Welcome to the Home of Californians Against Waste

Welcome to the Home of Californians Against Waste!

Hot Issues

Plastic Litter and Waste Reduction Campaign

Plastic is ubiquitous and everlasting. The fastest growing component of California's solid waste stream, and the number one category of material found littered on beaches and roadsides.

A series of new studies have also implicated plastic litter as a serious threat to water quality and wildlife. Plastic waste clogs our landfills, storm drains, rivers and oceans.

Our Top Priority Legislation

AB 48 (Saldaña) Toxic Electronics Phase Out
Summary. Phases out the use of specified hazardous materials in consumer electronics, consistent with European Union ROHs Directive.

AB 548 (Levine) Bringing the Opportunity to Recycle to Every Californian
Summary. Provides a residential recycling opportunity for more than 7.1 million Californians residing in more than 2.4 million multi-family dwelling units.

Actions

Urge Grocery Stores to Reduce the Use of Plastic Bags

AB 2449 (Levine) was signed into law by the Governor in 2006 and even though the law becomes effective on July 1, 2007, we want the grocery stores to start this practice now! We want you to urge your local grocery store to start this practice now, even before the law becomes into affect so they know the importance of taking back plastic bags for recycling.

TAKE ACTION! Print out the petition on this link and give it to the manager of your local grocer.

Reduce Toxic E-waste

Electronic Waste currently consistutes over 515,000 tons of California's annual waste stream. According to the US EPA, e-waste is not only the fastest growing waste stream in the U.S., about 70% of the toxic heavy metals found in landfills come from e-waste. Help support CAW remedy the ubiquitous e-waste problem today.

TAKE ACTION!

Californians Against Waste is recognized as one of the nation's leading non-profit environmental research and advocacy organizations focusing on resource conservation and pollution prevention through waste reduction and recycling. The organization's 27 year history and track record of accomplishments has demonstrated it to be principled, practical, creative and effective. Find out more about CAW.

AB 2449 (Levine) Plastic Bag Litter and Waste Reduction

Summary.

This measure will, for the first time, require all CA grocery stores to take back and

recycle plastic grocery bags. The bill also requires retailers to provide consumers with a bag reuse opportunity. Retailers and manufactures will be required to implement a public education program, and all bags must be labeled 'Please Return to a Participating Store for Recycling.'

Status.
AB 2449 was signed by the Governor on Sept. 30th.

Read Governor Schwarzenegger's singing message>>

Description.
Effective July 1, 2007, AB 2449 will establish a 6 year pilot program requiring most large grocery stores and other retailers to create an in-store recycling program for the collection and recycling of plastic 'carry out' bags. The program will include:

Labeling bags to return to the store for recycling.
Placing recycling bins in visible and accessible locations for customers.
The provision of reusable bags for customers to potentially purchase and use in lieu of disposable ones.

In addition, plastic bag manufacturers would be required to work with the grocery stores on their programs to help ensure the proper collection, transportation and recycling of the plastic bags.

Special Note on Local Pre-emption: As part of the legislative compromise to gain adoption of the recycling provisions of this bill, representatives of Californians Against Waste, the League of California Cities, and the author agreed to language that would pre-empt local agencies in California from adopting fees and recycling requirements on affected retailers. This was a difficult compromise to make, especially since CAW has been an advocate of advance disposal fees at the local level to promote recycling for more than 20 years. But, unfortunately, no one has ever been successful in getting a single local government to adopt a fee or recycling mandate of plastic grocery bags. Indeed, despite a rigurous effort in 2004 and 2005, even San Francisco was unwilling to take on retailers with a bag recycling fee. CAW believes AB 2449 represents a good step in the right direction.

CAW Staff Contacts
Mark Murray (916) 443-5422

Supporters.
Alameda County Waste Management Authority
Californians Against Waste
California League of Conservation Voters
Planning & Conservation League
Sea Turtle Restoration Project
City of Adelanto
City of Millbrae
Sierra Club California
Poly-America (maker of recycled plastic trash bags)
Trex (maker of recycled plastic lumber)

AB 2449 Bill Language.

Media.

"Grab That Bag" - The Press-Enterprise, December 2, 2006

‹ 2005-06 Legislationup AB 3056 (Hancock) Bottle Bill Program Funding - Support ›

AB 2147 (Harman) Compostable Plastics Labeling - Support

Summary. Prohibits labeling plastic food or beverage containers as "biodegradable," "degradable," or "compostable," unless the container meets the current ASTM standard for the term used on the label

Status. AB 2147 was signed by the Governor on September 20th.

