REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Study Session: Short-Lived Climate Pollutants Regulations and Future Solid Waste Processing and Collections Options
Report
BACKGROUND
In September 2016, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) establishing methane emissions reduction targets in a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP) in various sectors of California’s economy. SB 1383 establishes targets to achieve a 50 percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2020 and a 75 percent reduction by 2025. The law grants CalRecycle the regulatory authority required to achieve the organic waste disposal reduction targets.
Methane emissions resulting from the decomposition of organic waste in landfills are a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions contributing to global climate change. Organic materials (including waste that can be readily prevented, recycled, or composted) account for a significant portion of California’s overall waste stream. Food waste alone accounts for approximately 17-18 percent of total landfill disposal.
In May 2018, CalRecycle released its second draft of the new SLCP regulations. The regulations will require jurisdictions to implement organic waste collection services and develop edible food recovery programs by January 1, 2022. The regulations give CalRecycle the authority to fine jurisdictions up to $10,000 per day for non-compliance.
The City has agreements in place with Mission Trail Waste Systems (MTWS) for exclusive franchise refuse collection (expires December 30, 2021), Recology for residential curbside recycling services (expires January 10, 2020), and Republic Services for landfill disposal and composting services at Newby Island Landfill (expires December 31, 2024). The City will need to secure additional organic waste processing capacity in order to achieve compliance with the SLCP regulations.
DISCUSSION
At this Study Session, staff will provide an overview of the proposed SLCP regulations. The Study Session will include an overview of the current landfill disposal and composting agreement, local solid waste processing capacity and China’s National Sword policy that is impacting exports of recyclable material, and options to secure future organics processing capacity to enable the City to achieve compliance with the SLCP regulations. All of these items will impact future solid waste collection services including containers. Staff will present solid waste container options to be considered for the next iteration(s) of exclusive franchise agreements.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
Staff
Reviewed by: Craig Mobeck, Director of Public Works
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager