March 29, 2001, Diamond Bar, California
Sponsored by the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts and the City of Los Angeles
Produced by the Southern California Council on Environment and Development (SCCED)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Commercial Sector Recycling – Jon Root, Eco Telesis (310-575-3934): I will be talking about five examples of commercial sector recycling programs for small and medium businesses in Central Contra Costa County and the Cities of Laguna Beach, Lompoc, Santa Monica, and Ventura. The Appendix provides details and a contact name for more information.

C&D Recycling – Kelly Ingalls, CMRA (818-548-8996): C&D recycling has improved with new processing facilities as well as new markets for gypsum drywall and carpets. I will also talk about the options for municipal policies and ordinances to ensure contractors recycle C&D materials.

Multi-Family Recycling – Michael McCartney, QLM Consulting (888-692-9292): We want to share information on public outreach, site optimization, collection options, etc. We have put up on the Internet over 60 pages of materials, including kits for managers, residents, haulers, etc., which can be downloaded from www.sacgreenteam.com.

Organics Recycling – Roger Vander Wende, Community Recycling (818-767-1203): In most cities there are a lot of organics left to recycle. For example, 2% of waste is street sweepings, which can be recycled with no change in operations. In mixed C&D, 15% is organics. Our supermarket compost program started with 28 stores in 1974, now it encompasses 1100 stores.

Pay-as-You-Throw – Cynthia Vant Hul, City of Claremont (909-39-5431): Claremont has adopted market incentives, using a variable can rate (VCR) in which residents pay more if they throw away more. We charge for the size and number of cans at the curb. The benefits have included a greater public awareness of environmental issues as well as reduced trash (our residential diversion rate has increased from 26% to 62%).

Procurement – Brian Johnson, City of Santa Monica (310-458-8228) and Manuel Jaquez, City of Los Angeles (213-847-1434): Santa Monica evaluates all goods and services the city purchases, requiring that we buy environmentally preferable products, whenever possible. The results have included improved cleanliness as well as less employee sick days. The City of Los Angeles purchased $16.8 million of recycled products in 29 product categories in FY 1997-8.

Electronics Recycling – Wayne Omokawa, City of Los Angeles (213-473-8226) and Gerald Kapuscik, County of Ventura (805-648-9241): We need to look at where all types of electronics go at the end of their life. The problem is that all computer monitors and televisions contain five pounds of lead in the cathode ray tube (CRT), and thus are subject to California's hazardous waste regulations.

Keynote Address – Senator David Roberti, CIWMB Boardmember (916-341-6038): Jurisdictions that do not make 50% diversion may petition for an extension through January 1, 2006, if the Board determines they are making a "good faith effort."

WELCOME

Kathleen Gildred, SCCED (310-455-1603): We will start with brief presentations on the different topic areas. Then you will have a chance to do more dialog at the tables with the people who have experience in each topic, so you can get a picture of what is working in the different areas. There are a lot of good ideas that can help you meet CIWMB requirements for a "good faith effort."

PRESENTATIONS

Commercial Sector Recycling

Jon Root, Eco Telesis (310-575-3934):

It has been 12 years since the passage of AB 939 and we can see great accomplishments. Many diversion programs have been implemented. In 1990, only 17% of waste was being diverted from landfills statewide, but now it is up to 42%.

I will be talking in our breakout session about five examples of commercial sector recycling programs for small and medium-sized businesses in Central Contra Costa County, and the Cities of Laguna Beach, Lompoc, Santa Monica, and Ventura. Each of them have set up the infrastructure to promote the programs and do recycling. These 5 programs divert a total of 14,000 tons of recyclables annually.

Rather than wait for businesses to sign up, Contra Costa County distributed free recycling containers to small businesses (less than two cubic yards per week). As a result, 1,000 of the 1,200 eligible businesses are participating.

All programs are driven by the jurisdiction, which found the type of services they wanted and put together the infrastructure they needed. It is important for recycling coordinators to be leading the way on developing these programs. Don't turn it over to the hauler or consultant, because it is the responsibility of the jurisdiction to ensure the program is implemented.

