Threats to Organics Recycling Programs

This page presents current and ongoing issues with the potential to impact California organics recycling programs and markets, and provides links to resources and background information on each topic.

Current Issues

Air Pollution Regulations. Many areas in California suffer from poor air quality. Local air quality management districts with jurisdiction over these areas are considering regulations to restrict air emissions from compost operations. Past regulation of composters was limited to diesel-powered equipment used on-site. For the first time, the new regulations attempt to limit emissions from the piles themselves. These regulations have the potential to jeopardize the existence of many compost facilities, especially larger operations. The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) is committed to ensuring that any air district considering such regulations has the best possible information about facilities, throughputs, and management practices.

Asian Citrus Psyllid. According to the Farm Bureau of San Diego County, the Asian Citrus Psyllid is an aphid-like insect that feeds on the leaves and stems of citrus trees and other citrus-like plants and can be a carrier of a deadly, bacterial tree disease called Huanglongbing, or “Citrus Greening Disease.” Recently the Asian Citrus Psyllid was found within blocks of the International border in Tijuana, Mexico. CIWMB staff is currently researching the issue and will post information as it becomes available.

Ongoing Issues

Clopyralid in Compost and Mulch. This site provides information relating to clopyralid, an herbicide used to control broadleaf weeds, especially thistles and clover. Clopyralid used on lawns was found to persist when the grass clippings were composted, threatening the use of compost in certain applications. Clopyralid is no longer registered for lawn use in the United States.

Sudden Oak Death. Since 1995, large numbers of oaks and tanoaks have been dying, mostly in the coastal counties of California, due to Sudden Oak Death (SOD). In recent years, the cause of the SOD has been identified as a new plant pathogen, Phytophthora ramorum. Many species of nursery stock are now known to be susceptible to SOD. In an effort to slow or prevent the spread of this plant pathogen, all commercial nurseries within California and organic processing facilities in the quarantined counties must follow specific regulatory procedures. Please contact your County Agricultural Commissioner prior to the movement of any California nursery stock (intra- or interstate shipments) or any plant material trimmings moved from the quarantined area. Composting is an effective sanitizing option for curbside-collected green material (see 2006 University of California, Berkeley [UCB] report in Adobe PDF format). (Background)

Bark Beetle Infestation. California's multi-year drought conditions have exacerbated the current bark beetle infestations, creating abnormally high tree mortality in Southern California's regional forests. Bark beetle infestations plagued well over a half-million acres in Southern California's regional forests by the spring of 2004. Bark beetle infestations in Northern California are also of concern because of the associated fire risk, but these infestations involve significantly less acreage. Removal of dead and dying trees in Southern California intensified with the receipt of federal grant funds in 2004.

Lerp Psyllid Infestation. California’s diverse trees and crops are continually open to attack by imported pests. Occasionally, the introduced insect or disease has a severe impact on one or more plant species such as the lerp psyllid relative to the red gum eucalyptus. Vast numbers of eucalyptus trees have been killed in Southern California because of heavy infestations of these small, sucking insects. Especially hard hit by the lerp psyllid are red gum trees in Los Angeles County where the insect was detected in 1998, as well as counties on the southern coast of California.

Caltrans and local governments are removing many of the dead trees because of the hazards they present to the general public. Biological controls are now being established to reduce the lerp psyllid populations and render the situation manageable. If you observe eucalyptus trees being chipped and the material piled nearby, rest assured that this is probably the best option for this pest situation.