California Law Promoting School Recycling Recognizes First School

California Senator Tom Torlakson (Democrat, Antioch) joined Winston Hickox, secretary for the environment, and Linda Moulton-Patterson, chair of the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) to recognize Concord High School’s efforts in compliance with a new law promoting school recycling and to highlight state efforts in relation to the law.

Torlakson’s Senate Bill 373, which was singed into law by Governor Gray Davis in late 2001, requires the integration of environmental education with standards-based science classroom curriculum began implementation this year.

The law requires incorporation of environmental concepts into the California State Science Framework for grades K through 12. The law also seeks to increase recycling programs within school campuses statewide and requires Cal/EPA and the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) to help districts achieve the goal.

The new law complements California’s Integrated Waste Management Act of 1898 that requires cities, counties and regional agencies to divert 50 percent of their solid waste from landfills.

Torlakson recognized Concord High School for its commitment to a student-run program recycling paper, aluminum and plastic bottles. Approximately 40 students participate in the project, which collects materials from classrooms and other campus locations. The school’s specialized Communication and Human Services Academy offers the program. Students receive community service credit for participating.

The Waste Board, the State Board of Education and the California State Department of Education developed the environmental concepts that have been integrated into the California State Science Framework. In addition, these agencies are required to implement a unified education strategy so that state agencies approach education on the environment in a systematic fashion, coordination resources and avoiding duplicate efforts.

As a result of the law, school districts will now have access to online waste reduction resources developed for them by the CIWMB. Information is available at www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Schools/WasteReduce/.

The law also establishes a $1.5 million grant program to assist county offices of education, school districts and schools to promote integrated waste management into teaching and on-site waste reduction practices.

In addition, the CIWMB must evaluate school waste reduction and recycling programs statewide by January 1, 2004. At that time, if less than 75 percent of schools in California have implemented waste reduction programs, the board is charged with recommending statutory changes that may be needed to require schools to put programs in place.