Executive Director Report to CRRA Members
October 2014
Government Relations – Legislative Updates
Governor Signs AB 1594 – Alternative Daily Cover, AB 1826 – Organics from Landfills, AB 270 – Phase Out of Single Use Plastic Bags
In the last days of September the Governor signed AB 1594, AB 1826 and SB 270 landmark recycling bills that place California once again in the forefront of national recycling policy and, with AB 1594 and AB 1826, links these new recycling mandates directly to California’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.
AB 1594, authored by Assemblymember Das Williams, specifies that green material (i.e., yard trimmings and untreated wood waste) used as alternative daily cover in landfills does not constitute diversion and shall instead be considered disposal beginning in 2020. The bill requires jurisdictions to report on how they will meet these diversion requirements and to address any barriers that would prevent a jurisdiction from meeting these requirements. CRRA submitted a letter of support for this bill and voiced support for the bill throughout the legislative process.
AB 1826, authored by Assemblymember Wes Chesbro, requires commercial recycling of organic waste starting in 2016 for businesses generating eight cubic yards or more of organic waste per week. AB 1826 also requires local jurisdictions to develop organic waste recycling programs. CRRA submitted a letter of support for this bill and voiced support for the bill throughout the legislative process.
Heavily lobbied, AB 270 will phase out single use plastic bags in California and will be the first state in the country to do so. CRRA contacted Assembly members to support the bill and sent a letter of support to the Governor’s office.
2015 Annual Conference and Trade Show Planning Meeting Scheduled for October 14
On October 14 our 2015 CRRA conference team will meet in-person and on a conference call with Karen Coca, Nady Maechling and others from the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation to discuss our upcoming 2015 conference scheduled for August 4 -7. Topics will include conference theme and logo, hotel arrangements, call for submissions and program participation, program printing, keynote speakers, elected officials, the city’s new franchise system, tour destinations and off-site social opportunities.
2016 Annual Conference and Trade Show – Researching Sacramento Venues
We continue to appreciate the City of Sacramento and County of Sacramento’s generous offer to host and financially participate in our 2016 Annual Conference and Trade Show through the Sacramento Regional Solid Waste Authority (SWA). Through Global Cynergies we are continuing to research hotel, Convention Center and Memorial Auditorium availability for July or August 2106. The Sacramento Convention Center policy has changed as the economy has improved and a high priority has been placed on accommodating the largest conferences first, defined as those with a peak room night occupancy of at least 500 rooms.
CRRA - SWANA Potential Certification Partnership Discussion Scheduled for October 6 - 8
On October 6-8 I will be in Silver Spring, Maryland working with SWANA Deputy Director Sara Bixby to develop a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will address a certification program partnership. The certification partnership could include 1) consolidation of curriculum materials and instruction, 2) joint marketing to members, and 3) contracted out administration. In a potential certification partnership both organizations would maintain their brand identities. A final MOU would be subject to approval by both the CRRA and SWANA Boards.
Board Certification Liaison Colleen Foster, Sara Bixby and I developed a comprehensive matrix chart that identified the key features of both a joint CRRA-SWANA certification program and a CRRA-only certification program. This was presented to the CRRA Board in September.
During 2014 our CRRA Ad Hoc Certification Committee provided valuable information and insights to 1) identify the best mix and formatting for courses, 2) consider the inclusion of more sustainable materials life cycle and climate change content, 3) focus certification on mid-career professionals, 4) evaluate the requirements contained in the national standards, and 5) review opportunities to leverage certification course work with SWANA.
Recycling Facility Financing Seminars Planning Meetings Ongoing
On September 16 Board President Rob Hilton and I met in Sacramento with representatives from CalRecycle (including Caroll Mortensen, Dr. Howard Levenson), the California Pollution Control Financing Authority (CPCFA), CPCFA’s financial advisory firm, Montague DeRose, and from the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank to discuss the feasibility of sponsoring joint financing seminars in 2015. The seminars will focus on financing recycling facilities through tax exempt bonds, grants and loans and other assistance with a special emphasis on organics and the organic recycling imperative created by the recent enactment of AB 1826.
A smaller working group met on October 1 and will reconvene in mid-October. The working group is focusing on the formatting, logistics and marketing of the seminars. The immediate goal is to offer the first financing seminar in the Bay Area in January of 2015.
2014 Waste Management Conference and Exhibit/Southern California Waste Management Forum
In order to develop deeper connections with waste and recycling professionals and current and potential members and sponsors I will be attending the Southern California Waste Management Forum’s 2014 Waste Management Conference in Pomona, California on November 12. A leading topic at the conference will be the impact of new legislation on organic waste management.