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In each of the following Source Reduction and Recycling Element (SRRE) component
discussions, the focus is on specific topics in each of the components to consider when
determining whether or not a SRRE is considered adequate. The specific topics in each
component are significant and have been selected because those topics can provide the
majority of information necessary for staff to determine whether or not a plan or element
can be deemed adequate.
Source Reduction and Recycling Element
Statutes: PRC sections
41000-41460
The SRRE is composed of the following components: waste characterization,
source reduction, recycling, composting, solid waste facility capacity, education and
public information, funding, special waste and integration. Each city and county is
required to prepare, adopt, and submit to the Board a SRRE which includes a program for
management of solid waste generated within the respective local jurisdiction. The SRREs
place primary emphasis on implementation of all feasible source reduction, recycling, and
composting programs while identifying the amount of landfill and transformation capacity
that will be needed for solid waste which cannot be reduced, recycled, or composted.
Regulations: 14 CCR sections 18730 – 18748, 18760 –
18775
Modification of these regulations is currently occurring that will clarify
and provide guidance to the jurisdictions preparing SRREs. The SRRE is addressed in three
articles of Title 14, Chapter 9, of the California Code of Regulations (CCR): Articles
6.1, 6.2, and 7.0 (Solid Waste Generation Studies; Contents of Source Reduction and
Recycling Element; and the Procedures for Preparing and Revising City and County Source
Reduction and Recycling Elements, and Household Hazardous Waste Elements, respectively).
Article 6.1 specifies requirements for the SWGS which establishes baseline waste
disposal and diversion tonnages from which achievement of the 25 and 50 percent waste
diversion mandates will be measured. The waste characterization information required by
the Article is used by jurisdictions to identify materials which could be diverted and to
select programs which target those materials.
Article 6.2 specifies the means by which each jurisdiction is required to prepare and
implement a SRRE. The objective of this Article is to summarize the percentage of solid
waste diversion which a jurisdiction plans to attain through each component program of the
SRRE (i.e., Source Reduction, Recycling, Composting, and Special Wastes components); and
to indicate the time frame required to achieve each objective.
Article 7.0 outlines the procedures for circulating, reviewing, and submitting a
preliminary and final draft SRRE and HHWE. This Article also addresses the Board’s SRRE
and HHWE approval process, the annual report and biennial SRRE and HHWE review procedures.
The annual report, prepared by the local jurisdiction, summarizes the progress achieved in
meeting the waste reduction mandates. It also serves as a basis for determining whether a
revision of an element is needed. The biennial review is a Board-conducted independent
review of an element, assessing each jurisdiction’s progress toward meeting the waste
reduction mandates.
Source Reduction and Recycling Element Content
Adequacy
An adequate SRRE contains the following regulatory required components:
Adequacy of Solid Waste Generation Study (SWGS)
- Base Year Waste Generation Measurement. Waste generation shall include (1)
diversion data from source reduction, recycling and composting activities, and (2)
disposal data from permitted transformation and landfill facilities used by a
jurisdiction.
- Representative Sampling and Seasonal Variation. The SWGS shall be representative,
reflect seasonal variations and be as accurate as possible. Baseyear data would be
representative if (1) the sampled wastes were typical examples of waste generated by a
jurisdiction’s residential, commercial and industrial sectors, and (2) the annual waste
stream was characterized by measuring the amount of the annual tons of waste types
disposed and diverted by each sector. The sampling shall measure any seasonal variation in
waste generated throughout the year. Seasonal variation may include changes in waste
generated due to seasons, tourist activities, and large public events. Jurisdictions may
use data from a comparable jurisdiction to demonstrate this seasonal variation rather than
performing their own waste characterization.
- Sampling Methods. Four methods may be used, as defined in Article 6.1 of the CCR.
The method selected shall characterize the jurisdiction’s waste stream. The discussion
of the selected method shall indicate whether the sampling was representative of the
jurisdiction.
- Accuracy of Data, Calculations, and In-Place Volume. The SWGS data and
calculations are required to be as accurate as possible. Calculations may include
converting the volume amount of waste diverted and/or disposed to weight, when only
volumetric data is available.
- Comparable Data. Jurisdictions may use comparable data to characterize their
waste stream. If comparable data are used, then a description must be included on how the
jurisdictions were comparable. The description shall include a discussion comparing waste
generation factors such as population size, residential, commercial and industrial sector
percentages, the economic base and demographics of the two jurisdictions.
- Normally Disposed Of. The SWGS shall demonstrate that each specific waste type
claimed for diversion was normally disposed in a permitted disposal facility used by the
jurisdiction. The disposal amount of a waste type claimed for diversion shall be at least
.001 percent of the jurisdiction’s total disposed waste stream.
