Oct. 18, 2018

Organic Waste Recycling Laws Update

Since the passage of SB 1383 (Chapter 395, Statutes of 2016) Cal Recycle has been working with stakeholders, including CSAC, to design statewide regulations that implement California’s new organics waste diversion and recycling law. Specifically, SB 1383 established methane emission reduction targets in a statewide effort to reduce short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP) in various sectors of California’s economy, including the reduction of methane emissions from the landfilled disposal of organic waste. The law establishes targets to achieve a 50 percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2020 and a 75 percent reduction by 2025. The law grants Cal Recycle the regulatory authority to mandate organic waste disposal reduction targets and establishes an additional target that not less than 20 percent of currently disposed edible food is recovered for human consumption by 2025.

CSAC has been working closely with Cal Recycle’s SB 1383 implementation team in the development of these regulations and has provided detailed comments through an informal rulemaking process in conjunction with members of the Resource Recovery & Waste Management Committee of the County Engineers Association of California (CEAC). It is expected that Cal Recycle will begin the formal rulemaking process within the next few months.

In addition to SB 1383, Cal Recycle is also implementing AB 1826 (Chapter 727, Statutes of 2014) which mandates commercial organics waste recycling for businesses generating over a certain amount of solid waste. The law includes a discretionary trigger for Cal Recycle to expand the scope of the law if certain disposal targets are not met by 2020. This expansion could require businesses or multifamily residential dwellings that generate over 2 cubic yards of solid waste to acquire an organic waste recycling service program.

On Tuesday, at Cal Recycle’s Monthly Public Meeting, staff presented a proposed course of action that will help determine whether or not to expand AB 1826. Read the memo on the proposed course of action here. Staff has proposed this course of action early to acquire feedback and input from stakeholders and is aiming to implement any potential expansion of the program in early 2020.

SB 212: Medicine and Needle Disposal In California Webinar

The California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC) & National Stewardship Action Council (NSAC) will host a joint webinar on October 23 at 9 AM to discuss SB 212 with an introduction by the law’s author State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson. CSAC supported SB 212 as one of the first laws in the nation requiring producers of medications and sharps to design, operate and fund a safe and convenient collection program for both home generated needles and medications. Learn about what was behind passing SB 212, its precedent-setting elements, how the lessons can be applied elsewhere and for other products, and how NSAC can provide support nationally to pass similar legislation in other cities, counties and states in the US. If you are interested in the webinar please register here.

CAL FIRE Opens Fire Prevention Grant Applications

Cal Fire has opened up an application period for Fire Prevention Grants. Applications are due by December 19, 2018. Through the California Climate Investments (CCI) Fire Prevention Grant Program, CAL FIRE aims to reduce the risk of wildland fires to habitable structures and communities, while maximizing carbon sequestration in healthy wildland habitat and minimizing the uncontrolled release of emissions emitted by wildfires. Qualifying projects and activities include those related to hazardous fuel reduction and removal of dead, dying, or diseased trees, fire prevention planning, and fire prevention education. Please visit the fire prevention grant webpage for information on how to apply.