Business Recycling

BUSINESS RECYCLING

It has been twenty four years since California enacted the California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, also known as AB 939.  Since that time, local agencies, the solid waste and recycling industries, along with local residents and businesses throughout California, have jointly embraced efforts to “reduce, re-use and recycle,” thus diverting recyclable materials from landfill.  According to the information from the California Department of Resource Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), California’s statewide recycling rate is currently at sixty-five percent with a recent policy goal to reach seventy-five percent by the year 2020.

On October 6, 2011 the state adopted  Assembly Bill 341 this bill is requiring that it is the policy goal of the state that not less than 75% of solid waste generated be source reduced, recycled, or composted by the year 2020, and would require Calrecycle, by January 1, 2014, to provide a report to the Legislature that provides strategies to achieve that policy goal.   In order for CalRecycle to  accomplish this policy goal, this bill requires a business, defined to include a commercial or public entity, that generates more than 4 cubic yards of commercial solid waste per week or is a multifamily residential dwelling of 5 units or more to arrange for recycling services, on and after July 1, 2012.

While nearly all local agencies, in collaboration with their local waste haulers, have robust programs to collect and recycle materials generated by residential customers, programs to collect and process recyclable materials generated by businesses are not as numerous.  The challenge now is to increase recycling by commercial and multi-family generators, who produce over seventy percent of solid waste generated in California.

Benefits of AB 341:  In addition to less material going into local landfills, AB-341 will also contribute to Riverside County’s economy.  The Department of Resource Recycling estimates that local jurisdictions, schools, and businesses will save $40 million to $60 million per year from 2012-2020, due to lower recycling versus disposal costs.   A higher volume of recyclables will also create manufacturing and recycling jobs and help contribute to California’s competitiveness.  

Compliance with AB 341 is easy and Riverside County Waste haulers are here to help.  Each Waste Hauler is working with their cities to support commercial customers and multi-family complexes in meeting the AB341 requirements.   The Waste Hauler that serves your city will provide customers with a free waste and recycling assessment.

Learn more about AB 341:  AB 341- Mandatory Commercial Recycling:   Effective on July 1, 2012, the State of California has instituted a mandatory commercial recycling statute, requiring all businesses that generate 4 cubic yards or more of commercial solid waste per week to subscribe to recycling services.  “Business” includes public and private, for-profit and non-profit organizations.  Multi-family complexes with five or more units are also required to comply.   Follow the link below to learn more. http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/climate/Recycling/default.htm.

How can a business comply:  Riverside County Waste Haulers are working to provide a number of options to assist business with diverse needs.   Contact your Waste Hauler and they can help you identify your options.

Riverside County Waste Haulers:

Athens Services (888) 336-6100 or www.athensservices.com

CR&R Environmental Services (951) 943-1991 or www.crrwasteservices.com 

Burrtec Waste Industries, Inc. (951) 786-9660 or www.burrtec.com

Waste Management, Inc. (951) 280-5400 or www.wm.com


Starting your own program is easy.

Program and waste audit basics are also available in the WRCOG Riverside County Business Recycling Brochure and Riverside County's Recycling Guide for Residents and Businesses.



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