AB 737 (Chesbro, 2009-10) - Solid Waste Diversion
Summary.
AB 737 would expand recycling to every multi-family dwelling and commercial business in California and direct the state come up with a plan to reach a 75% diversion rate.
Position and Status.
CAW Supports. AB 737 was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger Sep 28. View the veto message. It previously passed the policy and fiscal committees in the Assembly and Senate.
Take ACTION! Fax a support letter to the Governor, or send an email.
Description.
AB 737 (by Assembly Member Wesley Chesbro) is a landmark piece of legislation that will move California forward from landfilling to waste reduction, recycling, and composting, by creating a commercial recycling program. While local diversion efforts have largely focused on residential recycling, there is still a large untapped recycling opportunity in the commercial sector, which comprises two-thirds of California’s waste stream. For example, California as a whole diverts 58% of its waste but large office buildings divert only 7%. More than half of the material disposed at these buildings consists of readily recyclable paper and cardboard. Other businesses also recycle at far lower rates than the rest of the state. Every day that these materials go to landfills represents a wasted opportunity to conserve our natural resources, reduce greenhouse gases, and create local green jobs. This bill finally expand recycling to the underserved apartment and business sectors.
In addition, this bill will build on the success of California's landmark 1989 recycling legislation (AB 939), which requires each city and county to cut their garbage in half by the year 2000, by requiring CalRecycle to develop a plan to increase statewide diversion to 75% by 2020.
CAW Staff Contacts.
Mark Murray (916) 443-5422
Assembly Member Wesley Chesbro
State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814
Supporters.
Californians Against Waste
Andersen, Bonnifield & Roscha
California League of Conservation Voters
California Refuse Recycling Council - Southern District
California Refuse Recycling Council - Northern District
California State Association of Counties
City of Oakland
CR&R Inc (Perris, CA)
East Bay Sanitary Co. (Contra Costa)
Inland Empire Disposal Association
League of California Cities
Los Angeles County Waste Management Association
Marin Sanitary Service
Napa Recycling & Waste Services
Palm Springs Disposal Services
Recology
Regional Council of Rural Counties
Republic Services
Sierra Club CA
Solid Waste Association of Orange County
Stockton Tri Industries (San Joaquin)
Stop Waste.org (Alameda County)
Varner Bros, Inc. (Bakersfield)
Waste Management
Westhoff Cone & Holmstedt (Walnut Creek)
Western Truck Center
Opposition:
California Association of Realtors (oppose-unless amended)
California Business Properties Association
California Chamber of Commerce
Integrated Waste Management Task Force
Los Angeles County Solid Waste Management Committee
The Thursday Group