CA Gov. Schwarzenegger Urged to Sign Commercial Recycling Bill

Date: September 17, 2010

Source: News Room

Waste industry groups and environmentalists are urging California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) to sign a bill that would mandate commercial recycling in local jurisdictions, with the expectation that the law would supersede a related greenhouse gas (GHG) regulation under consideration at the California Air Resources Board (ARB). The new bill AB 737 would give enforcement authority over to CalRecycle, California's waste department, instead of the air board, which is seeking to regulate commercial recycling through its global warming regulatory authority, given to it by law AB 32. Industry and even some environmental groups believe that CalRecycle is better suited to the task with greater waste and recycling expertise. The problem is that the rules to mandate recycling originate under state law AB 32 as a means to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

AB 32 was signed into law in 2006 with the objective of reducing GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, a roughly 30 percent reduction, and achieving an 80 percent reduction by 2050. 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.

See also: "Industry Will Likely Oppose California Plan to Mandate Recycling," (www.wasteinfo.com/news/wbj20091215F.htm).

See also: "California to Use GHG Rule to Mandate Waste Recycling," (www.wasteinfo.com/news/wbj20090728A.htm).

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