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Winter 2004 infoCycling infoCycling, Winter 2004 |
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In this issue:
Workshop covers waste reduction programs at venues and special eventsLooking for more diversion tonnage to meet your waste reduction goal? Starting or improving waste diversion at venues facilities like stadiums, parks, and convention centers and special events such as community food festivals can be a cost-effective strategy. Want to learn more? Staff from the CIWMB's Venues and Large Events Waste Reduction Project is coordinating with the California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) to present the Venues and Events Problem-Solving Workshop March 9, 2004, at the CRRA’s 2004 conference in Sacramento, Tools For Change: A Training & Certification Conference. The conference will be held March 8–10, in conjunction with the CIWMB’s Fifth Annual Recycled Products Trade Show, March 10–11 at the Sacramento Convention Center. The workshop is designed for venue facility and special event managers, as well as local recycling coordinators. The workshop will cover the basics of how to start a waste reduction and recycling program at venue facilities and offer problem-solving discussions for those who want to improve their existing program. The workshop will cover such topics as project planning and financing, equipment purchasing, and organics. For more information on the workshop, call Leslie Lukacs at (562) 426-9544 or Melissa Vargas at (916) 341-6243. To make a reservation for Tools For Change: A Training & Certification Conference, call (916) 441-2772 or visit the Web site. For information on other sessions offered at the conference, contact CRRA at (916) 441-2772. For additional information on the Venues and Events Problem-Solving Workshop, access the News and Events page on the CIWMB’s site for waste reduction at venue facilities and large events. Customer needs are important to the CIWMB!Based on customer input regarding the Board’s Local Government Central (LG Central) Web site, the CIWMB is continuously updating LG Central. In February 2004 the CIWMB conducted a survey seeking feedback from customers to help improve the LG Central Web site tools and information. Survey results are helping the CIWMB to better tailor LG Central to meet customer needs. The survey is still available through LG Central. The CIWMB encourages all interested parties to complete this survey and submit it by selecting the Submit Survey button at the bottom of the survey. The survey introduces new Web pages and requests feedback on tools and information customers would like added to LG Central. In addition, the survey has also helped the CIWMB identify customers and their reasons for using LG Central. Who are LG Central’s customers, and why do they use LG Central?LG Central’s customers include a variety of people working toward the same goals. These people are interested in meeting diversion requirements and in helping keep California an environmentally sound place to live. Customers use the LG Central Web site for many reasons:
CIWMB is constantly adding new tools, data, features, and information on LG Central to make it easier for local jurisdictions and State agencies to meet California’s waste reduction goals. If you have suggestions on information or data you would like to see on LG Central, e-mail or contact Larry Stephens at (916) 341-6241. CIWMB offers grants for local governmentReuse assistance grantsThe Reuse Assistance Grants Program is a recurring, competitive CIWMB grant program, with the next application period tentatively scheduled for fall 2004. The purpose of the grants is to promote and apply the concept of reuse by developing or expanding reuse activities at the local level. In general, local governments (cities, counties, or regional agencies) in California are eligible to apply for funding and may apply individually or regionally. Specific eligibility and preference criteria are established for each grant cycle. Partnerships between jurisdictions and private entities, such as businesses or nonprofits, are allowed. The CIWMB’s Reuse Assistance Grants Web page includes information on the following:
If you have additional questions regarding the reuse assistance grants, e-mail or contact Sarah Weimer at (916) 341-6613. Local government waste tire cleanup grantsUnder the Local Government Waste Tire Cleanup Grants Program, local governments (cities, counties, or regional agencies), local enforcement agencies (LEA), county and city departments, fire districts, code enforcement agencies, and California Native American organizations are eligible for grant funding. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis for the removal, transportation, recycling, and disposal of waste tires from illegal tire piles and areas where illegal dumping has occurred along public right-of-ways. Applications postmarked by March 15, 2004, will be taken to the Board for approval in May 2004. For current information on Tire Recycling Grant Program availability, access the Tire Recycling, Cleanup, and Enforcement Grants Web site or call CIWMB’s tire program hotline at (916) 341-6441. You may also e-mail or contact Diane Nordstrom at (916) 341- 6448. State agency and large State facility electronic annual reports are dueThe 2003 California State agency and large State facility (State agencies) electronic annual waste diversion reports (AR) are due April 1, 2004. Based on last year’s overwhelming success with all State agencies using the AR, the CIWMB will utilize the AR again this year. The CIWMB-developed electronic reporting system uses the World Wide Web to allow State