infoCycling, Summer/Fall 2002

In this issue:

• infoCycling's audience

• Annual reports

• EAR

• Survey week

• Adjustment method

• STARR awards

• Trash Cutter awards

• Editor's note

• Keep in touch

infoCycling’s audience now includes State agencies and large State facilities!

infoCycling’s focus is expanding to include local governments and State agencies and large State facilities (State agencies). Successful partnerships between local governments and State agencies can achieve greater diversion at lower costs.

infoCycling will continue to provide time- and cost-reducing tools and information to assist local governments and State agencies in evaluating their current diversion performance and reaching diversion goals.

The benefits to local government and State agencies are numerous and may include:

• Initiating partnerships between local government and State agency representatives.
• Learning about new and innovative diversion programs from one another.
• Learning what programs work and what programs don’t.
• Learning about upcoming workshops and events held by local government and State agencies.
• Locating vendors for recyclables through local government representatives.

There are many examples of local government and State agencies partnering cooperatively. For example, the San Luis Obispo County recycling coordinator is assisting the Atascadero State Hospital in implementing a food waste composting program. Another example consists of local government providing recycling bins to their State agencies and large State facilities.

Please contact Tracy Webb with suggestions on articles you would like to see included in infoCycling and announcements of events in your jurisdiction, or at your State agency or large State facility. Tracy can be reached at (916) 341-6240 or at twebb@ciwmb.ca.gov.

State agencies and large State facilities successfully submit annual reports!

California State agencies and large State facilities successfully submitted annual integrated waste management reports for 2001 (as required by Public Resources Code (PRC) section 42920). State agencies and large State facilities submitted their annual reports electronically, thus reducing paper and postage.

The annual reports indicate that State agencies and large State facilities actively recycle materials that would otherwise go to California landfills.

State agencies recycle items such as paper, cardboard, and laser toner cartridges. Large State facilities (State prisons, Caltrans, State parks, fairs, colleges, and universities) also recycle items such as scrap metal, glass, plastic, textiles, wood waste, pallets, and manure/hay. Many of these large State facilities also grasscycle. Several facilities reported developing composting programs and in some cases pilot food waste composting projects.

Site visits and survey assessments to be conducted

State Organization and Facility Assistance (SOFA) section staff has scheduled site visits with some of the State agencies and large State facilities to assess the recycling programs and diversion tonnages that were reported.

In addition, the Board contracted with the State Controllers Office (SCO) to assess the recycling and disposal records of selected State agencies and large State facilities. SCO auditors check the accuracy of the disposal and diversion calculations, review accounting records for revenue generated from the sale of recyclables and how that revenue is spent, and perform a site review at the agency or facility to assess the recycling projects noted in the annual report.

Keep in touch

Keep in touch with your SOFA staff representative and let him/her know if there have been any changes in the information you provided in the Facility Information portion of your State Organization and Agency Recycling Database (SOARD) annual report. In order for State agencies and large State facilities to receive updates from the SOFA section of future workshops, recycling changes, and grants availability, it is important to keep this information current.

State agencies and large State facilities should contact their SOFA staff representative with any questions regarding an annual report, the recycling of materials, or assistance in finding a vendor for materials. In addition, the SOFA staff encourages State agencies and large State facilities to contact their local government recycling coordinator. These recycling coordinators should have a good understanding of the local markets for recyclables and may even have programs available for participation, either at no charge or at a reduced rate when compared to the cost of disposal.

The Board's Profiles Web site lists the local government recycling coordinator in your area. 

To view a State agency or large State facility plan or a submitted annual report, go to the Integrated Waste Management for State Agencies Web site. If problems occur when accessing this information, State agency and large State facility representatives should contact their SOFA staff representative for assistance. To find the name, phone number, and e-mail address of your assigned SOFA staff person, refer to the SOFA Staff Contacts Web page. 

CIWMB hearing about diversion progress with new “EAR”

California’s local government (cities, counties, and regional agencies) representatives put their trust in technology for the 2000 goal year and were rewarded with convenience.

More than 95 percent of the 445 jurisdictions legally required to file used the CIWMB’s new on-line electronic annual report (EAR) to submit their annual self-assessment of diversion performance.

