Solid Waste Characterization

Requirements for California Jurisdictions

All jurisdictions (incorporated cities, unincorporated counties and regional agencies) in California were required to collect data on their local waste streams in 1990 in order to develop solid waste management plans. These plans are called "source reduction and recycling elements" (SRRE). Jurisdictions are required to review these plans every five years, and revise them if necessary. They must evaluate whether they need to revise their solid waste data.

Requirements for collecting data have changed.  Many jurisdictions will not need to revise their data, and will not need to conduct new solid waste characterization studies. If a new study is necessary, it need only include data on the disposed waste stream, not on materials diverted through recycling, waste prevention, and composting.  Jurisdictions may now conduct targeted studies on certain parts of the waste stream, and don't need to characterize the whole waste stream.

The California Integrated Waste Management Board developed a new method to conduct studies for local planning. This is the Uniform Waste Disposal Characterization Method. California jurisdictions are required to use this method only under two circumstances:

1. If a jurisdiction does not meet the 25 percent or 50 percent diversion goal, the Board may direct it to conduct a waste characterization study, and if so, the jurisdiction must use this method.
2. If a jurisdiction revises its SRRE, and includes new waste characterization data in the revision, it must use this method to collect data to be included in the revision.

Guidelines for employing this method are available from the Board by contacting the staff listed at the bottom of this page. A comprehensive user's guide is in development. A detailed outline of the method is also available.

A brief word about "generation" versus "generator." The term "generation" means all waste created within a jurisdiction, both that which is disposed and that which is diverted. "Generator" means a person or business that creates the waste.

Jurisdictions may choose to conduct studies for their own purposes, and may not intend to submit the study as part of required planning documents. In this case, any data collection method may be used. The Board's method may be helpful in designing these studies, however.

Last updated: November 01, 2007