Description. Existing law prohibits a person from selling a plastic bag that is labeled as "biodegradable," "compostable," or "degradable," unless the plastic bag meets a current American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM) the labeled term. Manufacturers and suppliers are required to submit to members of the public, upon their request, information and documentation demonstrating compliance with these labeling requirements within 90 days of the request. This bill imposes similar requirements on compostable plastic food or beverage containers.

CAW Staff Contact: (916) 443-5422

Current Actions. Letters in support of AB 2147 are needed and should be addressed to the author:

Senator Tom Harman (former Assemblymember)
State Capitol,
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0067

To better help our legislators, please fax a copy of your letter to CAW at 916-443-3912 or e-mail a copy to the CAW staff contact. Thank you.

Sample Support Letter

Supporters: CAW

Opponents: Not Yet Registered

Current Language, Analyses and votes.

‹ SB 1305 (Figueroa) Medical Waste - SupportupAB 2202 (Saldaña) Toxic Electronics Phase Out - Support ›

( categories: Plastic | California Legislature | 2005-06 Bills )

SB 1344 (Chesbro) Plastic Container Recycling

Summary. Expands compliance options under existing plastic container recycling law for manufacturers that utilize California generated recycled plastic.

Status. The bill was signed by the Governor on August 22nd and has been chaptered by the Secretary of State.

Description. Existing law requires every rigid plastic packaging container, as defined, sold or offered for sale in this state, to generally meet one of specified criteria, including being made of 25% postconsumer material. Existing law provides that a manufacturer is in compliance with that 25% requirement criteria if the manufacturer makes a demonstration with regard to the consumption of postconsumer material in the manufacture of a rigid plastic packaging container, whether or not that container is subject to those criteria, or a demonstration regarding the exportation of that material to another state or country. The bill would revise the conditions by which a manufacture may demonstrate compliance with that 25% requirement, to include the consumption or export of postconsumer materials used for the manufacture of other plastic products and plastic packaging and would delete the inclusion of postconsumer material that is exported to another country.

CAW Staff Contacts.

Current Action.

Letters in support of SB 1344 are needed now, and should be addressed to the author:

Senator Wes Chesbro
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814

To better help our legislators, please fax a copy of your letter to CAW at 916-443-3912 or e-mail a copy to the CAW staff contact. Thank you.

Supporters. Californians Against Waste, Illinois Tool Works,
Sierra Club California

Opponents.

Current Language, Analyses and votes.

‹ AB 3001 (Pavley) Toxic Computer Recycling - SupportupSB 1573 (Alarcón) Packaging Waste Reduction – Support ›

( categories: Packaging | Plastic | California Legislature | 2005-06 Bills )

SB 1573 (Alarcón) Packaging Waste Reduction – Support

Summary.
Requires the California Integrated Waste Management Board to update of the Preferred Packaging Procurement Guidelines, originally published by the board in 1994, so as to provide specified information to the private sector and recommend specific changes in state law to assist in reducing and preventing packaging waste.

Status.
Although the bill passed the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on April 24, it was held under submission in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Description.
This bill was amended to require the State Waste Board to update guidelines for packagers to curtail superfluous packaging and incorporate recyclable materials and designs. The updated guidelines would be more specific and current for the public sector as well as include recommendations in state law to address packaging waste. A 2003 U.S. EPA analysis of the Characteristics of Municipal Solid Waste found that containers and packaging accounted for more than 74 million tons of waste--the single largest component (31.7%). The cost burden on local governments and taxpayers for managing packaging waste is conservatively estimated at more than $1.5 billion annually. SB 1573 is intended to address the environmental and economic costs of excess packaging waste on California by directing producers to take responsiblity for reducing that waste.

CAW Staff Contacts.
Mark Murray (916) 443-5422

Current Actions.
None.

Supporters:
Environment California, Los Angeles City
Councilmembers, Sierra Club California,
StopWaste.org, Californians Against Waste

Opponents:

AeA, Alticor, American Chemistry Council,
American Forest & Paper Association, California
Business Properties Association, California
Chamber of Commerce, California Grocers
Association, California League of Food
Processors, California Packaging Alliance,
California Manufacturers & Technology
Association, California Paint Council,
California Retailers Association, Consumer
Specialty Products Association, Cosmetic,
Toiletry and Fragrance Association, Dairy
Institute of California, Dole Packaged Foods,
LLC, Glass Packaging Institute, Grocery
Manufacturers Association, International Diary
Foods Association, Reckitt Benckiser plc,
Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation, The
Society of the Plastics Industry, The Proctor &
Gamble Company, The Soap & Detergent
Association, USANA Health Sciences, Inc.,
Western Growers Association, Wine Institute

Current Language, Analyses and votes

‹ SB 1344 (Chesbro) Plastic Container RecyclingupSB 1778 (Alarcón) Establishes Incentives for Greenwaste Composting ›

( categories: Packaging | Plastic | CA Waste Management Board | California Legislature | 2005-06 Bills )

SB 1345 (Chesbro) Composting

Summary.
Updates State Rules for Use of Compost.

Status
SB 1345 was put on hold in the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

Description.
SB 1345, as introduced, Chesbro Environmental quality: publiccontracts: recycled products: compost.

(1) Existing law provides various procedures and requirements pertaining to the purchase of recycled items by the state, including,among other things, compost, cocompost, and mulch. This bill would increase, to 90%, the minimum content of certain materials, that would otherwise normally be disposed of in landfills,of which the recycled compost, cocompost, and mulch must consist.

(2) Existing law requires the Department of General Services andthe Integrated Waste Management Board, in consultation with otheraffected state agencies to maintain specifications for the purchaseof compost by the state, as prescribed.

This bill would additionally impose that duty upon the Departmentof Transportation.

Current language, analyses, and votes

View a pdf of the bill >

‹ AB 2118 (Matthews) Solid Waste. Conversion Technology Definitions and RegulationupAB 1866 (Karnette) Polystyrene Packaging Prohibition - Support ›

( categories: Greenwaste Composting | California Legislature | 2005-06 Bills )

AB 1866 (Karnette) Polystyrene Packaging Prohibition - Support

Summary. Prohibits the sale, possession or distribution of Expanded Polystyrene food containers (commonly called "Styrofoam") by state facilities beginning January of 2008.

Status. AB 1866 died in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Description. This bill would prohibit a state facility from selling, possessing, or distributing an expanded polystyrene food container on and after January 1, 2008. State agencies would also have to require their prospective bidders to certify that they, and their agents and subsidiaries, would not sell, possess, or distribute expanded polystyrene food containers. The chapter would apply to the campuses of the University of California only upon the approval of the Board of Regents of the University of California.

Supporters.

Californians Against Waste (sponsor)
California Refuse Removal Council
Natural Resources Defense Council
Planning and Conservation League
Sierra Club California

Opponents.

American Chemistry Council
California Chamber of Commerce
California Manufacturers and Technology Association
California Restaurant Association
Foodservice & Packaging Institute
Polystyrene Packaging Council
Styrene Information Research Center
Western Fairs Association

Current Language, Analyses and votes.

‹ SB 1345 (Chesbro) CompostingupAB 1940 (Koretz) Marine Debris Task Force - Support ›

( categories: Packaging | Plastic | California Legislature | 2005-06 Bills )

BILL NUMBER: AB 1866   AMENDED

        BILL TEXT

        AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 1, 2006

        AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 17, 2006

        AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 16, 2006

        AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  FEBRUARY 21, 2006

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Karnette

    (   Coauthor:   Assembly Member

Saldana   )

                        JANUARY 17, 2006

   An act to add Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 42390) to Part

3 of Division 30 of the Public Resources Code, relating to recycling.

        LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

   AB 1866, as amended, Karnette  Recycling:  polystyrene:

state facilities.

    Existing law requires all rigid plastic bottles and rigid

plastic containers sold in the state to be labeled with a code that

indicates the resin used to produce the rigid plastic bottle or rigid

plastic container. Existing law, the California Integrated Waste

Management Act of 1989, administered by the California Integrated

Waste Management Board, requires every rigid plastic packaging

container, as defined, sold or offered for sale in this state, to

generally meet one of specified criteria.

    This bill would define terms and would prohibit a state

facility from selling, possessing, or distributing an expanded

polystyrene food container on and after January 1, 2008. The bill

would direct a state agency to require each prospective

bidder, on and after January 1, 2008, to certify that it, its agents,

subsidiaries, partners, joint venturers, and subcontractors for

procurement, will not sell, possess, or distribute an expanded

polystyrene food container at a state facility. The bill would

provide that the requirement regarding food containers applies to the

campuses of the University of California only upon the approval of

the Board of Regents of the   University of California. The

bill would exempt prisons and state mental health facilities if the

Director of Corrections, for the prisons, or the Director of Mental

Health, for the state mental health facilities, determines that the

use of expanded polystyrene food containers is the only viable

alternative that would not pose a danger for persons in those

facilities.

   Under existing law, it is the policy of the state to conserve and

protect resources by encouraging the recycling of solid waste and the

purchase of those recycled materials, including recycled concrete,

rubberized asphalt concrete, and lead-acid batteries. Existing law

also regulates the recycling and reuse of, among other things,

beverage containers, plastic waste, and tires, and the manufacture of

fiberglass recycled content.

   This bill would allow a state facility to sell, possess, or

distribute a food container only if the food container is recyclable

or compostable, as defined, on and after January 1, 2008. The bill

would direct a state agency to require each prospective bidder, on

and after January 1, 2008, to certify that it, and its agents,

subsidiaries, partners, joint venturers, and subcontractors for

procurement, will sell, possess, or distribute a food container at a

state facility only if the food container is recyclable or

compostable. The bill would provide that the requirement regarding

food containers applies to the campuses of the University of

California only upon the approval of the Board of Regents of the

University of California. The bill would also exempt prisons and

state mental health facilities until the Director of Corrections, for

the prisons, or the Director of Mental Health, for the state mental

health facilities, determines that the use of food containers that

are recyclable or compostable would not pose a danger for persons in

those facilities.

   This bill would require the board to adopt regulations to

establish standards for determining whether a food container is

recyclable, for purposes of the bill's requirements.

   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.

State-mandated local program: no.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   SECTION 1.    Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section

42390) is added to Part 3 of Division 30 of the   Public

Resources Code   , to read:

       CHAPTER 6.5.  POLYSTYRENE CONTAINERS

   42390.  For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions

shall apply:

   (a) "Expanded polystyrene food container" means a rigid plastic

packing container, as defined in Section 42301, that meets all of the

following conditions:

   (1) Polystyrene is the sole resin used to produce the rigid

plastic packaging container.

   (2) The container is required to be labeled with a "6" pursuant to

subdivision (a) of Section 18015.

   (3) The container is used, or is intended to be used, to contain

food, as defined in Section 109935 of the Health and Safety Code.

   (b) "State facility" means a facility owned or leased by a state

agency, department, office, board, commission, or bureau of state

government, including, but not limited to, the campuses of the

California State University, the University of California, and the

California Community Colleges, prisons within the Department of

Corrections and Rehabilitation, and facilities of the Department of

Parks and Recreation.

   42391.  On and after January 1, 2008, a state facility shall not

sell, possess, or distribute an expanded polystyrene food container.

   42392.  On and after January 1, 2008, a request for proposal or a

contract for food, food service, or food containers shall require the

bidder or contractor to certify that it, and its agents,

subsidiaries, partners, joint venturers, and subcontractors for

procurement, shall not sell, possess, or distribute an expanded

polystyrene food container at a state facility.

   42393.  (a) This chapter shall apply to the campuses of the

University of California only upon the approval of the Board of

Regents of the University of California.

   (b) This chapter shall not apply to prison facilities within the

Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation if the Director of

Corrections determines that the use of expanded polystyrene food

containers is the only viable alternative that would not present a

danger to the inmates or other persons.

   (c) This chapter shall not apply to state mental facilities if the

Director of Mental Health determines that the use of expanded

polystyrene food containers is the only viable alternative that would

not present a danger to the patients or other persons.

  SECTION 1.    Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section

42390) is added to Part 3 of Division 30 of the Public Resources

Code, to read:

      CHAPTER 6.5.  FOOD CONTAINERS

   42390.  For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions

shall apply:

   (a) "Compostable" means the food container meets the current

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards

specifications for determining whether a product is compostable.

   (b) "Food container" means a container that is used, or is

intended to be used, to contain food, as defined in Section 109935 of

the Health and Safety Code.

   (c) "State facility" means a facility owned or leased by a state

agency, department, office, board, commission, or bureau of state

government, including, but not limited to, the campuses of the

California State University, the University of California, and the

California Community Colleges, prisons within the Department of

Corrections and Rehabilitation, and facilities of the Department of

Parks and Recreation.

   (d) "Recyclable" means a food container that meets the regulations

adopted by the board pursuant to Section 42394.

   42391.  Except as provided in Section 42393, on and after January

1, 2008, a state facility may sell, possess, or distribute a food

container only if the food container is recyclable or compostable.

   42392.  Except as provided in Section 42393, on and after January

1, 2008, a request for proposal or a contract for food, food service,

or food containers shall require the bidder or contractor to certify

that it, and its agents, subsidiaries, partners, joint venturers,

and subcontractors for procurement, will sell, possess, or distribute

a food container at a state facility only if the food container is

recyclable or compostable.

   42393.  (a) This chapter shall apply to the campuses of the

University of California only upon the approval of the Board of

Regents of the University of California.

   (b) This chapter shall apply to prison facilities within the

Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation only when the Director

of Corrections determines that the use of food containers that are

recyclable or compostable would not present a danger to the inmates

or other persons.

   (c) This chapter shall apply to state mental facilities only when

the Director of Mental Health determines that the use of food

containers that are recyclable or compostable would not present a

danger to the patients or other persons.

  42394.    The board shall adopt regulation to

establish standards for determining whether a food container is

recyclable for purposes of this chapter. The board shall classify, as

recyclable, those food containers that can reasonably be expected to

be recycled under existing solid waste management practices.