The EAR is located on the Local Government Central Web site. 

Whether seasoned veteran or newcomer to the field, those who filed the annual report on behalf of California’s cities, counties, and regional agencies seemed to have few difficulties using the EAR.

Actual comments from annual report filers include:

• Thanks for generating the electronic report. I really liked it and found it more user-friendly than the hard copy style.

• The electronic report is much more streamlined than previous reporting years, making the entire process shorter and easier.
• This is my first year preparing the annual report; however, I found the electronic model easy and very convenient to complete.
• I love the electronic annual reporting! Thanks.

EAR modifications are underway

Board staff gave careful consideration to all EAR modifications suggested by users. One suggested (and adopted) change was to have the entire diversion rate calculation print out in the EAR summary.

In addition, Board staff found ways to make the planning annual report information system (PARIS)-program based reporting section—a key feature of the annual report—even easier to navigate, and ways to make the log-in easier, too. Another change will allow the 2001 EAR to accommodate biomass calculations.

The release date of the Board’s 2001 diversion rate calculator and the EAR depends on the availability of economic data. In particular, lack of complete taxable sales data from the Board of Equalization has delayed CIWMB reporting deadlines. The Board will continue to keep its local government customers posted about developments and deadlines regarding the diversion rate calculator and the EAR.

Local Assistance staff provide EAR training

The Board’s Local assistance staff provides training to local government representatives who are unsure about their reporting requirements or how to use the EAR. Local assistance staff also assists local government representatives in determining what type of information to include in their EAR to really highlight achievements in diverting solid waste. A listing of Local assistance staff county contacts can be found on the Local Assistance Contacts web page. 

Let us know how we’re doing and how we can better serve your jurisdiction through the Web. Send your wishes or comments about electronic reporting to Robert Horowitz at rhorowit@ciwmb.ca.gov.

The Board continues to conduct random, unannounced site visits to landfills and transfer stations

Landfills, transfer stations, and transformation facility operators are required [Title 14, California Code of Regulations (CCR) section 18805] to conduct origin surveys to identify the city or county that the load of waste is coming from once each quarter during survey week. The Board conducts random, unannounced site visits during survey week.

Year 2002—first and second quarter site visit results

During the March 8–14, 2002, survey week, Board staff visited four counties and conducted 21 site visits. Out of the 21 site visits, 17 operators asked the jurisdiction-of-origin question. Of the four that failed to ask the question, different Board staff revisited two of the facilities and both facilities asked the jurisdiction-of-origin question the second time around.

During the June 8–14, 2002, survey week, Board staff visited 18 counties and conducted 56 site visits. Out of the 56 site visits, 46 operators asked the jurisdiction-of-origin question.

At the time of the visit, Board staff notified the gate attendant and/or supervisor of the outcome of the visit orally and in writing. The landfills and transfer stations that did not comply received a letter asking them to submit in writing how they collect jurisdiction-of-origin information. The landfills or transfer stations that complied received a letter letting them know that their gate attendant did ask the jurisdiction-of-origin question.

If you have any questions or concerns, call Denise Hume at (916) 341-6242 or at dhume@ciwmb.ca.gov.

New Web documents examine adjustment method options

The Board developed the adjustment method through an intensive public process and extensive statistical review. The Board first employed the adjustment method during the 1995–1996 biennial review. Intended to compensate for the effects of economic and demographic growth, the adjustment method ensures that fast-growing cities and counties are not penalized with a low diversion rate simply because they grew.

From January 2001 through July 2001, Board staff conducted workshops with Board stakeholders to review the disposal reporting system, the adjustment method, and the whole system of measuring diversion. The meetings produced a report, “A Comprehensive Analysis of the Integrated Waste Management Act Diversion Rate Measurement System,” which was approved by the Board in November 2001 and by Governor Davis in April 2002. The Board subsequently approved an action plan for implementing the report’s recommendations.

The report’s appendices contained a number of research papers prepared by Board staff examining various aspects of the adjustment method. These papers can add depth to anyone’s understanding of the adjustment method. Because of the potential value to all local government stakeholders, Board staff placed some of these research papers on the Board’s Local Government Central Web site as Web documents. The papers along with a brief description are listed below.

