California Says It Has Exceeded State Diversion Goal

The California Integrated Waste Management Board is reporting that the statewide diversion rate for 2006 was 54 percent, 2 percent higher than the estimates for the previous year. The figures for last year means the state has surpassed the 50 percent statewide diversion rate goal already set.

Last year California residents generated more than 92.2 million tons of solid municipal wastes, disposed of about 42.2 million tons and diverted an estimated 50.1 million tons.

Each year the CIWMB’s Sustainability Program reports on statewide progress toward diversion goals of the Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989. This Act charged the Board with implementing far-reaching provisions and moving cities and counties-and ultimately the state, itself-to higher waste diversion levels. In 1990, California diverted just 10 percent of its waste stream, causing consternation in some circles as to the remaining landfill capacity needed to meet disposal requirements.

Further, in response to increased construction activity in the state, the CIWMB and various jurisdictions have increased efforts to divert construction materials. New construction and demolition diversion programs have been implemented and more are in the planning stage. More green waste and single-stream recyclables diversion programs may also have contributed to this increase in diversion.