California Bill Looks to Increase C&D Recycling

A bill that aims to develop a cohesive approach to boost the recycling of construction and demolition waste, was re-submitted to the California Senate Committee on Environmental Quality.

The bill, read for the first time Feb. 8, was read for the second time and re-referred to the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality on April 18. A hearing on the bill was slated for April 22.

Under Senate Bill 1374, authored by Sheila Kuehl, (D-L.A.), the California Integrated Waste Management Board would be required to adopt a model ordinance by March 1, 2004 for diverting between 50-75 percent of the C&D waste materials from landfills.

Additionally, the CIWMB, according to the bill, “must consult with certain groups and obtain comments on a draft ordinance prior to adopting the model ordinance.

The bill also seeks to require the annual report by the CIWMB to include a summary of progress in diverting C&D waste, including information on implemented programs and ordinances.

According to Kuehl, material that would fall under the C&D definition would include concrete, asphalt, wood, drywall, metals, and other miscellaneous and composite materials. It is estimated these materials constitute as much as 28 percent of the total tonnage of the waste stream.

By mandating increased recycling of C&D materials, the state’s legislation requiring a 50 percent diversion rate would more easily be reached.

While earlier drafts of the bill required not only the state to adopt the model, but local governments would also be required to adopt a related ordinance by Sept. 1, 2005.

However, the local regulation component was stricken from the more recent bill. Additionally, the amendments requiring local governments to summarize progress in diverting C&D waste materials in their annual reports to the CIWMB, require the CIWMB to consider the adoption of an ordinance or program as a factor when determining whether to penalize a local government for failing to meet diversion requirements, and require the CIWMB to include additional information on its website.

Supporters of the bill include the Californians Against Waste, the Solid Waste Association of North America, and Waste Management.