Conducting a Diversion Study: A Guide for Local Jurisdictions

Preface

This diversion guide is a tool—not a policy document—to help jurisdictions properly identify changes in the waste stream since 1989. It will also allow jurisdictions to make adjustments in their diversion programs based on this information.

The California Integrated Waste Management Board (Board) recognizes that jurisdictions are unique in their makeup, with different demographics, waste streams, etc. Recognizing this uniqueness, the Board has created a new base-year reporting tool so base-year studies can be presented and evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The Board expects the following to be included in new base-year proposals:

• Diversion study data submitted to the Board must be properly documented and will require supporting documentation regarding existing programs that substantiate the proposed new base-year diversion rate.
• While some activities are easier to quantify—e.g., tonnage records—other activities may require estimation. Thus, these activities will require a higher degree of substantiation, including detailing the methodology, assumptions, and other characteristics.  They will also require a higher level of scrutiny by the Board.
• New base-year diversion rates must be representative of a jurisdiction’s diversion activities.
• Any source reduction activities identified should be explained in detail in the Board’s Base-Year Modification Certification sheet.

The Board has continually affirmed that compliance with the Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989 (AB 939, Sher, Chapter 1095, Statutes of 1989, as amended) involves both achievement of the diversion mandates and implementation of diversion programs.  The Board is committed to ensuring that local governments are implementing the diversion programs described in their Source Reduction and Recycling Elements and their Household Hazardous Waste Elements.  In upholding the intent of AB 939, the Board also is expecting jurisdictions to demonstrate real disposal reduction and not to simply quantify preexisting diversion activities to reach the 50 percent diversion mandate.

Table of contents

• Introduction
• What is Diversion?
• What is a Diversion Study?
• What are the Benefits of Conducting a Diversion Study?
• Key Steps in Conducting a Diversion Study
• Determine if a New Base Year is Needed
• Designing a Diversion Study
• Conducting a Diversion Study
• Analyzing Data and Calculating Diversion
• Preparing and Submitting a New Base Year Request

Appendices

• A: Business Waste Prevention and Recycling On-Site Survey Form (MS Word 2000, 28 KB)
• B: "Big Picture" Evaluation Checklist for Field Review
• C: Cover Letter for Recycling Form
• D: Recycling Form for Cities (MS Word 2000, 97 KB)
• E: Corporate Contact List
• F: Letter of Introduction for Survey Team
• G: Department of Conservation (Division of Recycling) Data Request Letter
• H: What Counts Toward Diversion?
• I: Weight Conversion Sources and Tables
• J: Determining the Number of Samples
• K: Jurisdiction Checklist for Base-Year Proposals
• L: Base-Year Modification Request Certification

Last updated: June 24, 2008