Assembly Bill 1826 is an aggressive recycling mandate passed in California that aims to eliminate organics from landfill-bound waste and took effect April 1, 2016.
Organic waste comprises the largest portion of landfill-bound waste contributing some 30-60% of all globally produced waste.
The full scope AB 1826 takes five years to implement, first targeting businesses and multi-family dwellings that produce 8-cubic yards or more of organic waste per week, beginning January 1, 2017.
However, as of January 1, 2019, AB 1826 expands to include businesses and multi-family dwellings that produce 4-cubic yards or more of commercial solid waste per week, the size of an average dumpster.
While the average person may think a dumpster every week is a lot, commercial properties and businesses regularly produce as much.
AB 1826 makes a drastic shift from just targeting large producers of organic waste, to producers of waste period.
In addition, beginning January 1, 2020, AB 1826 will reach it's regulatory apex, where producers of as little as 2-cubic yards commercial solid waste per week will be required to make arrangements for organic waste diversion.
This means some homeowners may start to feel the economic effects of AB 1826.
Though only a few very rural jurisdictions are not be included in the mandate, everywhere else an entirely separate waste stream will develop.
This will most certainly increase the cost of waste collection.
TAKEAWAY
Having a recycling plan in place to maximize your landfill diversion and help mitigate cost is essential to not only ensure community fiscal responsibility, but also to meet California compliance.
Each community is unique and it is important to know the strengths and weaknesses of your current waste and recycling strategy.
Stay up-to-date on your local laws and compliance regulations for waste, recycling, electronics, and organics by subscribing to Global Disposal's newsletter here.
When creating your plan, remember that it is more than just a traditional waste or “trash” plan, but must also include a plan for bulbs, batteries, electronics, recycling, and organics.