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infoCycling infoCycling, Spring 2006 |
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In this issue:
New tools for promoting the economic benefits of recyclingThe California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) developed a tool set to promote the economic benefits of diversion programs. This tool set is meant to assist the efforts of jurisdictions in implementing diversion programs and maintaining existing waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and composting programs. The Recycling: Good for the Environment/Good for the Economy tool set contains the following:
For more information, see the web page on Economics and the Environment: Benefits of Integrated Waste Management Programs. Would you like copies of the brochure, or do you have questions?To order copies of the brochure or to obtain additional assistance with these tools, contact the CIWMB Recycling Business Assistance Branch at (916) 341-6500 or contact your Local assistance staff representative at (916) 341-6199. A list of Local assistance staff representatives is available on the Local Assistance Contacts web page. Multifamily recycling works!Implementing and maintaining a successful multifamily recycling program takes the cooperation of multifamily apartment and condominium (complex) managers, the complex residents, the local waste and recycling hauler, and the jurisdiction where the complex is located. With all parties working together, a successful multifamily recycling program is possible. Many successful multifamily recycling programs have a variable fee system allowing the complex owners to reduce their disposal fees. Reduced disposal fees result from reduced garbage (waste) volume and increased recycling volume. Other successful multifamily programs have resulted from jurisdictions implementing regulations, incentives, contracts, and/or ordinances. Many successful multifamily programs also include incentives provided by complex managers and owners for residents who recycle. Of course all multifamily recycling programs should include communication and education to help encourage and implement the program. Last but not least, it is vital that the jurisdiction and the complex managers monitor the programs to maintain their success. Many jurisdictions in California have developed and implemented successful multifamily recycling programs. Examples of a variety of multifamily programs in jurisdictions are included below. City of Sacramento, City of Citrus Heights, and the Sacramento County Unincorporated AreaResidents of multifamily housing units in the City of Sacramento, Citrus Heights, and the Sacramento County Unincorporated area have the same recycling opportunities as residents of single-family and duplex homes. This recycling requirement was adopted by the Sacramento Regional County Solid Waste Authority (SWA) on February 5, 2000, in accordance with Ordinance Five. This ordinance requires all multifamily communities with five or more units on one parcel located in the cities of Sacramento and Citrus Heights, and the Sacramento County Unincorporated area, to provide recycling programs for their tenants. The ordinance requires 30 percent capacity be devoted to recycling. So, if there are three garbage bins, one of the garbage bins should be replaced with a recycling bin. Complex owners and managers may use a recycling service provided by a permitted waste hauler or a recycling service from an independent recycler. Owners or managers can choose to haul the recyclable materials themselves. The SWA provides educational and informational materials to ensure Ordinance Five is successful, including a summary of Ordinance Five, the complete ordinance, their Multifamily Recycling Guide, a list of contacts, forms, and questions and answers. This information is available on the County of Sacramento website under documents. In addition, planning and communication among all of the parties involved in establishing a multifamily recycling program plays a vital role in the success of the program. For more information, go to the County of Sacramento website. In addition, contact Doug Eubanks, Recycling Coordinator, Sacramento County Municipal Services Agency, Department of Waste Management & Recycling at (916) 875-7165. City of Tustin, Orange CountyThe City of Tustin’s multifamily recycling program works because of the cooperation between complex owners and residents and managers, as well as the city and the hauler. Tustin has roughly 4,400 units involved in its multifamily recycling program. Until the introduction of the new program in February 2005, only standard 3-yard recycle bins were available to multifamily customers and only when property managers requested them. Limited space for the standard size bins often resulted in limited distribution and thus limited participation by complex residents. The city solved their recycling bin space problem at the multifamily complexes by replacing their 3-yard trash bins with two 2-yard bins that fit in the same space as the one 3-yard bin. Now one 2-yard bin is used for trash, and the other is used for recyclables. The city provides the bins with recycling collection at no cost to the complex owners and residents. In addition, the hauler provides educational materials to the complex residents when they deliver the new bins. Finally, the complex managers monitor the use of the bins to make sure the bins are being properly used. To keep the program running smoothly and successfully, the city and hauler monitor the multifamily recycling program. For more information on Tustin’s multifamily recycling program, contact Joe Meyers, Administrative Services Manager, City of Tustin Public Works Department at (714) 573-3173. Mendocino County, Ukiah, Fort Bragg, and WillitsLast year, the Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA) employed a bilingual recycling outreach specialist to promote recycling at multifamily residences within unincorporated Mendocino County, as well as in MSWMA member cities—Ukiah, Fort Bragg, and Willits. Before the recycling outreach specialist was hired, an attempt to bring recycling into these complexes failed. With the new recycling outreach specialist, an intensive outreach and education effort was put into effect. To get buy-in from the complex residents, the bilingual recycling outreach specialist (a Spanish speaker), went door-to-door speaking with each family. He passed out recycling materials in Spanish or English depending on needs, explained the recycling program (including the resident’s responsibility in recycling at the complexes), answered questions, and brought examples of recyclables. He not only enlisted the help of the adults, but got the children involved in recycling too. Continued communication with the residents is also important. Implementing a multifamily recycling program doesn’t stop with communicating with the residents. The recycling outreach specialist also worked closely with the complex managers and owners to write new rental agreements that state residents must recycle. In addition, large English and Spanish banner labels were placed on all recycling bins. Recycling outreach materials were also placed in complex laundry rooms. To ensure the program continues to run smoothly, the outreach specialist monitors the recycling program in each complex weekly. Good communication with the haulers is a must. With the recycling outreach specialist and the haulers working cooperatively, the multifamily recycling program continues to be successful. For example, if a hauler notices that a recycling bin is contaminated with trash, the hauler notifies the recycling outreach specialist who then follows up as needed. A critical part of the success of multifamily recycling at the complexes is the new franchise agreements negotiated by MSWMA members with their haulers. The agreements call for all haulers to provide free single-stream commercial recycling, so there is NO COST to the apartment complex owner or manager for recycling bins. For more information on the MSWMA’s multifamily recycling program, contact Noel Arguelles, MSWMA Recycling Outreach Specialist at (707) 684-0262. San Diego CountySan Diego County’s “Management of Solid Waste” ordinance is helping to enforce recycling at multifamily complexes of four or more units. The complete ordinance, Title 6 Health and Sanitation, Division 8, Sewage and Refuse Disposal, Chapter 5. Management of Solid Waste, adopted April 30, 2004, is available on the American Legal Corporation Publishing website. From this website, type “Recycling” in the Quick Search field, select search, then “Chapter 5. Management of Solid Waste.” The ordinance is designed to help haulers and complexes work together to
implement recycling at multifamily complexes. The ordinance requires haulers
to provide recycling containers and multifamily complexes to separate
designated recyclable materials from the regular trash. The county put together an action plan, which included an extensive outreach effort. The outreach effort specified that San Diego County provide the following:
Another part of the action plan included San Diego County contacting multifamily complexes. The county inspected complexes larger than 60 units for compliance in targeted communities. If existing recycling bins appeared to offer adequate recycling service, the county offered assistance to multifamily complex managers including in-unit containers and signs for enclosures. If no recycling bins were in place, a packet was left with the manager or mailed if there was no on-site office. The packet included a letter explaining the ordinance and assistance program, a multifamily recycling brochure, a copy of the ordinance, a business card, and a block leader door hanger. After the initial contacts were made, San Diego County then requested a meeting with each multifamily complex manager individually to discuss ordinance requirements and the assistance program. The next step of the action plan was to monitor trash volumes in trash and recycling dumpsters located at each enclosure to determine recommendations for the most efficient and