Adjustment Method Questions and Answers 
(This paper contains commonly asked questions and answers about the adjustment method.

Do CIWMB Estimates of Fourth Quarter Taxable Sales Add Error to Adjustment Method Estimates of Waste Generation (and the Diversion Rate)? Typically, CIWMB staff is required to estimate report-year fourth-quarter taxable sales because of the timing of the release of taxable sales data by the Board of Equalization. This paper examines how 1999 taxable sales estimate errors impacted 1999 diversion rates and by how much.

What Economic Activity Does Taxable Sales Miss?  
Some economic activity is exempt from the California sales tax. This paper discusses the potential impact of exemptions and exclusions, changes in local boundaries, and the increase in   e-commerce.

Why is There a Diversion Rate Calculation Range (Maximum and Minimum)? The Board’s on-line diversion rate calculator can generate a range of diversion rates. This paper describes how the options for population and economic growth may result in a range of diversion rates.

The Board hopes that these new Web documents help local government better understand this complicated—but time and money saving—element of the diversion rate measurement system.

If you have any questions regarding these Web documents or the adjustment method, contact Nicholas Cavagnaro at (916) 341-6213 or ncavagna@ciwmb.ca.gov.

STARR awards!

At its April 16, 2002, meeting the California Integrated Waste Management Board (Board) recognized State agencies and large State facilities for outstanding waste reduction programs by presenting the winners with year 2001 State Agency Recycling Recognition (STARR) awards. The Board presents these awards to recognize their hard work, dedication, and commitment to preserving California’s resources. STARR award applicants were judged on the following criteria:

• Reduction in tons landfilled.
• Cost-effectiveness.
• Participation rate.
• Demonstration of a cooperative approach to reducing waste.
• Usefulness to other State agencies/facilities.
• Use of innovative ideas and/or technologies.
• Contribution to market development.
• Positive effect on other local environmental impacts.
• Wide range of diversion/disposal issues addressed.
• Diverse needs of employees or community addressed.

Year 2001 STARR award winners!

22nd District Agricultural Association—Waste Reduction at High Volume Sites Award, Education/Training Award, and *STARR of the Year Winner*

The Del Mar Fairgrounds is owned and operated by the 22nd District Agricultural Association (22nd DAA), an agency of the State of California. It consists of 400 acres and is host to more than three million people each year. Most notably, it is home to the San Diego County Fair, the largest and oldest annual event in the area and the 6th largest fair in the United States. The 22nd DAA also produces many other events and contracts more than 350 events produced by outside promoters.

The 22nd DAA’s recycling program started in 1985 and it has been a leader in the recycling industry for years. The facility now has a solid waste diversion rate of 91 percent or 20,524 tons, and is aiming for zero waste disposed to the landfill. The 22nd DAA received awards in three categories:

Waste Reduction at High Volume Sites

In 1990, the 22nd DAA Board of Directors approved the Resource Conservation Policy, which is the foundation of their recycling and waste reduction efforts. The 22nd DAA recycles or composts 17 different products, which saves the DAA and Del Mar Thoroughbred Club a combined $785,200 annually.

In addition, the recycling program won the “Best Waste Prevention Activity” award by the California Resource Recovery Association, and a first place award from the Western Fairs Association.

The 22nd DAA’s plan has been published in Biocycle and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s booklet on waste prevention titled Don’t Throw Away That Food– Strategies for Record-Setting Waste Prevention.

Education/Training

One of the most innovative fairground recycling programs is the unique “Casa de Worms,” a vermiculture program that uses thousands of worms, in three 4- by 10-foot soil beds located at the racetrack’s infield, to devour kitchen scraps.

In 2000, the “Casa de Worms” turned 8,250 pounds of food scraps into nutrient-rich fertilizer that was used on the fairground’s gardens. The 22nd DAA doesn’t stop at just setting the example, it also offers information and education to the entire community with its annual Enviro Fair.

The 22nd DAA wanted to provide an opportunity for local businesses to learn more about reducing, reusing, and saving through waste reduction. The Enviro Fair is now an annual event at the fairgrounds and is open to the entire community.