agencies to fill out—and submit—their reports conveniently via computer. This advanced electronic filing system helps State agencies reduce the time, effort, and cost needed to complete their annual self-evaluation of solid waste diversion performance. The CIWMB takes all measures to provide secured access to all users. Passwords are provided to each State agency coordinator working on and submitting the mandated annual report, per Public Resources Code section 42926. Electronic annual waste diversion report passwordsThe CIWMB continuously works to assure convenient and secure access. In doing this, the CIWMB recognizes that security is a concern for many. To address the security concern, each State agency’s AR links to a unique password that keeps data secure. All AR data and information received is placed onto a CIWMB secured server. State agency recycling coordinators should have received their passwords in early January 2004 by the U.S. Postal Service; additionally, CIWMB State Organization Facility Assistance (SOFA) staff sent an e-mail notice to the State agency recycling coordinators informing them that their passwords were mailed. Electronic annual waste diversion report assistanceSubmitting ARs The CIWMB makes it fast and easy to comply with the annual reporting requirements through the AR. The AR builds upon the data submitted the previous year, creating a total interactive and integrated reporting system. For example, completing your AR is as easy as updating the contact information, updating the list of facilities from the previous year, addressing a series of questions, and identifying recycling programs and their impact on your State agency’s diversion efforts. For information on submitting ARs, access the Electronic Annual Report Web page. Instructions and help As you move toward completing the AR, instructions are provided for each section. In addition, all instructions are provided on the Instructions and Help Web page. An online video workshop is also available. The online video may be viewed in its entirety, or you can go directly to the part you need help with. Example State agency plans and ARs Every State agency plan and AR submitted to the CIWMB is available for viewing on the CIWMB's State Organization and Agency Recycling Database (SOARD) system. Accessing the SOARD system can provide examples of agency and facility diversion programs related to your own. If additional assistance is needed, please read below on how to contact your CIWMB SOFA staff representative. Contact informationState agency recycling coordinators should contact their SOFA staff representative for assistance. SOFA staff will be able to help guide you through the process and assure timely submittal of your AR. To locate the name, phone number, and e-mail address of your assigned SOFA staff person, access the CIWMB State and Local Assistance Staff Contacts Web page . Frequently Asked Questions—Web page on Local Government CentralThe CIWMB’s Local Government Central Web site answers questions that customers frequently ask. Below are some questions and answers you can expect to find. How do I find my jurisdiction’s diversion rate? There are two convenient ways to find a jurisdiction's performance. The Jurisdiction Diversion Rate Summary gives the diversion rate performance and biennial review status for jurisdictions from 1995 to present. California Waste Stream Profiles gives diversion rates, disposal data, population, and other pertinent information about any California jurisdiction. My jurisdiction already filed its annual report. Why do we need a biennial review? The annual report is a jurisdiction's self-evaluation of its performance. See Public Resource Code (PRC) section 41821. The biennial review is the evaluation by the CIWMB of the jurisdiction's performance. See PRC section 41825 . The CIWMB may come to a different conclusion than the jurisdiction, based on its evaluation of the information. How do I find the base year for a jurisdiction? Use the Jurisdiction Diversion Rate Summary. After selecting your jurisdiction, click on the biennial review status or the diversion rate calculator and it will show the base year. Where do I find out about grants that may be available for my jurisdiction? The CIWMB Grants and Loans Web site specifically addresses the many types of grants available. To access the entire list of questions and answers, go to the CIWMB Frequently Asked Questions Web page. From the Web page, you can also submit a question by selecting “I wish to submit a question for the FAQs.” If you have any questions regarding the Frequently Asked Questions Web page, e-mail or contact WasteLine at (916) 341-6675. Electronic Waste Recycling ActCalifornia’s new Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 (SB 20, Sher, Chapter 526, Statutes of 2003) is a landmark step forward in addressing the state’s growing electronic waste challenge—one that involves one of the fastest-growing and most complex components of the state’s waste stream. The electronic waste challenge has left consumers wondering how best to manage their electronic discards and has left many local governments paying the cost for electronic discards. According to a CIWMB report on a study conducted in 2001 (Selected E-Waste Diversion in California: A Baseline Study, CIWMB publication #610-01-008), an estimated 6 million obsolete computer monitors and television sets were "stockpiled" in California homes. The Electronic Waste Recycling Act went into effect on January 1, 2004, with many personal computers, television sets, and other consumer electronic products considered "obsolete" by consumers and being discarded at an extremely fast pace. The continued improper