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Feb 3 - Update: Recyclers Oppose Effort to Ease Restrictions on Landfilling of TV Glass
On Wednesday, CalRecycle held an informal workshop to discuss the issue of CRT glass. As previously mentioned, CRT glass has become a problem for recyclers as traditional recycling markets for CRT glass have been diminishing. Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has a proposal that would ease the restriction on landfilling lead-containing CRT glass.
While the proposed DTSC emergency regulations do not address eligibility for recycling payment claims, if DTSC approves a ‘treatment standard’ for CRT glass then CalRecycle, a sister agency, may initiate their own emergency regulations regarding the eligibility of ‘treated and disposed’ CRT glass for covered electronic device payment, potentially to allow payment for the disposal of glass.
CAW Executive Director Mark Murray was there to argue against paying a recycling payment on the disposal of CRT glass. Not only is this not legal under current statute, this also goes against the intent of the E-waste Recycling Act of 2003 where consumers are paying for the recycling of e-waste. While DTSC may make regulatory changes that authorize CRT glass (under specified circumstances) to be disposed, the e-waste that is disposed should no longer be eligible for a recycling payment.
DTSC is expected to release and finalize their emergency regulations by the end of February.
Feb 3 – Four More CA Cities Move Towards Bans on Bags, Styro
Yesterday evening the West Valley Solid Waste Management Joint Powers Agency Board voted unanimously to recommend plastic bag and Styrofoam container bans in four West Valley cities: Campbell, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, and Saratoga.
The board, comprised of an elected official from each of those cities, directed Agency staff to submit a letter to the West Valley Mayors and Managers Association recommending single-use bags and polystyrene container ordinances. Each city will then decide whether or not to take action towards passing and adopting such bans.
In addition, the board also directed staff from each member city to study the impacts of Styrofoam container ordinances.
It’s possible that some of these local governments, such as the City of Campbell, may adopt ordinances within the next year. Evan Low, vice-mayor of Campbell and Agency board member, was quoted as saying,
“In Campbell...there is a push to take action. The San Jose ban has been changing peoples’ behaviors, and in Campbell we had the ‘let’s wait and see’ approach, but people are starting to ask why.”
San Jose’s ordinance went into effect this year after several years of outreach, research, and meetings. Staff from the nearby city, which is the largest in the nation to pass a bag ordinance thus far, has already offered up their expertise to any interested jurisdictions.
Feb 3 - Plastic Recycling Plant Opens up in Riverside, Employs 100
Today marks the much anticipated opening of CarbonLITE Industries, a bottle-to-bottle PET recycling plant in Riverside, Calif.
The plant will initially produce 75 million pounds of food-grade recycled PET annually and currently employs 100 people. At full capacity, the plant will recycle more than 2 billion plastic bottles from curbside and deposit materials and is the largest PET recycling plant in the US.
According to CEO Neville Browne, "We are bringing 100 jobs back to America, and returning the carbon footprint advantage from PET recycling back to this county. One pound of recycled resin has a carbon footprint that is nine times less than a pound of virgin PET."
"Right now there are 500 million to 600 million pounds of PET passing through California on the way to China," Browne said.
The California Legislature recognized that problem and since 2007, California has encouraged California-based manufacturers of products and packaging to utilize recycled plastic in-state, through the Plastic Market Development Program. The program has recently been renewed and expanded with the passage of AB1149 (Gordon and Wieckowski).
There is greater awareness of the need to recycle and to incorporate recycled content into packaging. This is especially true in California, with the Rigid Plastic Packaging Container Act that requires rigid plastic containers offered for sale in this state to meet one of several requirements which include having recycled content or a high recycling rate.
Feb 2 – Calabasas Bag Ban Review Shows Strong Support
Last month, the Calabasas City Council held a meeting to discuss the progress of its single-use bag ordinance. The ordinance first became effective in July of 2011.
The bag ordinance bans single-use plastic bags and requires a 10 cent charge on single-use paper bags. It applied only to larger Calabasas grocery stores until January of this year, when the second phase included smaller retailers. Despite education outreach efforts by the city, some shoppers were taken unaware by the ordinance's expansion.
But overall the transition has been smooth, and as evidenced by the meeting where over 15 people provided input, support for the ordinance is strong. According to the Acorn, Calabasas resident Dale Reicheneder initially opposed the ordinance. But months into its implementation, he’s noticing the behavioral change in using less bags, and was quoted as saying, “I learned from it and I think I’m better for it.”
