Marin County Achieves 71 Percent Waste Diversion

Marin County Achieves 71 Percent Waste Diversion

SACRAMENTO: Marin County diverted 71 percent of its waste in 2000, the highest countywide waste diversion rate in the state, according to the California Integrated Waste Management Board. However, two other Bay Area jurisdictions — Fairfield in Solano County and Pacifica in San Mateo County — will need more time to meet California's 50 percent waste diversion law.

"Marin County, its cities, citizens, and all those involved in diversion efforts there have set a high mark that others will try to reach," said Waste Board Chair Linda Moulton-Patterson. "Cities and counties throughout California continue to make progress in diverting their recyclable wastes from landfills, as well as reducing the amount of waste they produce."

In approving the Marin County Hazardous and Solid Waste Joint Powers Authority's (JPA) year 2000 diversion rate, the Waste Board noted that the JPA has adequately implemented its source reduction, recycling, composting, and public education and information programs, achieving outstanding waste diversion for its efforts. The Marin JPA is responsible for programs in all 11 incorporated cities as well as the incorporated portions of Marin County.

Both Fairfield and Pacifica have demonstrated to the Waste Board that they are continuing to make strides in diverting solid waste from landfills. Because of this progress, the Board approved their requests for time extensions, through December 31, 2003. Fairfield diverted 46 percent of its wastes in 2000; Pacifica diverted 22 percent.

So far, the Waste Board has determined that 219 jurisdictions met the requirements of the diversion law in 2000, either by reaching or exceeding the 50 percent diversion rate, or by making a Good Faith Effort to reach the goal. A list of these jurisdictions is available at www.ciwmb.ca.gov/PressRoom/Resources/DivRates.htm. There are 445 reporting jurisdictions in all. Over the next several months, the Board will continue to review and consider the diversion efforts of those jurisdictions that are not yet approved.

Public Resources Code section 41780, enacted by AB 939 (Sher) — the Integrated Waste Management Act (Chapter 1095, Statutes of 1989) — requires every city and county in the state to divert from landfill at least 50 percent of the waste generated within their jurisdiction in 2000. The Legislature amended this statute in 2000, requiring jurisdictions to sustain their waste diversion efforts into the future.

To achieve their high diversion rates, jurisdictions have tailored new waste handling infrastructures from options that include curbside recycling, material recovery facilities and composting operations that are supported by comprehensive waste prevention and public education efforts. Information about individual city and county programs is available on the Waste Board's local government Web site at www.ciwmb.ca.gov/LGTools/PARIS/jurpgmsu.asp. Details about the Marin JPA’s programs can be obtained from Jeff Rawles, with the Marin County Department of Public Works, at (415) 499-6548.

Jurisdictions that did not meet the 50 percent diversion requirement in 2000 may petition the Board for one or more time extensions, for a maximum of five years. No single extension can be for more than three years, and no extension may be effective beyond January 1, 2006. At its meeting, the Board granted time extensions to 15 jurisdictions, including Fairfield and Pacifica. One hundred extensions have been approved to date.

Alternatively, the Board can determine that a jurisdiction's "good faith efforts" to implement comprehensive diversion programs have satisfied the requirement even if diversion levels are below 50 percent. A jurisdiction that does not meet the 50 percent diversion requirement and does not receive a time extension, a "good faith effort" finding, or an alternative diversion goal will be placed on a compliance order and could be subject to fines. The Board can issue fines of up to $10,000 a day for noncompliance.

The six-member California Integrated Waste Management Board is responsible for protecting public health and safety and the environment through management of the estimated 68 million tons of solid waste generated in California each year. The Board works in partnership with local government, industry, and the public to reduce solid waste disposal and ensure environmentally safe landfills. California now diverts 42 percent of its solid waste away from disposal.

The Waste Board is one of six boards, departments, and offices within the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA).

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