disposal of products containing quantities of lead, mercury, cadmium and other hazardous components poses serious public health and environmental safety risks. The Electronic Waste Recycling Act will provide funding for the recovery and recycling of a portion of these products in California. What electronic products are covered?The Electronic Waste Recycling Act currently covers electronic products that contain a cathode ray tube (CRT). This includes mainly computer monitors and standard televisions. Starting July 1, 2004, consumers will be charged an electronic waste recycling fee at the time they purchase the covered item. The fee varies from six to ten dollars depending on the screen size (for example, the fee for 4- to 15-inch screens is $6, for 15- to 32-inch screens, $8, and for screens of 32 inches and up, $10). In the future, if the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) determines that flat panel displays and/or other video display devices are hazardous, these items will also be subject to the above fees. Electronic Waste Recycling Act requirementsCalifornia’s Electronic Waste Recycling Act includes the following key requirements:
Go to the bill for the other Electronic Waste Recycling Act requirements. A new "clean-up" bill that would clarify or revise the Electronic Waste Recycling Act is currently in the legislative process (SB 50, Sher). Stakeholder meetingsCIWMB and DTSC held a series of stakeholder meetings from October 2003 to February 2004 to gain feedback on regulations for implementing the Electronic Waste Recycling Act. All notes from these meetings and dates of any future meetings will be on the CIWMB’s Electronic Product Management Web site. The CIWMB encourages all interested parties to visit this Web page to learn about and take advantage of opportunities to participate in shaping systems that will result from this legislation. What’s next?Emergency regulations To clarify and resolve many issues in implementation of the act, the CIWMB will be developing emergency regulations in close consultation with affected stakeholder groups. CIWMB staff will bring the proposed emergency regulations to the April 2004 CIWMB meeting for approval. Once the emergency regulations are approved, they will be forwarded to the State’s Office of Administrative Law. The goal is to have the emergency regulations in place by June 2004. The following issues were addressed with stakeholders for the emergency regulations:
Important dates to remember The DTSC will need to inform manufacturers what electronic products are covered by the act so that by April 1, 2004, manufacturers can meet requirements to inform retailers of what electronic products are covered by the act. By July 1, 2004, retailers that sell in California and retailers that sell to California consumers will begin collecting the electronic waste recycling fees on the covered products sold, including Internet or other direct marketing sales. Retailers will not be allowed to sell electronic devices from manufacturers who are out of compliance with the act. The CIWMB must establish an electronic waste recovery and recycling payment schedule, setting the amount of reimbursement available and the procedures to claim it. Starting July 1, 2004, a fee will be assessed and collected by retailers on video display devices that are hazardous, based on ranges of screen sizes. For example, the fee for screens 4- to 15-inches will be $6, for screens 15- to 32-inches, $8, and for screens 32 inches and up, $10. Retailers collect the fee at the time of the purchase, and then remit the collected fee (minus up to 3 percent) to the CIWMB. Retailers keep up to 3 percent of the fee collected. Starting in July 2005, manufacturers must report to the CIWMB the number of covered devices sold annually, how much recycled content product is used in their products, how much of certain hazardous materials are used in their products, and how they plan to design their products to facilitate recycling. Also in July 2005, electronic product manufacturers must start informing consumers of available electronic waste management information. In addition, starting in July 2005, the electronic waste recycling fees assessed may be adjusted by the CIWMB to compensate for funding deficiencies identified by the CIWMB and DTSC. By the start of 2007, DTSC may issue regulations to prohibit the sale of electronic devices in California that contain materials prohibited by the European Union Directive 2002/95/EC, also known as the Reduction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive. And by the end of 2007, through the provisions of the Electronic Waste Recycling Act and the efforts of all stakeholders, California is expected to have eliminated its CRT stockpiles. Contact informationMore information on the Electronic Waste Recycling Act and emergency regulations is available on the CIWMB’s Electronics Web site. You can also e-mail or contact Matt McCarron at (916) 341-6456. Editor’s noteI hope you enjoyed this edition of infoCycling. In the spring 2004 edition, look for an article on jurisdictions that established new base years and the benefits of establishing a new base year. Please contact me with suggestions on articles you would like to see included in infoCycling and announcements of events in your jurisdiction or at your State agency. You can e-mail or reach me at (916) 341-6240. Your comments and suggestions on infoCycling are always welcome! Tracy |
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Last updated: December 28, 2007 Local Government Central http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/LGCentral/ Larry N. Stephens: lstephen@ciwmb.ca.gov (916) 341-6241 |