Retailers are also on board. The California Grocers Association said they were “comfortable” with the ordinance, and Albertsons’ representative Rick Crandall pointed out: “Most customers don’t understand that bags have never been free.”
In the past and in jurisdictions without a bag ordinance, the bag costs are passed on to consumers through higher grocery prices, but these types of ordinances help remove the hidden price and place it only on those consumers who want to use single-use bags.
Feb 1 – Berkeley Opts for Stronger Plastic Bag Ban
The Berkeley City Council voted yesterday evening to strengthen its single-use bag ordinance.
Under the Alameda County Waste Management Authority (StopWaste.org) bag ordinance adopted last month, large grocery and convenience stores in Berkeley will stop distributing single-use plastic bags by next year. Paper bags and reusable bags will be allowed for an initial price of 10 cents each.
Berkeley, and other Alameda County incorporated cities, have the option of using the StopWaste.org Environmental Impact Report to expand their ordinance to other retail stores. The Berkeley City Council is choosing to take that extra step, and CAW hopes to see other cities follow. More stores covered by an ordinance means less single-use bag waste and pollution.
According to the Daily Californian, the Council directed the Berkeley City Manager to draft a stronger ordinance that includes non-profit retail stores and other retailers under the ordinance. It would go into effect on the scheduled January 1, 2013 date. Stay tuned on our website for updates on this process.
Learn about our Campaign to End Single-Use Plastic Bags and take action on local bag bans today.
Jan 31- Over 70% of European Union Citizens Support Bag Ban
The European Union (EU) has been considering a regional approach on the issue of plastic bag pollution, and recent survey results indicate a vast majority of public support for a bag ban.
The European Commission survey received over 15,500 respondents. The survey was intended to obtain public input for bag reduction efforts as well as biodegradable bag standards.
More than 70% of EU citizens that responded expressed their support for a plastic bag ban. Already several members of the EU have passed their own laws banning or restricting single-use plastic bags—including the Republic of Ireland, Italy, France, and recently parts of the United Kingdom—Northern Ireland and Wales.
According to Plastics News, Stephane Arditi, senior policy officer for the European Environment Bureau, said of the results:
Jan 30 – Northern Ireland Bans "Free" Bags Starting April 2013
“Free” single-use bags will soon be a thing of the past in Ireland. (NOTE: Bags aren’t really free--even though consumers aren’t charged upfront for shopping bags, retailers have passed on the costs to customers in the products being purchased.)
According to media reports, Environment Minister of Northern Ireland, Alex Attwood, announced today that a five pence (roughly 8 cents) charge on single-use plastic and paper bags will be implemented beginning in April of next year.
Jan 27 – Los Altos Considers Plastic Bag and Styrofoam Bans
The City of Los Altos may soon ban plastic bags and Styrofoam containers in an effort to meet zero stormwater trash goals.
According to media reports, the City could ban single-use plastic bags within the next two years, and a food takeout container ordinance is also being considered. Eleven measures for a trash load reduction plan, including the plastic pollution bans, were presented to City Council earlier this month.
Ordinance details are still being worked out, but it’s possible that, unlike the City of San Jose’s ordinance which applies to all retailers, the Los Altos bag ordinance would only apply to the largest stores.
Like other local jurisdictions covered under Municipal Regional Stormwater National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit (Order R2 2009 0074), Los Altos must comply with a zero trash load requirement by 2022. A 40% reduction is required by 2014.
Jan 26 - Alameda County Passes Recycling and Plastic Bag Ordinances
In addition to unanimously adopting a single-use bag ordinance yesterday afternoon, the Alameda County Waste Management Authority (StopWaste.org) also passed a mandatory recycling ordinance. The ordinance includes businesses generating 4 cubic yards of waste or more per week and multifamily complexes with 5 or more units.
According to the Oakland North, StopWaste executive director Gary Wolff noted that 100,000 tons of diverted waste creates 200 jobs and praised the ordinances:
“It’s rare that you get a win-win for both the environment and the economy, and this is that.”
The mandatory recycling ordinance goes beyond the statewide commercial recycling requirements by applying the program to a larger number of businesses and by phasing in mandatory commercial food scrap recycling. The ordinance goes into effect on July 1, 2012, but organics recycling won’t be mandatory until July 1, 2014.
