California to Use GHG Rule to Mandate Waste Recycling

Date: July 24, 2009

Source: News Room

California air and waste officials have begun rulemaking efforts to mandate commercial waste recycling as a means to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. California is believed to be the first state in the country to do so, though individual municipalities have undertaken their own ordinances in recent years. Their success could serve as a national model as other states and the federal government look for novel approaches to improving efficiencies and reducing emissions. Officials with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which under state law AB 32 is tasked with developing regulations and market mechanisms to ultimately reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020, believe that recycling could potentially reduce 5.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2)-equivalent emissions annually. CARB is working closely with the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) to develop the regulation.

These GHG-reduction assumptions are based on a theoretical program that would mandate the recycling of cardboard, lumber, glass, plastic, paper and metals at businesses with more than 100 employees, as well as "multi-family complexes" of more than five units, including mobile home parks, according to a CIWMB white paper.

To learn more and to read the white paper, visit: www.ciwmb.ca.gov/climate/Recycling/default.htm.

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