C&D Recycling

Kelly Ingalls, Construction Materials Recycling Association of Southern California (CMRA) (818-548-8996):

The state of the art of C&D recycling has improved with new processing facilities. There are now plants in underserved areas, such as Wilmington, El Segundo, etc. The markets for crushed miscellaneous base (CMB) are strong, but prices are volatile for scrap metal, and especially for wood and brick. There are new markets for recycling gypsum drywall, and recycling carpets through Evergreen and others.

CMRA is an association of stakeholders to support processes and technologies for recycling C&D and markets for recycled materials. We also monitor legislation and public polices that affect the C&D industry.

We have a paper that describes the local policy options, plus a set of actual ordinances from a variety of cities. I can send you a copy on request. There is a lot of this information on the CIWMB website. The issue is tailoring the ordinance to make sure it works for your municipality.

Multi-Family Recycling

Michael McCartney, QLM Consulting (888-692-9292):

Often it seems multi-family recycling is what you do last, because it is so labor intensive, but diversion rates in multi-family communities can exceed 25% because, in addition to the curbside recycling mix, the community is an excellent source for corrugated cardboard, green waste, and a wide variety of reusable items. We have seen mature programs in place yielding diversion rates exceeding 40%.

We want to share information on our experience in public outreach, site optimization, collection options, what can be done to overcome the barriers. We have put up on the Internet over 60 pages of materials, including kits for managers, residents, haulers, etc., which can be downloaded from www.sacgreenteam.com.

Organics Recycling

Roger Vander Wende, Community Recycling (818-767-1203):

Our supermarket compost program started with 28 stores in 1994, now it encompasses supermarkets throughout California and Nevada. We calculate that we have diverted 14,000 trash truck loads from landfills. We now include Vons, Ralph's, Food4Less, Save Mart and Safeway. Supermarket compost is used on 20,000 acres of California farmland.

In most cities there are still a lot of organics left to recycle. For example, 2% of waste is street sweepings, which can be recycled with no change in operations, you just need a firm that can handle it. In mixed C&D, 15% is organics. We recommend prevention first, then diversion to animal feed, with composting as final step for organics. The main barriers seem to be cost, education, and time.

Pay-as-You-Throw (VCR)

Cynthia Vant Hul, City of Claremont (909-39-5431):

Many communities have found it difficult to do recycling economically. In 1997 Claremont adopted market incentives, using instead of a fixed rate, a variable can rate (VCR), or "pay-as-you-throw," in which residents pay more if they throw away more. We charge for the size and number of cans at the curb. The benefits have included a greater public awareness of environmental issues as well as reduced trash (our residential diversion rate has increased from 26% to 62%).

We provided a choice of 40, 64, or 90-gallon trash containers, plus 90-gallon green and blue cans. We found 87% use the 64-gallon trash containers. The rates are $16.46 per month for a 40-gallon container, $19.67 for 64 and $25.07 for 90-gallon. Our rates include two free bulk item pickups per year.

Procurement

Brian Johnson, City of Santa Monica (310-458-8228):

In the early 1990s Santa Monica made the connection between waste and purchasing. Through the Sustainable Cities program, we looked at procurement policies. We decided to evaluate all the goods and services the city purchases, and require that we buy environmentally preferable products, whenever possible.

Environmentally preferable purchasing is a collaborative effort that needs the engagement of many different agencies in the city. In Santa Monica the Risk Management Division is involved in assessing all cleaning products. When we found non-toxic cleaners lower the numbers of sick days, both the Custodial Department and City Manager got interested.

Manuel Jaquez, City of Los Angeles (213-847-1434):

The City of Los Angeles has purchased $16.8 million of recycled products in 29 product categories in FY 1997-8, or a combined total of $42.8 million from 1994 to 1999. Procurement starts with the purchasing policy, but needs cooperation between the buyer, users and seller. We need to look at the cradle to grave experience.

