California Integrated Waste Management Board

Climate Change and Solid Waste Management

Recycling and Waste Management Subgroup: Climate Action Team

As a member of the Climate Action Team (CAT), the CIWMB chairs the Recycling and Waste Management Subgroup (see member list below). CIWMB and the subgroup are working to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by implementing the following three strategies:

Achieve 50 Percent Statewide Recycling Goal (Completed)

CIWMB was the first State entity to achieve one of its GHG emission reduction strategies. The first strategy was to achieve the State's 50 percent waste diversion mandate as established by the Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, (AB 939, Sher, Chapter 1095, Statutes of 1989). This strategy reduces GHG emissions associated with the manufacture of new products and the methane emissions resulting from disposal of waste in landfills. At the time the strategy was developed, the State had achieved a diversion rate of 48 percent statewide.

This strategy was accomplished through a collaborative effort involving local governments, industry, California residents, and the CIWMB. Achieving the 50 percent statewide recycling goal resulted in a reduction of three million metric tons of carbon dioxide (MMTCO2e) which will continue to accrue each year California maintains a 50 percent diversion rate. Currently, California is diverting 54 percent statewide of the waste that would have previously gone to landfills.

Landfill Methane Capture

Methane production varies greatly from landfill to landfill, depending on site-specific characteristics such as the quantity of waste in place; the type of waste buried; moisture content; landfill design and operating practices; and local climate. This methane could be released to the atmosphere as a potent greenhouse gas unless captured and controlled. Methane captured from a landfill can be treated by burning it in a combustion device, transporting it directly to an end user, generating electricity, or transforming it to a useful fuel such as compressed or liquefied natural gas. However, the technical applicability of any of the more sophisticated options is dependent on the amount of landfill gas a facility can generate.

Currently, landfill gas control systems that destroy methane are operating for the vast majority of waste in California landfills. Approximately 94 percent of the total statewide estimated 1.2 billion tons of waste in place is contained in landfills with full control systems. All landfills that contain greater than 5 million tons have controls. There are currently 32 landfills that contain a total of 0.5 to 3.8 million tons and are generating landfill gas that have partial, perimeter, or no such control systems.

The Landfill Methane Capture Strategy includes the following components:

  • Install new methane control systems at landfills currently without control systems.
  • Maximize landfill methane capture efficiencies by optimizing landfill design, operation, and closure/postclosure practices.
  • Increase recovery of landfill gas for use as a biomass renewable energy source to replace energy from nonrenewable fossil fuel sources.

Zero Waste--Increased Recycling

Currently, the state is mandated to divert a minimum of 50 percent of its waste from going to landfills. Diverting more organics/biomass and other waste from landfill disposal and turning them into marketable products will reduce GHG emissions associated with the manufacture of new products and the methane emissions from waste in landfills. This will help us continue toward a Zero Waste California.

  • Commercial Recycling. Enhancing commercial sector recycling.
  • Organics. Reducing the amount of organic waste that goes to landfills and developing management options based on a life cycle assessment (LCA).
  • Fuel and Energy Production. Creating energy from organic material.
  • Extended Producer Responsibility. Shifting the primary responsibility for the discard of products and materials from the general public and local government to producers.
Subgroup Contacts
Name Agency Program E-Mail Phone
Sharon Anderson ARB Office of Climate Change shanders@arb.ca.gov (916) 324-0934
Richard Boyd ARB Stationary Source Division rboyd@arb.ca.gov (916) 322-8285
Renaldo Crooks ARB Stationary Source Division rcrooks@arb.ca.gov (916) 327-5618
Johnnie Raymond ARB Office of Climate Change jraymond@arb.ca.gov (916) 445-8279
Andrew Altevogt Cal/EPA Office of the Secretary aaltevogt@calepa.ca.gov (916) 322-2569
Val Tiangco CEC Energy Research & Development Division Vtiangco@energy.sate.ca.us (916) 654-4664
Brenda Smyth CIWMB Sustainability Program bsmyth@ciwmb.ca.gov (916) 341-6605
Clark Williams CIWMB Sustainability Program cwilliams@ciwmb.ca.gov (916) 341-6488
Fernando Berton CIWMB Sustainability Program fberton@ciwmb.ca.gov (916) 341-6607
Scott Walker CIWMB Waste Compliance & Mitigation Program swalker@ciwmb.ca.gov (916) 341-6319
Stephanie Young CIWMB Waste Compliance & Mitigation Program syoung@ciwmb.ca.gov (916) 341-6357
Amy Baker CPUC Energy Division AB1@cpuc.ca.gov (415) 703-1691
Anne Gillette CPUC Energy Division aeg@cpuc.ca.gov (415) 703-5219
Stephen Bantillo DOC Division of Recycling Stephen.Bantillo@conservation.ca.gov (916) 323-3836
Ember Christensen SWRCB Division of Water Quality echristensen@waterboards.ca.gov (916) 341-5489

Legend:

ARB: Air Resources Board
Cal/EPA: California Environmental Protection Agency
CEC: California Energy Commission
CIWMB: California Integrated Waste Management Board
CPUC: California Public Utilities Commission
DOC: Department of Conservation
SWRCB: State Water Resources Control Board

Last updated: June 25, 2008
Climate Change: http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Climate Change/
Contact: climatechange@ciwmb.ca.gov