Title
Adopt a resolution that Monterey County employees will endeavor to reduce, reuse, and recycle as a standard practice in conformity with the State of California's vision of a zero-waste state.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Adopt a resolution that Monterey County employees will endeavor to reduce, reuse, and recycle as a standard practice in conformity with the State of California's vision of a zero-waste state.
SUMMARY:
The Montery County Health Department's Environmental Health Bureau is responsible for enforcing State mandates on waste diversion. As such, the County seeks to lead the way in responsible and wise use of resources.
DISCUSSION:
The California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989 (AB 939), Mandatory Commercial Recycling (AB 341, 2011, Chesbro. Solid waste: diversion), Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling (AB 1826, 2014, Chesbro. Solid waste: organic waste), The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32) and other laws establish certain waste diversion goals for the State of California.
These laws mandate increasing diversion of organics from generators that produce fewer amounts of organic material over time. Currently businesses that generate four cubic yards of organic waste shall have organics recycling service; by 2019 businesses that generate four cubic yards of commercial waste must have this service. In addition, by 2020 the Statewide mandate for all solid waste is a 75% recycling, composting, or source reduction rate. In practical terms this means only 25% of waste should be landfilled. The Alternative Energy and Environment Committee of the Board of Supervisors has been briefed on these mandates and has provided direction for staff to frame the mandate at the County level.
The July 27, 2017 Alternative Energy and Environment Committee of the Board of Supervisors received a draft resolution on Monterey County employee waste diversion and recycling in connection with ...
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