CAW was there testifying in support for both ordinances. CAW Legislative Coordinator Nick Lapis commented on StopWaste’s bag ordinance impact towards a statewide bag ban:
“This will help lay out where the state should go. Adding 15 jurisdictions will have a big effect statewide, in terms of legislation.”
Jan 25 – CA Update: 39 Cities and Counties Have Local Bag Bans
The official count for Californian cities and counties with a single-use bag ordinance is now 39. See the full list of local Californian bag ordinances.
This afternoon, Alameda County Waste Management Authority (StopWaste.org) adopted its single-use bag ordinance, which will be implemented in unincorporated Alameda County as well as its 14 incorporated cities: Alameda City, Albany, Berkeley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro, and Union City.
Local jurisdictions could also choose to adopt a stronger ordinance (to cover more stores, etc.) using the StopWaste.org Environmental Impact Report. The City of Berkeley will discuss this option on January 31. Read more about the Berkeley bag ordinance.
Jan 24 – Alameda County, Millbrae Poised to Ban Plastic Bags
Several local governments will soon be deciding whether or not to ban single-use plastic bags, but they could use your support.
Millbrae - January 24, 2012 at 7:30 pm
This evening, the City of Millbrae is holding a hearing on an ordinance that bans plastic carryout bags while allowing the sale of reusable and single-use paper bags (10 cent minimum price requirement on paper bags). It’s estimated that 7 million plastic bags are distributed in the city each year. A copy of the ordinance is available here.
The current version of the ordinance was revised and strengthened from an earlier draft to include more stores, which will decrease environmental impacts and economic costs associated with municipal cleanups and litter management. But according to the San Mateo Daily Journal, this may have increased some business opposition to the ordinance.
New material to remove radioactive gas from spent nuclear fuel
Jan 23 - Recyclers Oppose Effort to Allow Landfilling of TV Glass
Thanks to CA's Electronic Waste Recycling Act, Californians have recycled more than 1 billion pounds of e-waste since the program's inception in 2003. Cathode-ray tubes (CRT) television and monitors are a big part of that recycling stream. For the last 2 years however, CRT glass has become a problem for recyclers. Traditional glass recycling method of lead smelting and glass-to-glass recycling are now limited. With diminishing recycling market for CRT glass, the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has a proposal that would allow landfilling of leaded glass for CRT as a way to help recyclers cope.
Although well intention, this proposal would go against the original intent of the law, which is that consumers pay for the recycling of the material, not to landfill it.
Some recyclers support DTSC's proposed emergency regulations as it provides financial relief (the state pays recyclers only after recyclers ships the glass). However, there are other e-waste recyclers and environmental groups who view that the regulations are not prudent.
As quoted in Record Net, Bill McGeever, vice president of operations of ECS Refining in Stockton said: "We think land-filling glass that has a commercial value is ridiculous, especially under the guise of a recycling law."
Sheila Davis, executive director of the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, a consumer group focused on the environmental impact of electronics production, use and disposal says:
Jan 23 – Mountain View Targets Plastic Bags and Polystyrene
The City of Mountain View is meeting tonight to discuss drafting a work plan on single-use plastic bag and plastic containers.
The plan will be discussed by city council members and the city’s Environmental Sustainability Committee. If approved by council, the work plan would be developed during the 2012-2013 fiscal year.
CAW expects to see more ordinances against single-use plastics from Mountain View and other nearby local governments in the future. The newly adopted municipal regional stormwater permit requires a zero trash load requirement by the year 2022, and the passage of local plastic bag bans and Styrofoam takeout container bans will help reduce trash in waterways while also earning these local jurisdictions credit towards meeting that goal.
For similar reasons, the Cities Association of Santa Clara County, a regional organization comprised of elected official representatives from all 15 cities in the county, recently adopted recommendations to move towards a regional ban of Styrofoam food containers. The recommendations were made by Santa Clara County’s Recycling and Waste Reduction Commission. Read the press release.
Jan 20 - Austin, TX Moves Closer to Finalizing Bag Ordinance Language
The City of Austin continues to move towards a single-use bag ordinance. If successful, the current version of the ordinance would be strongest passed in the state thus far. See other local bag ordinances in Texas and the rest of the country here.
Since last year, several versions of draft ordinance have been discussed. The latest version reviewed by the City, according to this article, would require a 10 cent price requirement on each single-use plastic and paper bag used from March 2013 to March 2014. After that, single-use bags would be banned from distribution.