Electronics Recycling

Wayne Omokawa, City of Los Angeles (213-473-8226) and Gerald Kapuscik, County of Ventura (805-648-9241):

The City of Los Angeles just started electronics recycling in mid-2000. We need to address where all types of electronics as well as computers go at the end of their life. The problem is that all computer monitors and televisions contain about five pounds of lead in the cathode ray tube (CRT), and thus are subject to California's hazardous waste regulations. Californians are expected to dispose of approximately 30 million CRTs in the next several years.

Gerald Kapuscik: Think globally, act locally. We have had success both from special collection events and drop off at existing recycling locations. We recommend: experiment, be flexible; focus on producer responsibility; think out of the box. Ventura has collected 44 tons of computers and electronics.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Senator David Roberti, CIWMB Boardmember (916-341-6038):

I appreciate the efforts of the Southern California Council on Environment and Development throughout the years providing forums to help everybody respond to the challenges of AB 939.

Since 1990 California has diverted 40 million tons of what was once garbage. From a statewide perspective, California has reached 42% diversion in 2000. Although still short of the 50 percent goal, diversion is on the increase and has risen 9% since 1998.

About 500 local jurisdictions will be submitting annual reports to the Board by August 1 of this year. We're estimating that 150 – 200 jurisdictions will reach 50 percent diversion. Those that do not may petition for an extension through January 1, 2006, if the Board determines they are making a "good faith effort."

In order to find evidence of "good faith efforts," we will evaluate both the diversion numbers and the extent of your program implementation in light of each jurisdiction's unique situation. Disposal reporting issues, access to markets, the degree to which you've purchased recycled-content products, and how you've tried to make the system work will all go into our consideration.

So, what happens after 2000? SB 2202 clarifies that AB 939 extends beyond 2000, and that cities and counties must divert 50 percent of all solid waste on and after 2000. Therefore, if you have reached 50% – keep up the good work! If not — let Board staff help you – you are still going to have to get there.

Waste reduction and recycling lowers the overall disposal cost by California manufacturers, leading to greater efficiency and helping them become more competitive in the state and global markets. But even more importantly, protection of our natural resources should be a high priority for all of us as custodians of the land we live on, alongside the need to ensure that resources will be available for future generations.

APPENDIX: Commercial Sector Recycling Case Studies

Central Contra Costa County

Starting in July 1999, the Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority (SWA) began providing small businesses with weekly collection of recyclable materials. There are currently 1,000 businesses participating in the program out of a potential 1,200 (84% participation). Over 1,600 tons/year of recyclables are diverted through this program (133 tons/month), with a contamination rate of five percent. For More Information Contact: Heather Abrams, (925) 906-1804, [email protected].

City of Laguna Beach

Beginning in 1992 and expanded in 1998, the City of Laguna Beach provides mixed recyclables collection to commercial businesses on a voluntary basis. There are nearly 300 businesses participating in the commercial recycling program, with approximately 780 tons/year of recyclables collected (65 tons/month). For More Information Contact: Bernadette McCusker, Department of Public Works, City of Laguna Beach, (949) 497-0323.

City of Lompoc

Since 1995, the City of Lompoc has provided commercial businesses with cardboard collection on a voluntary basis. The program currently services 225 businesses and collects 758 tons/year of cardboard. Lompoc also operates its own landfill, and has instituted several recycling programs at the landfill. For More Information Contact: Claudia Stine, Solid Waste Superintendent, City of Lompoc, (805) 875-8023.

City of Santa Monica

Since December 1994, the City of Santa Monica has provided mixed paper collection to commercial businesses on a voluntary basis. The contractor provides service at 400 locations — 300 bins in commercial areas, 100 bins in multi-family neighborhoods. The program collects 4,200 tons/year of recyclable materials (350 tons/month). For More Information Contact: Wes Thompson, Solid Waste Supervisor, City of Santa Monica, (310) 458-8546.

City of Ventura

Starting in March 2000, the City of Ventura launched its Unicycle Program for commercial businesses, using one bin for trash and recyclables. The Unicycle Program collects 6,300 tons/year of recyclable materials (525 tons/month). For More Information Contact: Ray Olson, Environmental Services Specialist, City of Ventura, (805) 652-4525.