Motor Oil and Tires and Plastic, Oh My!
Over at the CAW office we’ve been busy creating and improving California policies that will make progressive changes in the world of waste and recycling. Here are the bills that we have been working hard to get to the finish line, and they are all one step away from going to the governor’s desk.
SB 778: Motor Oil Change Intervals- Busting the 3,000 Mile Myth
Authored by Senator Allen, this bill requires all oil change shops to follow the automakers’ suggested drain interval when recommending the customer’s next oil change.
• Why you should care: Many service shops still tell customers to come back every 3,000 miles for their next oil change, but oil technology has advanced over the last 30 years making the majority of cars capable of lasting 7,500-10,000 miles. This bill ensures all drivers receive accurate information to avoid needless oil changes, save money, and reduce oil waste.
• How you can help us: This bill is headed to the Assembly floor for the final vote before going to the governor’s desk. Contact your Assemblymember and ask for their vote!
AB 1239: Tire Recycling Incentive Program
Authored by Assemblymember Gordon, this bill will increase the state tire fee by no more than $1 to establish a Tire Recycling Incentive Program to provide incentives to end-users of recycled tires and manufacturers who make consumer products using recycled tires
• Why you should care: Californians generate 42 million passenger tires every single year. Illegally dumped tires pose a significant cost to local governments and the state and the recycling rate has remained largely stagnant.
• How you can help us: This bill is headed to the Senate floor for the final vote before going to the governor’s desk. Contact your Senator and ask for their vote!
AB 1419: Old TV & Computer Monitor Recycling (CRT Panel Glass)
Authored by Assemblymember Eggman, this bill will create new recycling paths for Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) panel glass, which can be found in older bulky TV sets and computer monitors
• Why you should care: New LCD and LED technology for TVs and monitors have taken over and demand for old CRT devices. E-waste recyclers currently have limited options for disposal of CRT, causing some recyclers to go out of business.
• How you can help us: This bill is headed to the Senate floor for the final vote before going to the governor’s desk. Contact your Senator and ask for their vote!
AB 2530: Reporting of Recycled Content Use in Plastic Bottles
Authored by Assemblymember Gordon, this bill will require manufacturers of beverages sold in plastic bottles, subject to CRV, to report to CalRecycle the amount of post-consumer recycled plastic and virgin plastic that they used in the past year.
• Why you should care: The drastic drop in oil prices has lowered demand and price for California-generated recycled materials, and has many manufacturers reconsidering their commitments to using recycled content.
• How you can help us: This bill is headed to the Senate floor for the final vote before going to the governor’s desk. Contact your Senator and ask for their vote!
AB 1005: Extend Program to Incentivize Plastic Recycling
Authored by Assemblymember Gordon, this bill will extend California’s successful Plastic Market Development (PMD) program an additional year, which encourages the use of California generated recycled beverage container material, create and maintain jobs in California, and close the loop on plastic beverage container recycling.
• Why you should care: While the PMD program has succeeded in increasing processing and use of recycled plastic in-state, California continues to export significant quantities of plastic collected for recycling. In addition to waste diversion and job creation/retention, there are environmental benefits from using recycled material.
• How you can help us: This bill is headed to the Senate floor for the final vote before going to the governor’s desk. Contact your Senator and ask for their vote!