Ban opponents are pushing to increase recycling efforts instead of banning plastic bags. But we know recycling isn’t the solution. In California, several years after a state-mandated recycling program went into effect placing collection bins in stores throughout the state, the recycling rate for single-use plastic bags is only 3%.
Austin City Council members are expected to see another draft of the ordinance at the end of this month, and could possibly make a decision as early as March.
Take action and support local plastic bag ordinances today.
Jan 19 – Two Bag Bans Introduced in WA State Legislature
Riding on the wave of the successful bag bans emerging from Washington State (Bellingham, Mukilteo, and most recently Seattle all passed local single-use bag ordinances), lawmakers have introduced statewide bills on the issue.
Representatives Joe Fitzgibbon and Marko Liias introduced HB 1877, which similar to the local WA bag ordinances, bans single-use plastic bags and places a 5 cent minimum price requirement on paper bags. According to this Plastic News article, the bill will be heard in an environmental committee on January 20.
In the Washington State Senate, Senators Maralyn Chase and Adam Kline have also introduced SB 5780, which bans non-compostable plastic bags.
Jan 19 - California Recyclers Applaud New Recycling Rules
California recycling companies and environmentalists are applauding the move to strengthen regulations on rigid plastic packaging containers (RPPCs). New regulations adopted earlier this week are expected to increase the demand for postconsumer plastic resin by 17 million pounds, and remove loopholes that allowed compliance through the use of lighter virgin resin.
Californians Against Waste has been closely following and participating in the regulatory process. Said Executive Director Mark Murray,
“Manufacturers of polypropylene paint cans, 5-gallon buckets and transport containers have been claiming and receiving an exemption based on source reduction for years because they were lighter than similar HDPE containers."
Companies that oppose the removal of “resin-switching” languages will now have to comply with the 25% postconsumer content requirement. According to this Plastic News article, they may try blocking the regulation revision or seeking legislative changes to statute that will buy them additional time for compliance or a reduced recycled content requirement.
The new regulations will even the playing field for manufacturers by adding over 357 million RPPC buckets and non-food clamshells that were previously left out of the program while nearly identical containers were not.
Jan 19 - States Report on E-waste Recycling
With the start of the new year, we are seeing states posting their e-waste recycling volume and rates. So far, Minnesota, Washington and New Jersey have released data for 2011 program year.
Minnesota's numbers have stagnated with 33 million pounds recovered while Washington and New Jersey both have seen increases in collection rate.
New Jersey collected approximately 40 million pounds a e-waste, a five-fold increase in e-waste tonnage over the approximately 8 million pounds collected in 2010. Washington saw a 6% increase from 2010, collecting 42.2 million pounds of covered electronics in 2011.
California's 2011 e-waste recycling numbers will not be available until March, but for 2010, CA recycled approximately 193 million pounds. This is almost more than all the other states' e-waste programs combined.
CAW supports AB 960 by Assembly Member Bonnie Lowenthal which will help increase the number of e-waste recycle domestically. The measure requires e-waste recyclers to conform their export practices as a condition of receiving existing recycling payments under California’s e-waste law. It is currently a 2-year bill.
Jan 18 - Hawaii County Mayor Signs Plastic Bag Ban Into Law
In one year, single-use plastic bags--which have been found in disturbing amounts in the stomachs of dead turtles, whales, and other wildlife--will be banned from the Big Island of Hawaii. According to this Associated Press article, Mayor Bill Kenoi signed a plastic bag ordinance into law on Tuesday.
The Hawaii County Council passed the bag ban last December, prohibiting businesses from distributing single-use plastic bags, and has been waiting for the Mayor's action since then.
In 2008, an earlier version of the ordinance was passed by council but vetoed by then mayor Dixie Kaetsu. Thanks to all our members and supporters who took action and sent in a letter urging the Mayor to sign the bill!
Jan 17 - Attempt to Overturn Seattle Bag Ban Falls Flat
It's confirmed—the self-proclaimed “crazy” (and we won’t argue with that) man who was trying to get enough signatures for a voter referendum of the Seattle bag ban has failed. The ban goes into effect this coming July.
According to the Seattle Times, the Seattle resident needed 16,000 signatures by today to get it on this summer's ballot. He reportedly collected roughly 2,000-3,000 signatures only.
The man was trying to repeat history--Seattle’s first bag ordinance, passed in 2008, was overturned the following year. Read more about why this latest attempt to stop the Seattle bag ban failed on our blog.
Take action and send in support letters for other plastic bag ordinances here.
