Title
Adopt a Resolution supporting the establishment of a statewide Commission on Recycling Markets to address China's trade import policies restricting recyclable materials and its impact on California's compliance with waste diversion mandates.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Adopt a Resolution supporting the establishment of a statewide Commission on Recycling Markets to address China's trade import policies restricting recyclable materials and its impact on California's compliance with waste diversion mandates.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
California's solid waste and recycling industry has relied heavily on the ability to export recyclable materials to China and has been the key component of California's recycling infrastructure. Recent changes to China's trade import policies significantly impact the State's solid waste and recycling industry by restricting imports of recyclable materials. These policy changes, commonly referred to as "National Sword", will ultimately close importing of scrap materials from California by 2020. Results of these changes are already being demonstrated through the piling up of recyclable waste and materials in waste facilities, a slowdown in waste processing of other materials significantly increasing the potential for public health risks and the potential for increased fines and penalties due to the accumulation of materials.
"National Sword" will disrupt the recyclable market and will have a direct impact on the state's local governments and the ability to meet state mandated reduction goals. Additionally, Senate Bill 1383 establishes a fifty percent (50%) reduction in the level of statewide disposal of organic waste by 2020 and a seventy-five (75%) reduction by 2025. The infrastructure required to implement this law is expected to cost billions, and because of China's policy changes, local government resource recovery and waste management operations are facing several substantial...
Click here for full text