cost-effective recycling program. Recommendations for some complexes with enclosures included replacing one of the two 3-cubic-yard trash dumpsters with a recycling dumpster. Because many complexes are concerned about not having enough trash capacity, the remaining 3-cubic-yard trash dumpster within the enclosure could be replaced with a 4-cubic-yard trash dumpster. If a recycling program was not already in place, a complex manager then implemented the recycling program. San Diego County then monitored the recycling program to see that it was a continued success. Monitoring included sending follow-up surveys to the multifamily residents one month after the start of the program. Periodic inspections are made biannually on a permanent basis. For more information on San Diego County’s multifamily recycling program, contact Michael Wonsidler, Recycling Specialist, County of San Diego at (858) 874-4081. For additional information on the County of San Diego’s recycling programs, go to their website. From this website you can access their Apartment & Condos Recycling Guide Pamphlet. Contact informationIf you would like information about multifamily recycling programs, contact your California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) Local assistance staff representative. A list of Local assistance staff representatives is available on the CIWMB Local Assistance Contacts web page. AB 2277—Appliance recyclingChapter 880, Statutes of 2004 (AB 2277, Dymally) became effective January 1, 2006. This law deals with controlling the recycling of discarded major appliances. Appliance recyclers, appliance dismantlers, discarded appliance transporters, scrap recycling facilities, and others who handle a major appliance after it is no longer being used are affected by this law. A major appliance is a machine you have in your home or business, such as a washer, dryer, freezer, furnace, air conditioner, oven, stove, or microwave. Before January 1, 2006, individual appliance recyclers, dismantlers, transporters, and facilities were allowed to remove “materials that required special handling” and dispose of those materials properly before appliances were shredded or baled. What are the new requirements in removing materials that require special handling from major appliances?As of January 1, 2006, you must now be a Certified Appliance Recycler (CAR) to remove materials that require special handling from major appliances. A CAR is a person or business certified by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to remove and properly manage materials that require special handling from discarded major appliances. These materials, when removed from a discarded appliance, may not be disposed of in the garbage or at a solid waste facility. Materials that require special handling are:
Note: Some of these hazardous wastes have reduced handling standards under the Universal Waste Rule. To access this rule, see the DTSC web page, Chapter 23. Standards for Universal Waste Management. What are the new scrap recycling facility requirements when accepting major appliances?Scrap recycling facilities must:
Who should keep records, and what records should be kept?If you transport, deliver, or sell discarded major appliances to a scrap recycling facility, or if you are a scrap recycling facility or a CAR, you must retain records for at least three years. Records regarding the materials that require special handling must include:
Where can I get additional information on the law?To access the complete law, go to the Bill Information web page. The specific statutory requirements established by this law can be found in the Public Resources Code (PRC), Chapter 3.5, section 42160, and in the California Health and Safety Code (HSC), Chapter 6.5, section 25211. To read these requirements, go to the California Law web page. What other information is available?The New Laws for Appliances Recycling AB 2277 (2004) fact sheet explains the new law and its requirements. The fact sheet covers who is affected, what they must do, and where they can find the forms that recyclers of major appliances are required to submit. Who can I contact for more information? For more information on this law, contact the DTSC office nearest you. Or, call the regional Public and Business Liaisons at 1-800-72-TOXIC (1-800-728-6942). Cal/EPA leads by example—Makin’ it easy to be green!On April 6, the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) became the first State agency in California to achieve independent certification of its Environmental Management System (EMS) to the voluntary ISO 14001:2004 International Standard. Cal/EPA’s achievement supports Governor Schwarzenegger’s vision for a healthier environment and strategic, performance-based management by government. Dr. Alan Lloyd, recently retired Cal/EPA Agency Secretary, explained, “We are doing our part to meet or beat the targets set forth in the Governor’s Executive Orders on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and managing State-owned and leased buildings in the most resource-efficient manner feasible.” “A management system approach makes sense for government and business, because it makes environmental protection everyone’s job,” Dr. Lloyd continued. “Through the EMS, we are in a better position to continue to ‘walk our talk.’ Both Cal/EPA and the U.S. EPA support and promote the voluntary development and use of EMSs.” Cal/EPA strives to “Work Green, Travel Green, and Buy Green.” The agency has made the following significant reductions in its ecological footprint in the Sacramento headquarters building:
These achievements were made possible by a strong and long-standing commitment of the executive leadership of the boards, departments, and offices of the Cal/EPA to continually reduce ecological impacts from their business operations, lead by example, and assist sister State agencies in their efforts. In short, they are “Makin’ it easy to be green!” See the Cal/EPA EMS website for more information. Reuse Assistance GrantsThe California Integrated Waste Management Board has allocated $250,000 for the 2006–07 cycle of the Reuse Assistance Grants program to provide incentives for local governments to establish new or expanded reuse opportunities in California. All California cities, counties, and regional agencies mandated to develop and implement waste reduction programs pursuant to Public Resources Code section 40900 are eligible to apply individually or regionally and may partner with any entity (for example, a business or nonprofit organization). For more information or to download the application, visit the Reuse Assistance Grants web page or send an e-mail. Questions must be submitted in writing to the e-mail address above or the address below and received by May 30, 2006. Applications must be received by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, June 30, 2006, at the address below or postmarked by Friday, June 30, 2006. California Integrated Waste Management Board Grants available to help with universal wasteUniversal waste (also known as u-waste) consists of common products that contain hazardous materials such as mercury or lead used by households and California businesses. Some examples of u-waste are:
In the past, homeowners and some smaller businesses were allowed to dispose of these products as household trash. As of February 8, 2006, household and small business u-waste materials must now be handled as hazardous waste. This creates a need for a plan to process increased volumes of u-waste material collected at local household hazardous waste (HHW) collection facilities across California. Local HHW education program coordinators should modify their HHW education programs to include informing the public in their jurisdictions about new methods of managing u-waste. 15th Cycle of Household Hazardous Waste GrantsTo help local governments manage the emerging u-waste requirements, the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) is dedicating its 15th cycle of Household Hazardous Waste Grants (also known as HD 15) to assist in developing strategies for u-waste collection, upgrading waste collection facilities for handling u-waste, and developing innovative u-waste collection methods. Pending approval of the FY 2006–07 Budget Act, an anticipated $4.5 million in funding should be available for this grant cycle. The deadline for applications is May 31, 2006. All California cities, counties, and local agencies, including Indian reservations and rancherias with direct responsibility for HHW management, may apply individually or as a regional group. Businesses and nonprofit groups may partner with a local government but are not eligible to apply on their own. The HD 15 cycle offers two different types of grants: Countywide Coordination Grants—Funding includes an estimated $500,000 for countywide coordination on u-waste matters. The amount available to each countywide area is $7,000 to $15,000, based on population. This amount funds grants to each county-wide area (all jurisdictions within the county) to partially fund workshops bringing stakeholders such as local governments; water, air and waste agencies; members of industry, and the concerned public together to estimate the amount of waste expected to be generated. In addition, these entities will discuss the most cost-efficient methods of sharing the burden of collecting and processing the u-waste materials. This grant is not competitive. Countywide areas that agree to make good-faith efforts at coordination and document their findings will be funded. Only one u-waste coordination grant is available per countywide area, and any jurisdiction can apply to be the lead coordinator for their countywide area. The CIWMB is using a streamlined application and simplified reporting process to assist the jurisdictions that apply. The grant term will be approximately October 2006 through October 2007. Competitive Infrastructure Grants—Funding is an estimated $4 million for
infrastructure projects. These competitive grants are similar to the
traditional use of HHW grant funds except that extra competitive scoring
points will be given to projects that focus on u-waste.