STARR of the Year

The 22nd DAA also received the prestigious STARR of the Year award. This award is presented to the applicant whose program(s) demonstrates waste reduction practices above and beyond those of the other applicants and serves as an exemplary model for other State agencies and large State facilities.

The commitment that the 22nd DAA has shown to constantly improve its recycling program and work with the community to reduce waste, makes it an outstanding model and a deserving recipient of the STARR of the Year award.

Department of Transportation (DOT)—Innovation Award

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is a large organization that designs, constructs, and maintains the State of California’s transportation system. One of DOT’s goals is to be a good steward of resources and the environment.

This goal is accomplished by using recycled materials/products in highway design, construction, maintenance, and other transportation-related functions.

The DOT is making a concerted effort to increase the diversion of material generated from within its jurisdictions (office buildings, operations, maintenance, and construction) away from landfill disposal by reusing, reducing, and recycling/salvaging the material.

The most outstanding example of DOT’s innovative recycling efforts was its use of the equivalent of 660,000 shredded tires as lightweight fill in highways. Commuters are the immediate beneficiaries of a new technology that uses scrap tire remnants in highway design, instead of traditional aggregate or topsoil fill material.

This unique tire recycling project saved taxpayers $250,000 in conventional lightweight fill material costs and represents one of the most innovative State projects to recycle waste materials in 2000.

Lanterman Developmental Center—Recycling Award

The Lanterman Developmental Center (LDC) is a large, long-term-care facility serving the developmentally disabled. In July 2000 Lanterman started a waste diversion/recycling program to reduce and divert its solid waste.

In keeping with the facility’s goal to serve and help provide employment opportunities for the developmentally disabled, Lanterman’s waste management program gives its residents a chance to assist in the successful diversion of almost 5,000 tons of materials from LDC’s annual waste stream.

Thanks to an aggressive waste management plan, Lanterman’s staff and more than 300 of its residents diverted 35 tons of cardboard, 13 tons of paper, more than a half ton of aluminum, 25 tons of other metals, and 1,475 tons of green waste in 2000. The facility, located in Pomona, is a leading waste cutter and recycled 82 percent of their waste in 2000.

If you have any questions, contact Debra Kustic at (916) 341-6221 or dkustic@ciwmb.ca.gov.

Trash Cutter award winners!

Winners receive statewide recognition!

The Board presented the nine winners with engraved glass plates (made of 100 percent recycled glass material). The Board also sent out press releases announcing the awards. In addition, the winning programs are featured in this issue of infoCycling and appear as case studies on the Board’s Trash Cutter Web site. 

Programs nominated for Trash Cutter awards were judged based on criteria such as:

• Measured reduction in disposed waste.
• Cost-effectiveness in terms of relative cost for quantity of waste diverted.
• Innovations by means of unique ideas or technologies.
• Usefulness of program information to other jurisdictions in evaluating whether such a program would work for them.
• Positive impact on other environmental issues in the community.

A list of selection criteria is available on the Trash Cutter Web site.

Year 2001 winners!

Brief program summaries of the Trash Cutter award winners are below.

Creative Partnerships Award

Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority—Reuse and Cleanup Days Program consists of a partnership between the Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority’s six public agencies, two private haulers, and a number of nonprofit organizations.

The cleanup days program is a curbside collection of reusable materials in conjunction with Bayshore Disposal’s annual solid waste bulky curbside cleanup. Bayshore works cooperatively on routing to enable Pacific Rim Recycling Inc. to collect reusable materials and tag unacceptable items on one day.

The next day Bayshore collects any materials left curbside. In 2001 the program diverted 347 tons of materials. Pacific Rim also separately collects yard clippings set out for collection. This has resulted in an additional 416 tons of yard clippings diverted. The nonprofit East Bay Depot sells some of the collected material as low-cost art supplies to teachers, artists, and others. Other salvaged items, such as clothing, computers, and household goods, are sent to the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Oregon.

In addition, several Contra Costa nonprofits regularly receive furniture, bicycles, and other needed materials. A telephone survey showed that material diverted and donated by the program would have been landfilled if curbside reuse collection did not exist.

