<B>California Waste Diversion Up 51 Percent in Last Two Years</B>

A recent survey by the California Integrated Waste Management Board finds that waste diversion levels have climbed by 51 percent between 1998 and last year.

A total of 28 million tons were diverted from landfills last year, an increase from the 9.5 million tons diverted in 1998.

In 1989, the California’s ambitious AB 939 sought to reduce the amount of solid waste going to landfills by 50 percent in 2000.

The Waste Board estimates the 2000 statewide diversion rate at 42 percent, well above the national rate, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency pegged at 28 percent for 1999. California's 1999 statewide rate was 37 percent.

Local governments have worked diligently with citizens and the business community to significantly increase their recycling, reuse and waste prevention practices in response to AB 939. Programs ranging from curbside pickups and drop-off centers to green waste collection, municipal composting, and more are responsible for waste reduction successes throughout the state.