The Recycling Advocate - March 29, 2009 -Volume 14, Number 2


  

The Recycling Advocate - March 29, 2009 -Volume 14, Number 2

The 2009 Legislative Session is upon us. Last Friday's Legislative deadline saw the introduction of more than 30 key waste reduction and recycling bills.  Once again, it's another ambitious year with new bills covering a spectrum of issues from plastic bag reduction, e-waste and hazardous waste, to pharmaceutical producer responsibility proposals and increasing California's waste reduction and recycling mandate to 75%.

With the state budget passed early this year, there is more time to focus on waste reduction and environmental protection.  Despite the current economy, we need to make recycling and environmental stewardship key priorities because they will stimulate green job creation.

Below is a short summary and links to key bills by program area that are new for this session: 

CAW Priority Legislation

Bills We Support: 

Would set a statewide diversion goal of 75% and a local diversion goal of 60%. It would also require commercial recycling and increase the landfill tip fee to help fund local recycling programs.

Provides a residential recycling opportunity for more than 7.1 million Californians residing in more than 2.4 million multifamily dwelling units.

Requires the California Integrated Waste Management Board to adopt policies, programs, and incentives to increase statewide waste diversion to 75%.

Strengthens California's Recycling Law ("CRV") by expanding the scope of covered containers and by creating more green recycling jobs.

Would direct the Public Utilities Commission to only
utilize Public Goods Charge funds to subsidize fluorescent manufacturers and distributors for lamps that meet the Energy Star version 4.0 qualification on mercury standards and lamp life as well as implement a fluorescent lamp recycling program.

Would implement an Extended Producer Responsibility program
in California that would require manufacturers increase the recyclability, and recycling, of their products, as well as reduce toxicity.

Requires that consumers pay a $0.25 fee for single-use bags
distributed at large grocery stores, pharmacies and convenience stores.

Requires that consumers pay a $0.25 fee for single-use bags
distributed at large grocery stores, pharmacies and convenience stores.

Bans the use of expanded polystyrene food packaging as well
as othe non-recyclable food packaging.

Allows the Integrated Waste Management Board to develop a
program to provide incentives to manufacturers of rerefined oil, and to develop additional capacity for the rerefining of used oil.

 

Bills We Oppose:

Would abolish the California Integrated Waste Management Board.

Would prohibit local governments from banning single-use
carryout bags.

AB 222 currently addresses biofuels, but proposed amendments to this bill have been circulated which would alter state law to provide diversion credit for conversion technologies.

 

Recycling News

Feb 27 - Governor Reappoints Margo Reid Brown to the CIWMB
Feb 26 - Environmentalists Urge Governor to Reappoint Environmental Protection Rep
Feb 23 - Budget Fix Borrows $99.4 million from Bottle Bill

 

Please Help Support Californians Against Waste - DONATE NOW! 

The Recycling Advocate is published at least twice monthly during the legislative session by the environmental group Californians Against Waste.

 

 

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