California Integrated Waste Management Board just announced the state has reached an unprecedented 58 percent waste diversion rate - diverting 54 million tons of trash for reuse and recycling.

By finding higher and better uses for our daily discarded materials, California has created a mainstream industry that accounts for 85,000 jobs, generates $4 billion in salaries and wages, and produces $10 billion worth of goods and services annually. The environmental impacts of recycling are astounding. Each year recycling saves enough energy to power 1.4 million California homes, and reduces water pollution by 27,047 tons.

Recycling also saves 14 million trees and helps to reduce air pollution by 165,142 tons. All of these efforts are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an amount equal to taking 3.8 million passenger cars off the highway.

The official 58 percent statewide diversion rate surpasses a legislatively imposed mandate of 50 percent waste diversion and places the state at the forefront of national efforts to reduce and recycle our trash.

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CAW and Recycling: 

•  AB 939 (Sher)- established 50% diversion goal by 2000.
• CAW's 10 Point Plan for Protecting Our Environment and Creating Green Jobs --includes goal of "Zero Waste California", and assigning California Integrated Waste Management Board responsibility for achieving 75% waste reduction, recycling and composting by 2020.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger this week unveiled his 2009-10 budget proposal for the state. Among a set of updated recommendations taken from the 2004 California Performance Review was the following language:

"...the Administration will submit the following legislative proposals to further improve governmental efficiency:...consolidation or realignment of recycling and cleanup, spill prevention and pollution programs, including elimination of the Integrated Waste Management Board..."

The 6 member California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) oversees much of California's nation-leading waste reduction and recycling policy, including the 50% waste reduction mandate on local agencies; e-waste recycling incentive program; as well as oversight of the state's solid waste disposal system.

Other elements of recycling and pollution prevention are administered separately by the Department of Conservation and the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).

Last month Governor Schwarzenegger appointed former State Senator Carol Migden to the CIWMB.

Criticism of the CIWMB appointees has been a part of the political theatre of Sacramento for nearly two decades. In 1989, then Governor George Deukmejian signed AB 939 (Sher) into law which established the state's 50% recycling mandate and reformed the previously part-time, waste industry dominated board into it's current configuration. Last minute amendments by Deukmejian assured that the Governor could appoint his outgoing Chief of Staff (Mike Frost) and Director of the Department of Finance (Jesse Huff) to the board without having to face Senate Confirmation.

According to the California Integrated Waste Management Board, the average California resident generates 2.49 lbs of trash per day, adding up to nearly half a ton per person, per year.  

Imagine the environmental benefits that we could gain from reducing our daily garbage output by just 1 lb each day. That would mean a reduction of a 1/4 of a ton per year, equivalent to the average weight of an adult male Yosemite black bear.

Take Dave Chameides for example: He wanted to learn how he could cut down on waste, so he pledged and succeeded in going through a whole year without throwing away his trash. Since January 1st, 2008, he has kept all his garbage and recyclables in his basement, using simple yet creative techniques to minimize his garbage generation.   Dave has been featured in NY Times and more recently, NPR for his success. He also invites you to take a part in the challenge for just a week to see how you do.

This new year, let's make a resolution to reduce the amount of waste we generate each day. Set a goal and please share your success stories by emailing us. We will post the best and most creative ones on our website.

Beginning Jan. 1, Oregon will join California, Washington and Maine in offering  free and convenient electronics recycling.  Oregon passed the electronics recycling law in 2007, and it will cover computers, monitors and TVs.

Kathy Kiwala, head of the state program called Oregon E-Cycles, states: 

"The law is a paradigm shift. When we declare it as a recyclable, typically it is the responsibility of local government and the hauler. This law says the manufacturer of products has responsibility for those products throughout the whole process." 

Manufacturers either pay their portion of a state-run program or set up their own recycling programs. About 180 manufacturers plan to pay into the state-run program, and three have set up their own programs.

The state-run program, which will cost about $1.5 million this first year, collects money from manufacturers based on how many of their products are being recycled. Retailers will be required to sell only those brands registered through the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality — manufacturers also pay a registration fee.

Recyclers say they hope that requiring manufacturers to pay for recycling will encourage product redesign that makes it easier to recycle products.

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CAW and E-waste Recycling: