Incentive Programs for Local Government Recycling and Waste Reduction

Local Government Challenges and Opportunities

Local governments define the economics of solid waste in their areas. Through their policies, laws, regulations, rate structures, fees, and taxes, local governments can have a tremendous impact on what is "economic" to do in their community.

AB 939 offers local governments an opportunity to change all facets of the old solid waste management system. This law will transform the old system that produced wasteful throwaway products and focused on the quickest and easiest way of burying garbage in a landfill. AB 939 challenges local governments to rethink the incentives in place for this one-way disposal orientation and redesign the entire system to reward and encourage waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and composting.

One of the dilemmas for local governments is where to start. There are many opportunities to make changes, such as:

• Rate reviews
• Permit requests
• Contract change requests
• New contracts or requests for proposal (RFP)

When a hauler requests something of the community, it is reasonable to ask for something in return that will help the community. The ideal time to make significant changes is when communities renegotiate contracts with their haulers or develop an RFP for competitive proposals.

AB 939 intended local governments to tailor their programs, policies, and incentives to make this type of incremental progress. As more and more communities experiment with the types of incentives noted above, there will be a clearer understanding of what will work best for different situations. For now, communities should pick and choose those incentives of greatest interest, network with other municipalities, then adapt the ideas to their own local needs for continued improvement of these concepts and tools.

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Last updated: October 26, 2007