Innovation Award

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works—Integrated Waste Tire Program incorporated a number of programs that reduce waste tires. The county removes waste tires from public rights-of-way, requires waste haulers in its garbage disposal districts to pick up used tires left at curbside, and held a tire amnesty collection event which helped collect and recycle more than 2,100 old tires.

In 2000, the county paved more than 125 lane-miles of roadways with rubberized asphalt concrete (RAC) made from approximately 250,000 waste tires. The project also used a rubberized-emulsion slurry on 282 lane miles, diverting an additional 22,000 tires from landfills. Moreover, the county utilized some 1,100 tires for a second waste tire demonstration project to showcase uses of old tires.

Los Angeles County also: operated the Rubberized Asphalt Concrete Technology Center, a cooperative effort with the Board to provide interested parties with technical assistance and information on the uses and application of RAC; established a two-year (June 1999 through June 2001) pilot enforcement program with the Board to implement activities to prevent illegal dumping of tires; administered an Adopt-A-Highway program; actively promoted an existing reward system for information leading to the arrest of illegal waste and tire dumpers; and discussed illegal dumping of tires at area school assemblies, as well as providing education action kits and other educational materials to teachers and the public.

Organics Management Award

San Francisco Department of the Environment—Organics Recycling Programs divert organic materials from landfills through a variety of programs, including:

• Redistributing edible, discarded produce and other food by the San Francisco Food Bank and redistributing prepared foods from restaurants by Food Runners.
• Dairy farmers using food processing waste and edible produce for animal feed.
• Using bakery discards to produce dry animal feed products.
• Composting home, school, and university cafeteria food scraps and yard trimmings.
• Composting clean wood to be used as biomass boiler fuel.
• Composting source-separated pre- and post-consumer food scraps from schools, households, and a wide variety of commercial generators citywide into marketed products.

In 2000, edible food redistribution diversion was nearly 3,000 tons, diversion through animal feed (including rendering) was more than 24,000 tons, on-site mulching and composting diverted more than 20,000 tons, composting diverted more than 20,000 tons, and more than 1,000 tons of source-separated wood was diverted.

Public Information Award

Los Angeles County Department of Public Works—Countywide Smart Gardening Program’s success is largely due to its free workshops (attended by 3,000 residents in 2000), regional events (reaching 18,000 residents), public outreach, partnership with other agencies, and corporate sponsorships.

On-site workshops held at the county’s 13 demonstration centers provide hands-on training in composting, vermicomposting, grasscycling, and water-wise gardening. Backyard composting bins (made of 100 percent recycled plastic) are affordable at subsidized prices. The program works closely with all 88 cities in the county to ensure that all residents have workshops available in their area. Fifty-three of the workshops were held at local schools. Corporate sponsors provide additional resources to the program.

The program is promoted through local and regional community events, press releases, direct mail, utility and waste hauler bill inserts, flier distribution at various city halls, door hangers at each demonstration center, newspaper advertisements, community and city newsletters, radio and television public service announcements, www.smartgardening.com, and the 1-888-CLEAN LA environmental hotline.

Recycling Award

City of San Jose, Environmental Services Department, Integrated Waste Management Division offers two programs focused on reducing workplace waste. The Recycle @ Work program serves over 80 city facilities and nearly 9,000 employees. Employees receive a desk-side recycling container (made from 30 percent post-consumer recycled content) and a MiniCan (made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled content) in place of the standard five-gallon solid waste can.

Employees empty their office containers into centralized solid waste and recycling receptacles. Program staff conduct waste audits and staff trainings, set up displays in the city hall lobby, write updates for the quarterly employee newsletter, participate in local events, and provide a variety of educational materials and employee feedback opportunities. Recognition for program participation includes recycled-content promotional items.

In 2000, a total of 645 tons of materials were diverted from landfill. At the two largest administrative facilities, waste has been reduced by 50 percent, garbage capacity decreased by 60 cubic yards per week, and $11,000 per year is saved on collection costs.

The Commercial Solid Waste (CSW) Technical Assistance Program assists businesses in establishing or enhancing innovative recycling programs. CSW staff conducts waste assessments; provide desk-side recycling containers, MiniCans, and program information; and make presentations and staff display booths.

In addition, the city offers a rebate of up to $5,000 to businesses that establish a new recycling program or install equipment that increases the amount of material the firm recycles and helps them meet a target recycling rate.

