

Board staff conducted workshops to train State agencies and facilities on annual reporting requirements and records maintenance, as well as training videos on State diversion programs.

State Agency Buy Recycled Campaign
The State Agency Buy Recycled Campaign (SABRC) is a joint effort between the Board and the Department of General Services (DGS) requiring State agencies and the Legislature to purchase recycled-content products. Agencies report their recycled-content purchases to the Board annually. Reports submitted in 2002 chart a steady improvement in State government’s recycled-content procurement practices.

The Board continued efforts in 2002 to improve reporting and increase recycled-content product (RCP) procurement among State agencies. The Board and DGS increased the number of RCPs available on statewide procurement contracts, usage of the recycled-content certification form, and SABRC presence in DGS promotional activities and publications.

Environmental Education
The School DEEL codified the new Office of Integrated Environmental Education created by the Board in early 2001. This law requires the Board to work closely with the state’s educational community in developing and implementing environmental education and school waste reduction and diversion programs. The Board approved its School DEEL Implementation Plan in September 2002. The plan incorporated programmatic aspects of the legislation, such as the Environmental Ambassador Pilot Program, the Unified Education Strategy, and accompanying grants.

Electronics Waste
The fastest growing component of the municipal waste stream, discarded electronic products-“e-wastes”-present unique challenges and opportunities for government and industry. An estimated half-billion computers in the U.S. will become obsolete and require disposal options within the next five years.

In 2002, the Board continued its leadership efforts at the State and national level to facilitate development of workable strategies for e-waste management. The Board participated in the National Electronic Product Stewardship Initiative (NEPSI), developing procurement, use, and end-of-life management guidelines for State agencies on electronic equipment consumption. The Board also sought to expand Web-based resources to assist local agencies in their e-waste management efforts. More information available on the CIWMB Electronic Product Web site.

In addition, the Board helped electronic equipment recycling businesses expand or build new facilities in California through its Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ) program and RMDZ loans. The Board helped local agencies collect e-waste through household hazardous waste grants.

Recycling Business Loans
During 2002 the Board funded RMDZ loans totaling $6.3 million to seven recycling businesses projected to divert an additional 280,000 tons of waste from California landfills annually and create 117 jobs. In addition, the Board approved four tire fund loans totaling $2.7 million to tire recycling businesses to divert an additional 8,700 tons of tires from California landfills annually and create 20 jobs.

Food Scrap Management
Many jurisdictions, institutions, and commercial businesses are planning and implementing food diversion programs, while others are facing barriers to implementation. In October 2002 the Board held a statewide Food Residuals Diversion Summit in Sacramento to identify and address these barriers. Specific program recommendations arising from the summit will be presented to the Board in early 2003.

Best Management Practices for Compostable Materials
Composting is a key strategy for recovering organics from the waste stream. In 2002 the Board, in cooperation with other State agencies, industry, and local enforcement agencies, developed best management practices (BMP) and odor mitigation measures for compost operations. The Board is conducting emissions tests to identify BMPs that result in affordable control strategies for compost facilities to meet air quality standards. In November 2002, the Board adopted new compostable materials regulations, including odor impact minimization planning requirements.

Illegal and Abandoned Site Cleanup
In 2002 the Board allocated $3.7 million in funding to clean up illegal and abandoned sites from Siskiyou to San Diego. Improvements to the Farm and Ranch Cleanup Grant program were accomplished through Chapter 628, Statutes of 2002 (SB 1328, Chesbro), which increased the available maximum grant awards from $10,000 to $50,000 per site and extended eligibility to Native American Tribes and Resource Conservation Districts. These changes will enhance the board’s ability to help agricultural property owners rid themselves of chronic illegal dumping problems.

Enforcement Assistance Grants
In 2002, the Board provided $1.4 million in grants to assist local enforcement agencies (LEA). This annual allocation helps LEAs procure training, tools, and resources to fulfill their certified enforcement responsibilities to the Board.

More than 200 participants attended the 6th Annual LEA/CIWMB Partnership Conference in August 2002. Discussion focused on a variety of topics including conversion technologies, biological terrorism, post-closure land development, and Partnership 2000. The Board also provided LEA training regarding load checking, understanding Cal/OSHA regulations, waste classification, landfill gas screening, inspector field training, and closed, illegal, and abandoned sites.

LEA Outreach and Issue Research
Outreach efforts conducted by the Board to LEAs in 2002 are expected to continue in 2003. Board staff is working with sister Cal/EPA agencies, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and university contacts on various issues. These include examining potential bioaerosols in composting, sudden oak death, and avian and animal product composting. The Board will conduct a new round of training on revised compostable materials handling, operations and facilities regulatory requirements, and operations and odor management for local enforcement agencies and compost operators in the winter and spring of 2003.

Outreach tasks included continued partnership efforts through six meetings of the solid waste LEA Round Tables to promote more efficient communication and cooperative relationships with more than 50 LEAs across the state.

Financial Assurance
In 2002 the Board updated financial assurance mechanisms for 181 solid waste landfills and major waste tire facilities based on the existing inflation factor. Staff issued four notices of violations and one notice and order against solid waste landfills. In 2002 the Office of Administrative Law approved and filed changes to the financial assurances regulations, imposing strict conditions on captive insurance used as a financial mechanism for landfill closure and postclosure maintenance in California. Staff approved the release of much-needed funding to operators of solid waste landfills for important closure activities in 2002.

Used Oil/Household Hazardous Waste Grants
In 2002 the Board awarded a total of $24.3 million to local agencies for programs to help manage household hazardous wastes, with priority for expanding existing programs or initiating new programs for the collection of electronic waste, universal waste, or paint; and for efforts to increase used oil recycling and eliminate improper disposal.

Waste Tires Five-Year Plan
The primary focus of the waste tire program in 2002 was on implementing provisions of the five-year plan that addressed Board enforcement efforts at waste tire facilities and on waste tire haulers, managing various contracts for research and for remediation of waste tire sites, and awarding and administering grants under its seven grant programs. In May 2003 the Board is expected to approve a second edition of the five-year plan, as required by PRC 428855.5.

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