- Base Year Diversion Claims. These claims shall be substantiated in the SWGS with
an explanation of data sources and an explanation of how the amounts were determined. The
claim shall also be based on an accurate account of the diversion programs and facilities
used by the jurisdiction.
- Base Year Diversion Claims for Specific Waste Types. Base year diversion claims
for agricultural wastes, inert solids, scrap metals and white goods are allowed under
three specific conditions. Documentation is required to show (1) a specific local action
resulted in the diversion; (2) the historical disposal amounts for each restricted waste
type claimed as diverted are not less than the claimed diversion amounts; and (3) the
diversion programs selected are, or will be, implemented by the local jurisdiction.
Documentation shall be specific to the specific waste type claimed for base year
diversion. Jurisdictions shall submit documentation related to their base year diversion
of specific waste types for staff to evaluate and determine whether the three criteria
have been met.
SRRE Component List
Adequacy of Source Reduction Component
- Evaluation of Alternatives. The component contains an evaluation of source
reduction diversion program alternatives considered for possible local implementation.
These alternatives can include rate structure modifications, economic incentives,
technical, instructional and promotional assistance, and local regulatory programs.
Specificity of the alternatives discussed is up to the discretion of the local
jurisdiction. However, the evaluation criteria selected by the local jurisdiction shall be
identified and defined. If the criteria have been ranked for the selection of a diversion
alternative, then a definition must be included that describes the ranking methodology.
- Program Selection. The component contains an identification and description of
the source reduction programs selected for implementation. Decisions on which programs
were selected shall be up to the discretion of the local jurisdiction. The selection
process and decision shall be based on criteria established by the local jurisdiction.
That criteria shall be included in the text of the component.
SRRE Component List
Adequacy of Recycling Component
- Evaluation of Alternatives. The component contains an evaluation of recycling
diversion program alternatives considered for possible local implementation. These
alternatives include methods for separating recyclable materials from the waste stream
such as curbside and mobile collection systems, drop off and buy-back recycling centers,
material recovery operations, salvage at solid waste facilities, changes in zoning and
building codes to encourage recycling, changes in rate structures, changes to procurement
programs to give purchase preferences and changes in solid waste handling methods to
preserve the integrity of recovered materials. Specificity of the alternatives discussed
is up to the discretion of the local jurisdiction. However, the evaluation criteria
selected by the local jurisdiction shall be identified and defined. If the criteria have
been ranked for the selection of a diversion alternative, then a definition must be
included that describes the ranking methodology.
- Program Selection. The component contains an identification and description of
the recycling diversion programs selected for implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Decisions on which programs were selected shall be up to the discretion of the local
jurisdiction. The selection process and decision shall be based on criteria established by
the local jurisdiction. That criteria shall be included in the text of the component.
- Market Development. The component contains a discussion of the local market
development activities that have, and/or will, occur within the local jurisdiction or
region that stimulate the use of postconsumer waste materials as raw materials for
feedstock by private business, industry, and commerce. Discussion includes active
participation in areas such as: procurement measures, applying for designation as a market
development zone; encouraging economic, regulatory (i.e., relaxing or suspending locally
originated or modified building codes, zoning laws and general plans) or tax incentives
(i.e., elimination or reduction of construction taxes or business license taxes); making
land use decisions to encourage the development of commercial, industrial, or
manufacturing purposes; and other incentives such as providing for the expansion of
infrastructure and for providing for increased amounts of recyclable feedstock. If a
market development zone has been created or is anticipated in the future within the region
or local jurisdiction, then the component contains that discussion as well.
SRRE Component List
Adequacy of Composting Component
- Evaluation of Alternatives. The component contains an evaluation of composting
diversion program alternatives considered for possible local implementation. These
alternatives include composting programs which take materials source separated from the
municipal solid waste stream or separated at a centralized waste processing facility.
Specificity of the alternatives discussed is up to the discretion of the local
jurisdiction. However, the evaluation criteria selected by the local jurisdiction shall be
identified and defined.
- Program Selection. The component contains an identification and description of
the composting diversion programs selected for implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Decisions on which programs were selected shall be up to the discretion of the local
jurisdiction. The selection process and decision shall be based on criteria established by
the local jurisdiction. That criteria shall be included in the text of the component.