A new project category is available for competitive funding this year. This new category includes conceptual planning and design studies for new facilities. Some local governments requested that the CIWMB allow more time for completing their projects. Other local governments say they do not have funds for the initial planning needed to compete for construction funding. Separating new facility construction into planning and building phases would solve both problems. Extra scoring points for the competitive infrastructure projects will be given to applicants from rural areas and small cities as well as those proposing multi-jurisdictional projects addressing regional needs. Qualifying individual jurisdictions may receive a maximum of $200,000, and multi-jurisdiction projects are allowed a maximum of $300,000. The grant term will be approximately October 2006 through March 2009. Submitting grant applicationsEach applicant may submit up to two applications—one application for a competitive HHW infrastructure project, and the second (with the support of other local governments) as the lead coordinator in the countywide u-waste coordination grant. Detailed instructions, as well as forms and samples, are included in the application package available online on the Household Hazardous Waste Grant: 15th Cycle, Fiscal Year 2006–07 web page. Application deadlineApplications must be mailed to the address below and postmarked no later than May 31, 2006. E-mailed or faxed applications will not be accepted. Hand-delivered applications must be received at the address below by 3:00 p.m. on May 31, 2006. California Integrated Waste Management Board Contact informationTo obtain an application, contact Wendy Roberson. For additional program information, contact Chris Schmidle. Salinas—Innovative outreach effortsMany cities, counties, and regional agencies (jurisdictions) successfully promote waste diversion activities in their communities. One way a jurisdiction can reach its communities is through a local newspaper. Take a look at the article written by the Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority and published in their local newspaper. Jurisdictions that are not already publishing similar articles in a local newspaper may want to consider this innovative outreach effort. Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Best Practices ManualPracticing environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP) means choosing products and services that offer the best value, not only in terms of cost and performance, but for the health of fellow employees, our environment, and our families. Every purchase makes a difference. The Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Best Practices Manual is now available on the Green California website to help you make informed purchases that achieve both economic and environmental balance and assist your department with meeting California’s purchasing goals. (See Public Contract Code sections 12400–12404 for more information). With direction from the State’s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Task Force and sponsorship from the Governor’s Green Action Team, the Department of General Services, the California Integrated Waste Management Board, and the California Environmental Protection Agency, more than 100 State employees from approximately 16 State agencies participated in the development of the manual. EPP = Environment + Price + PerformanceEnvironmentally preferable purchasing (EPP) is the procurement of goods and services that have a reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing goods and services serving the same purpose. EPP is about smart purchasing—buying products that give you the best value and are long lasting, high-quality, safer, less toxic, reusable, easy to recycle; material-, water-, and energy-efficient; and minimize our impact on California’s natural environment. Two important elements of diversion—source reduction and recycled-content product (RCP) procurement—are discussed and promoted throughout the entire manual. The manual is universal in scope—when all sections are finished, it will cover the entire range of products and services used by government. Note: The final manual will have 42 sections. About half of those sections have been finalized and placed online. The manual is designed to assist government purchasers and specification writers with finding and selecting environmentally preferable products. The manual will help you:
To help you make informed purchasing decisions, the manual includes the following topics on most products or services:
Other online EPP resources
Contact informationFor more information about the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Best Practices Manual, contact Kimya Lambert, CIWMB Buy Recycled section. The Department of General Services can also provide information. Buying recycled products—Simplified mandates and much more for local governmentsIf product fitness and quality are equal, local governments and State agencies must purchase recycled-content products (RCP) instead of nonrecycled products. This requirement applies when RCPs cost the same as, or less than, nonrecycled products. In addition, local governments and State agencies must obtain recycled-content certification for the products that are offered or sold to them. The intent of these buy recycled mandates is to ensure new markets for commodities and materials that have been diverted from California’s landfills. Many of these materials are collected through programs administered by local governments. Why is it important to buy RCPs?Buying RCPs:
What are the new mandates regarding RCP procurement?The RCP procurement mandates for local governments and State agencies were updated effective January 1, 2006, with the passage of Chapter 590, Statutes of 2005 (Committee on Environmental Quality, SB 1106). Most of the changes in the law for the buy recycled programs of State agencies and local governments are “cleanup” language. The codes are now consolidated to avoid the need to reference several sections of the Public Contract Code (PCC) to determine the legal requirements of procuring RCPs. The law for local governments is in sections 22150–22154 of the PCC. See The California Law web page for the complete text of these sections. To access the complete text of the law, go to Bill Information web page. Substantive changes that apply to local governments include the following:
