Waste Reduction in Tehama County

A Model for Local Government Recycling and Waste Reduction

Summary and Table of Contents

Communities in rural areas face special challenges in their efforts to meet the requirements of AB 939. The dispersed nature of the population can make efficient collection of trash, recyclables, and yard debris difficult. Rural communities are often far from processors and markets for recyclables and yard debris, have a limited budget for provision of waste services, and must rely on a small staff to keep abreast of regulatory requirements and administer complex programs. Furthermore, rural communities often must address open burning and illegal dumping. Despite these handicaps, in 1999 Tehama County achieved a 43 percent reduction of total waste generation.

Table of Contents

• Overview
• Table: 1998 Tehama County landfill disposal
• Program Characteristics
• Local Government Rules and Policies
• Residential Trash Services
• Residential Waste Reduction
      Waste Prevention, Reuse, and Source Reduction Programs
      Recyclables Collection
      Yard Debris Collection
      Drop-off Recycling and Composting Opportunities
      Processing and Marketing of Recyclables
      Yard Debris Processing
• Commercial Waste Reduction Programs
      Waste Prevention, Reuse, and Source Reduction Programs
      Organics Programs
      Recycling
• Construction and Demolition Debris Recovery Programs
• Other Programs
• Education and Publicity
• Costs, Economics and Benefits
• Expanding Demand
• Challenges and Opportunities in Implementation
• Funding Mechanisms
• Tips for Replication
• Contacts
• Credits/Disclaimer

*Source: Tehama County Sanitary Landfill Agency, 1999.
Notes: Data represents total waste generation (residential, commercial, and construction and demolition debris) as reported in the Tehama County Sanitary Landfill Agency's New Base Year Generation Study (1998) submitted to and approved by the CIWMB. Separate figures for residential waste, commercial waste, and construction and demolition debris are not available.
¹ Paper use reduction in City of Corning offices, wood waste reused by local industries, grasscycling of lawns at schools and parks, and reusable goods surplused by a local school and sold through thrift stores and garage sales.

Next>Overview | Download this publication.

Innovations Home | Library Home

Last updated: November 01, 2007