- Market Development. The component contains a discussion of the local market
development activities that have, and/or will occur within the local jurisdiction or
region that stimulate the use of postconsumer waste materials generated as raw materials
used as feedstock by private business, industry, and commerce. Discussion may include
active participation in areas such as: applying for designation as a market development
zone; encouraging economic, regulatory (i.e., relaxing or suspending locally originated or
modified building codes, zoning laws and general plans); making land use decisions to
encourage the development of commercial purposes; and other incentives such as providing
for the expansion of infrastructure and for providing for increased amounts of recyclable
feedstock. If a market development zone has been created or one is anticipated in the
future within the region or local jurisdiction, then the component contains that
discussion as well.
SRRE Component List
Adequacy of Special Waste Component
The component addresses the local jurisdiction’s existing special waste program and
includes a plan to reduce the hazard potential of special wastes by waste type found in
the data generated in the Solid Waste Generation Study. Specific special waste categories
are addressed in the component including sludge (sewage and industrial), ash, asbestos,
auto shredder waste, auto bodies, and other special wastes.
- Evaluation of Alternatives. The component contains an evaluation of identified
special wastes identified in the SWGS for which there is no permitted handling or disposal
method within the jurisdiction.
- Program Selection. The component contains an identification and description of
the special waste programs selected for implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
Decisions on which programs were selected shall be up to the discretion of the local
jurisdiction. The selection process and decision shall be based on criteria established by
the local jurisdiction.
SRRE Component List
Adequacy of Disposal Facility Capacity Component
- Combined Permitted Disposal Capacity. The component identifies and describes all
existing permitted landfills and transformation facilities within the jurisdiction. It
also contains the combined permitted disposal capacity for each permitted disposal
facility within the jurisdiction. A disposal facility needs projection estimating the
additional disposal capacity, in cubic yards per year, is also included. The projection
must be calculated using the equation provided in CCR section 18744. This calculation
projects the need for capacity needed to handle the generation of solid waste within the
jurisdiction for a 15-year period.
- Agreements for Importation/Exportation. The component contains a description of
the solid waste generated in the jurisdiction that is imported and/or exported to disposal
facilities through interjurisdictional agreements, or memorandums of understanding, with
other cities, counties, or states. A copy of the agreement or memorandum of understanding
is included in the component. This requirement is only needed if a jurisdiction is
claiming disposal capacity in another jurisdiction.
SRRE Component List
The component describes the cost estimates for the source reduction, recycling,
composting, special waste and public information and education programs scheduled for
planning, development, and implementation in the SRRE. It also identifies revenue sources
to support those programs. Sources of contingency funding are addressed in this component.
Contingency funding can be identified by a list of possible revenue sources, such as
tipping fees.
SRRE Component List
Adequacy of Public Education and Information Component
- Target Audience. The component contains a description of the solid waste
generators or sources that will be targeted in education and public information perograms.
Targeted generators or sources can include residential, commercial, industrial, or other
sources, based on the data compiled in the SWGS conducted for the individual jurisdiction.
In addition to the identification of targeted generators or sources, these groups may be
categorized in the component by subgroups, such as hospitals, retail and wholesale trade,
stores, business offices, military installations, single family and multi-family
dwellings, factories, refineries, etc.
- Program Selection. The component contains an identification and description of
the public education and information programs selected for implementation, monitoring, and
evaluation. Decisions on which programs were selected shall be up to the discretion of the
local jurisdiction. The selection process and decision shall be based on criteria
established by the local jurisdiction. The criteria shall be included in the text of the
component.
SRRE Component List
Adequacy of Integration Component
- Prioritization of Selected Programs. The component contains an explanation of how
the selected source reduction, recycling, composting, and special waste programs combine
to met the 25 percent and 50 percent mandates. The explanation describes the solid waste
management practices which fulfill the legislative mandates of promoting waste management
in the hierarchy outlined in PRC section 40051.
- Master Implementation Schedule. The component contains a master schedule that
indicates all implementation tasks for new and expanded solid waste diversion programs.
The schedule contains a title for each task, task start date and milestone date, entity
implementing the task, and schedule for funding source availability.
- Achievement of Mandates. The component contains an explanation of how each of the
programs selected jointly achieve the 25 percent and 50 percent diversion mandates. The
explanation includes a discussion of how the local jurisdiction determined the priorities
between the components.
- Contingency Measures and Milestones. The component contains a description of
contingency diversion programs that may be implemented by the local jurisdiction. The
contingency programs are based on the local jurisdiction’s determination after results
are obtained from the selected and implemented diversion programs in each component or if
an event in local, state or national conditions changes. The contingency diversion
programs must also be included in the master implementation schedule, indicating triggered
events, tasks and milestones.
SRRE Component List
As approved by the Board on November 17, 1993.
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