City of Adelanto Furthering State' s Recycling Success: Community' s waste diversion rate exceeds state goals

SACRAMENTO--Progress in California's movement to reduce waste and combat climate change was highlighted this week, with the California Integrated Waste Management Board's (CIWMB) certification of the waste reduction and recycling program for the City of Adelanto (San Bernardino County).

Adelanto, which previously had not met the requirement of 50 percent diversion of its waste from landfills, has increased their diversion rate from 38 percent to more than 60 percent today -- far exceeding its mandate and well above the statewide average.

"The City of Adelanto is another success story in California's quiet revolution in waste management," said Board Chair Margo Reid Brown." Simply put, they took a look at what they had to do, rolled up their sleeves -- and now they' re not just compliant with the law, but a strong contributor to the state' s world-renown leadership role in sustainability and environmental protection."

Over the past two years, City officials, with the assistance of the CIWMB, have created an extensive citywide plan that includes education, surveys, correcting measurements and incentive programs targeted at every sector of the population, from individual residents to large businesses and the school district.

In 2004, the Board found that the City of Adelanto had failed to implement its Source Reduction and Recycling Element and its Plan of Correction, and adopted a compliance order that required the city to work with the Board to determine gaps in diversion programs and implement more diversion programs.

As a result of the successful partnership and program implementation, that compliance order was lifted this week.

Adelanto started its diversion efforts by focusing on its own recycling programs. The city hired a recycling coordinator, participated in training sessions with CIWMB personnel, and organized an Adelanto Recycling Team. City leaders also offered incentive programs and created a green purchasing policy, which is being implemented.

The City's additional efforts include extensive public outreach and education. City residents received fliers and brochures with information on solid waste and diversion services in order to improve participation and set-out rates. Businesses were educated on the services provided by the community's waste, and free waste assessments were offered to assist businesses with identifying diversion possibilities.

City leaders also adopted an ordinance to divert construction and demolition materials. The ordinance requires a minimum of 50 percent diversion for all construction and demolition projects larger than 1,000 square feet before a permit is issued.

The city developed new drop-off and pick-up opportunities for residents and businesses. Medical waste and sharps are accepted at pharmacies, California Bio-Mass in Victorville accepts greenwaste, Ecology Auto Parts accepts used oil, and Earthwize Recycling accepts California Redemption Value products. The city takes in electronic waste, universal waste, and household hazardous waste at special community collection programs every year.

Ongoing monitoring, evaluation and adjustment are crucial elements of Adelanto's waste diversion plan. Although it is now in compliance with the State's waste diversion mandates, city officials indicate that they plan to continue to expand, create and implement new diversion programs.

California's recycling industry now accounts for 85,000 jobs. It generates $4 billion yearly in salaries and wages, and produces $10 billion worth of goods and services annually. Recycling has become a viable, mainstream industry that is equivalent to the size of the motion picture industry in California.

The Waste Board is the State agency designated to oversee, manage, and track California's 92 million tons of waste generated each year. The Board promotes a sustainable environment where these resources are not wasted but can be reused or recycled in partnership with all California.

The California Integrated Waste Management Board is the state's leading authority on recycling and waste reduction. It promotes reducing waste whenever possible, managing all materials to their highest and best use and protecting public health and safety and the environment.

The California Integrated Waste Management Board is one of six boards, departments, and offices within the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA).

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