12 - Laserfiche WebLink

the total tonnage of landfilled materials generated in Alameda County by 75% by a date to be chosen by the Recycling Board and to thereafter establish a date (or dates) to reduce, recycle, and compost further quantities of discarded materials. In 2003, the Recycling Board and Authority approved 2010 as the date by which 75% diversion was to be obtained. In July 2010 the Recycling Board and Authority approved a year 2020 objective to reduce the amount of readily recyclable and compostable materials originating in Alameda County and deposited in landfills to no more than 10% of total materials originating in Alameda County and landfilled. (f) The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery was developing a mandatory commercial and multifamily recycling regulation as part of implementing statewide efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions pursuant to AB 32. The steps required to supply recycled materials to industry (i.e., collection, processing and transportation) use less energy than the steps to supply virgin materials (i.e., extraction, refining, processing, and transportation). These energy savings reduce GHG emissions. (g) The use of composted organics (plant debris, food and compostable paper) reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which are energy intensive to manufacture and transport. The use of compost also conserves water in landscapes, and can help mitigate the decline in soil quality in California and Alameda County expected to result from climate change. (h) The State of California has adopted legislation(AB 341) that requires multi- family property owners and businesses that generate more than 4 cubic yards of solid waste service per week to provide recycling collection service unless physical space to do so does not exist. (i) The Countywide Waste Characterization Study conducted in 2008 found that about 60% of solid waste originating in Alameda County and disposed in landfills was readily recyclable or compostable. Significant quantities of recyclable and compostable materials continue to be landfilled (around 700,000 tons in 2008). Recycling or composting this material will aid the Cities in Alameda County and the County in achieving the GHG reduction goals contained within their Climate Action Plans, create jobs at processing facilities, and implement the CoIWMP, AB 939, AB 32, and Measure D. (j) There are permitted facilities available that can effectively recycle cans,bottles and all recyclable paper grades discarded in Alameda County, or compost food and food-soiled paper, thereby achieving the goals and objectives cited above. Facilities that can also extract energy from organic waste through anaerobic digestion prior to composting are being developed or investigated by numerous parties. (k) The Authority prepared the Mandatory Recycling and Single Use Bag Reduction Ordinances Environmental Impact Report, which considered two separate projects 2