Local Government Central—Rural Issues

Successful Rural Diversion Programs

Each rural jurisdiction is unique, but successful diversion programs need not be so. One of the best ways to build a successful diversion program is to borrow a good idea from another jurisdiction and fine tune it to capitalize on your jurisdiction's individual characteristics and waste stream components.

Zero Waste Plans:

Trash Cutters Awards Program: Recognizes local governments for innovative and successful waste reduction programs. One of the Trash Cutters categories is "Rural Waste Reduction." The two winners in this category so far are:

• San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority
• City of Eureka

Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP): Now in its 10th year, WRAP annually recognizes California businesses for outstanding efforts to reduce waste. Many of the winning businesses come from rural areas; a few examples include:

• Bear Valley Cross Country (Alpine County, 1998)
• Mad River Brewing Company (Humboldt, 1995–2001)
• Lake Appliance Repair (Lake, 1995–1997)
• Fetzer Vineyards (Mendocino, 1993–2001)
• Jamestown Veterinary Hospital (Tuolomne, 1995–2001)

This only begins to show the wide variety of businesses with diversion potential. Search the WRAP database for other ideas.

Case Studies:  The Board's Innovations Videoconference in March, 2000 produced 24 case studies highlighting successful programs and concepts.  Rural Tehama County was among the jurisdictions showcased.

The Rural Cookbook was the CIWMB's original tool to help jurisdictions innovate programs to divert more waste.  It is still available in printed form through your OLA representative.  Most of these recipes are familiar to rural leaders. We have gleaned the "tastiest ideas" from the cookbook and condensed them into a Web page.

Diversion programs are only part of the equation. A total solution for rural jurisdictions also includes developing and sustaining viable markets for recycled materials.

Last updated: January 09, 2008