Solid Waste Management

 

In recent decades, recognizing the environmental consequences of waste, committed Californians from all sectors have collaborated on extensive waste mitigation efforts aimed at meeting goals set by the State Legislature. Solid waste prevention programs have helped inspire the public to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Waste reduction, recycling, and reuse are now easy, convenient, and widely accepted practices. Most cities offer curbside recycling services and public recycling receptacles. Reuse programs collect and exchange specific types of materials, such as art supplies, building materials, or medical supplies. Most importantly, “source reduction” (reducing waste at its origin) obviates the need for reuse and recycling directly, by generating less waste material. Source reduction takes many forms, from bulk purchasing to paperless offices to reduced product packaging.

Solid waste prevention programs developed or implemented by the Local Government Commission include:

Second Chance Week

Second Chance Week is a grassroots public awareness campaign held each October to promote reuse, repair, resale and donation opportunities throughout California. Local governments, community groups, reuse businesses, and other organizations cooperate to provide new uses for reusable items. Since 1997, hundreds of organizations have coordinated events for 2nd Chance Week, resulting in the reuse of thousands of items statewide.

Waste Reduction Award Program (WRAP)

WRAP recognizes California businesses that show outstanding effort to reduce waste. Award winners help demonstrate the environmental and economic benefits of waste reduction. Since 1992, thousands of businesses have received a WRAP award.

For information about nominating a local business (or nonprofit organization), visit the WRAP web site (www.ciwmb.ca.gov/wrap).

California Materials Exchange (CalMAX)

CalMAX is a free service designed to find markets for materials that are traditionally discarded. Using both on-line and printed catalogs, CalMAX links businesses, schools, nonprofits and other entities in the exchange of used materials. Since 1992, CalMAX has helped divert over  650,000 tons of materials from landfills and save over 5.5 million dollars. To view a listing of "Available" and "Wanted" materials, visit the CalMAX web site (www.ciwmb.ca.gov/calmax).