Agenda

Return

C.114

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	John Kopchik, Director, Conservation & Development Department
Date:	February 12, 2019

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Resolution in Support of a Statewide Commission on Recycling Markets

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 02/12/2019

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Deidra Dingman (925)674-7825

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: February 12, 2019
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ADOPT Resolution No. 2019/34 in support of establishing a statewide commission on recycling markets.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Approval of the recommended resolution will not have a direct impact on County funds.

BACKGROUND:

Under the Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989 (AB 939), cities and counties were required to divert 50 percent of all solid waste out of the landfill by January 1, 2000 through source reduction, recycling, and composting activities. AB 341 was later passed establishing a statewide goal that not less than 75 percent of solid waste generated be source-reduced, recycled, or composted by the year 2020.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

Local governments have helped California make significant progress towards these goals over recent years. However, recent changes in China’s trade import policies have significantly disrupted California’s recycling industry by restricting foreign imports of recyclable materials and requiring reduced contamination levels in recycling streams. These policy changes, collectively referred to as “National Sword”, will ultimately close off Chinese and Asian markets to importation of California’s recyclables completely by 2020. These markets have served as the foundation for California’s recycling system as the export of recyclable materials is a key component of California’s recycling infrastructure. Significant market disruptions for recyclable materials have a direct impact on California’s local governments and our ability to meet state-mandated recycling goals. Since the change in China’s policy, materials are piling up in local waste facilities across the state with no place to go. This has caused slowdowns in waste processing of other materials, an increased risk to public health, and an increase in the likelihood of State fines and penalties.

In addition to these challenging goals, local governments across California will soon have to comply with new state regulations for organic waste processing and diversion. SB 1383 establishes targets to achieve a 50 percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2020 and a 75 percent reduction by 2025. Infrastructure required to implement these regulations is expected to cost billions of dollars. As a result, local government resource recovery and waste management operations are facing several significant infrastructure challenges over the next several years.

In order to help address this issue, the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) is urging counties to adopt a resolution supporting the creation of a statewide commission to address these significant recycling market challenges. The resolution calls for including representatives from local governments on the commission to help recommend solutions to our declining markets for recyclable materials. If approved, this resolution would be submitted to the Governor's Office to help bring attention to this critical issue and support CSAC's letter requesting the formation of this commission.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If the resolution is not approved, the County would not join with other counties and the California State Association of Counties to support the establishment of a statewide commission on recycling markets.