In 2000, 69 businesses were assisted; over 10,000 desk-side recycling containers and 3,000 MiniCans were distributed to businesses that were not previously recycling. Seven businesses received rebates that totaled over $18,000. The technical assistance program has assisted the commercial sector in achieving 49 percent diversion of waste from landfill.

Regional Waste Reduction Award

Marin County Hazardous and Solid Waste Joint Powers Authority (JPA)—Regional Waste Reduction Program offers a wide range of waste prevention, recycling, composting, and education programs to Marin County’s residents and businesses.

Among the programs are seasonal waste collections (Christmas tree and brush clearing); recycled content purchasing; school, residential, and business waste diversion; and an ordinance requiring 50 percent diversion of construction and demolition waste.

Through local government cooperation and development of partnerships with Marin’s privately operated solid waste industry, the JPA cost-effectively reduced disposal and diverted 408,633 tons of waste in 2000.

Schools Award

Los Angeles County Department of Public Works—Battle of the Schools Waste Reduction Competition, a countywide waste reduction contest, increases awareness and encourages students to take action on their campuses. During the 2000 competition, secondary school students were encouraged to be creative in their efforts to reduce waste using a variety of techniques including waste prevention, reuse, and recycling.

At each participating school, students performed a campus waste audit. Then they prepared written waste reduction plans and worked with school administrators, faculty advisors, teachers, plant managers, and waste haulers to ensure success. Over 70 schools requested the Battle of the Schools Action Kits. The top two schools collected a total of 12 tons of materials. One of these schools reduced waste by over 16 bins in one month.

Urban Waste Reduction Award

Los Angeles County Department of Public Works—SmartBusiness Recycling Program utilizes business recycling consultants (BRCs) to perform free waste evaluations and promote and teach the basic principles of waste reduction and recycling to businesses.

Even though approximately 75 percent of the 675 businesses assisted in 2000 had some type of existing diversion program, the BRCs made significant headway in starting new programs or expanding existing ones. Businesses that implement programs with significant new diversion are eligible for a SmartBusiness award.

All of the approximately 20,000 businesses in the unincorporated county receive the SmartBusiness newsletter. In addition, a hotline is available for businesses to call for waste reduction assistance. Recycled-content items, promoting the SmartBusiness program, are distributed at trade shows and similar venues.

A telephone survey is conducted every two years to document existing awareness and measure program effectiveness. The businesses assisted by the BRCs divert approximately 23,000 tons of waste per year—a diversion rate of approximately 50 percent.

Waste Prevention Award

Stanislaus County—Food Processing Residue Use Program, established in 1978, diverts food processing residue from landfills to permitted sites that use the residue as direct cattle feed, feed processing product, or soil supplements. The majority of food residue in the program originates from food processing plants. Residue use sites include dairies and feedlots, which directly feed the material to livestock; land spreading operations; and animal feed processors.

The program was originally sponsored by the food processing manufacturers. As the commodity users recognized the value of the program, the funding system was changed to bill the food residue use sites for their proportional costs of the program. During the first 20 years of the program, more than 52 million tons of food residue were diverted from landfills.

If you have any questions regarding Trash Cutter awards, contact Debra Kustic at (916) 341-6221 or dkustic@ciwmb.ca.gov.

Editor's note

I hope you enjoyed this issue of infoCycling.

Look for an article on the new Rural Web pages in the Winter 2003 issue of infoCycling. You can access the Rural Web pages immediately on the Board's Local Government Central Web site.

Please contact me with suggestions on articles you would like to see included in infoCycling and announcements of events in your jurisdiction, at your State agency, or at your large State facility.

I can be reached at (916) 341-6240 or at twebb@ciwmb.ca.gov. 

Your comments and suggestions on infoCycling are always welcome!

Tracy

Keep in touch!

In order to keep infoCycling reaching you in the manner you prefer (e-mail or mail), it is important that you contact me at (916) 341-6240 or at twebb@ciwmb.ca.gov if another person should be receiving infoCycling or if your e-mail address, mailing address, and/or phone number changes.

Thank you.

Tracy

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Last updated: December 28, 2007