Product Categories and Content Requirements
In order for a product within one of the 11 categories to be considered a recycled-content product, it must meet the minimum content requirement for its product category. The content requirements are in the table above. The bolded areas in the table reflect updates made in the law. Has the quality of RCPs changed?Local governments—if you have been avoiding RCPs because of a negative experience several years ago, the CIWMB encourages you to give RCPs another chance. Today, RCPs that meet the same performance standards as their virgin counterparts are readily available. For example, the American Petroleum Institute, which sets the standards for most auto and equipment manufacturer warranties, has certified re-refined oils that pass the same tests as virgin oils do, thus ensuring consistent performance standards for all engine oils. In order to allow RCPs to compete on a level playing field with non-RCPs, local governments should review contracts and delete contract provisions that impede the consideration of recycled products and use performance standards instead. (See PCC section 22152.) What is the difference in price of RCPs and non-recycled products?Many RCPs—such as corrugated packaging, padded mailers, latex paint, compost, mulch, remanufactured toner cartridges, retreaded tires, and many others—cost the same as or less than non-recycled equivalents. Some RCPs—particularly durable plastic and rubber products like plastic lumber and rubberized asphalt—have an initial cost that may be higher than comparable non-RCPs. However, when looking at the cost of the products throughout their lives, these RCPs often turn out to be less expensive. When cost comparisons include repair, maintenance, labor, replacement, and other costs, the total cost of these durable RCPs may be less than similar non-RCPs. What is the availability of RCPs?Many common products—such as office supplies, janitorial paper products, packaging, construction products, outdoor furniture, landscaping products, vehicular products, and promotional items—are readily available with recycled content. Your current contractors and vendors can obtain RCPs if they are requested to do so; therefore, it is usually not necessary to create new business relationships. Local governments can also locate or find information on RCPs through the following resources of the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) and other State agencies:
How can the CIWMB assist local governments?The CIWMB assists local governments in supporting and promoting RCP procurement by offering the following:
Where can I get more information?If you have further questions regarding buy recycled mandates for local governments, contact Kimya Lambert, CIWMB Buy Recycled Section. Or, contact your CIWMB Local assistance staff representative if you have questions. A list of Local assistance staff representatives is available on the Local Assistance Contacts web page. The CIWMB also assists procurement staff from the Legislature and all State agencies in establishing practices for purchasing recycled-content products and helping State agencies meet the requirements of the SABRC. CIWMB staff can provide training and procurement options, which can assist State agencies to meet their mandated goals. If you have questions, contact your CIWMB State agency assistance section representative. A list of the representatives can be found on the State Agency Waste Management Staff Contacts web page. New diversion program guide and brochure for large venues and events!The Large Venue and Large Event Recycling Programs law, Chapter 879, Statutes of 2004 (AB 2176, Montanez), requires large venue facilities and events in California to plan for solid waste reduction. Local governments must annually report to the CIWMB on the progress of the top 10 percent of waste generating venues and events in their jurisdiction. For more information on this law, go to the Bill Information web page. New publications to assist large venues and eventsThe California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) developed two new publications that local governments (jurisdictions) may use to assist large venues and events to reduce waste. Solid Waste Reduction Guide for Venues and Special Events—This 29-page step-by-step guide for venues and events may be used in planning and implementing a waste diversion program. The guide has several appendices with supplemental information. Jurisdictions working with a large venue or event can use this valuable tool to assist them in establishing or improving solid waste diversion programs. Waste Reduction Tips for Large Venues and Events—This tri-fold brochure offers large venue and event solid waste diversion program tips and includes a blank panel for adding local contacts, resources, and information. Jurisdictions must comply with the Large Venues and Events law mandate to provide waste reduction information when issuing a permit to venues and events. The brochure may be useful to jurisdictions in fulfilling this mandate. More large venues and events resourcesTo learn more about venues and events solid waste diversion, the Large Venues and Events law, and answers to frequently asked questions about the mandates, please visit the CIWMB’s Waste Reduction at Venue Facilities and Large Events web page. The CIWMB is updating the pages and adding network resources for jurisdictions and large venues and events. Check back frequently for the latest information. Contact informationTo be notified directly as new tools, resources, and information become available, register to receive e-mail updates. If you have questions regarding venues and events waste diversion, please contact Debra Kustic. Editor’s noteLook for a special edition of infoCycling on construction and demolition (C&D) debris in May 2006. 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 reach Tracy Webb 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 |
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