With the passage of Assembly Bill 341 (Chapter 476, Statutes of 2011 [Chesbro, AB 341]), California is one of the first states in the nation to enact a statewide program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by diverting commercial solid waste from landfills.
According to 2008 Statewide Waste Characterization data, the commercial sector generates nearly three fourths of the solid waste in California, with much of the materials disposed in landfills readily recyclable. AB 341 also establishes a statewide goal to divert 75% of solid waste away from landfill by the year 2020.
Effective July 1, 2012: A business that that generates four cubic yards or more of commercial solid waste per week or a multi-family residential dwelling (complex) of five units or more shall subscribe to weekly recycling collection service of at least one 32-gallon cart from Waste Management of Alameda County, Inc. (WMAC).
Businesses who do not generate recyclables on the premises, deliver or arrange for delivery of recyclables by a person or vendor that does not charge for service to a recyclables Processing Facility such as the Davis Street Transfer Station, or share recycling service with another owner/occupant in CVSan may apply for a Mandatory Recycling Exemption.
Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSan) offers a variety of free resources to help businesses and complexes recycle and reduce waste:
- Site Assessments
- Containers, Signs, and Trainings
- Collection Events
- Food Scrap Recycling Program Set-Up
- Funding Opportunities
To find out if you comply and to learn how to start or improve a commercial recycling program in Castro Valley, contact WMAC’s Recycling Coordinator at 510-613-8751.
For more information about AB 341, please visit CalRecycle’s website at www.calrecycle.ca.gov.
