Technical Advisory Committee

IDTAC logoBackground

The Illegal Dumping Technical Advisory Committee (IDTAC) provides ongoing expertise for CalRecycle and the state of California, is comprised of voluntary members, and is not required to function under the statutory requirements of a legislative or department-created committee. Started as a Task Force in 2006, the group evolved into today’s technical advisory committee and relative subcommittees given the long-term problems associated with illegal dumping. The IDTAC continues to assess the extent and cost of the illegal dumping, while sharing their findings, best practices, and strategies in the Illegal Dumping Resources Toolbox.

2020 Work Plan

The IDTAC identified the need to update its original work plan. The 2020 Work Plan entails developing fresh resources and tools for jurisdictions, communities, contractors, and others to assist in addressing current illegal dumping issues.

Focus Topic
Current: Tools to address illegal dumping through local cooperative efforts
Past: Homeless Encampments and Abandoned Vehicles.

Subcommittees

Subcommittees are comprised of IDTAC members and interested persons who assist the IDTAC on specific illegal dumping issues. Updates on subcommittee activities are provided during IDTAC meetings. To get involved in a subcommittee, please contact the subcommittee chair (see contact info in Committee Member table below) or IllegalDumping@calrecycle.ca.gov.

Get Involved

Attend quarterly meetings (listed below), join a subcommittee, share illegal dumping concerns and content via email or at meetings, contribute to the Illegal Dumping Toolbox, sign up for Illegal Dumping Email Updates (messages), become an IDTAC member, and/or email IllegalDumping@calrecycle.ca.gov to start the conversation of how to get involved.

first - hidden

This panel is set up and hidden to resolve a glitch in the accordion module that leaves open the first panel on page load. By hiding this first one, all other panels on the page will be closed.

Strategy Subcommittee (Chair: Tedd Ward)

Develop strategies for:

  • Guidance for creating and facilitating local and regional partnerships with public agencies, private entities, and/or non-profits
  • Measures for establishing and maintaining cleanup programs
  • Identifying available funding resources
  • Development of benchmarks or methods to gauge program effectiveness
  • Addressing and incorporating environmental justice into programs

Outreach Subcommittee (Chair: Rebecca Richardson)

Develop concepts for:

  • Education and outreach methods for preventing illegal dumping, including measures to facilitate community involvement including reward programs
  • Property owners to address illegal dumping on their property
  • Effective tools for discouraging future incidents
  • Applications to report illegal dumping activities
  • Effective news and social media outreach and involvement to publicize illegal dumping convictions including case studies

Standards Subcommittee (Chair: Larry Sweetser)

Develop standards related to:

  • Cleanups of illegal dumping sites
  • Identify levels for training personnel involved in cleanups
  • Develop consistent data collection criteria
  • Identify guidance for reporting and tracking cleanup costs
  • Updating homeless encampments cleanup guidance
  • Health and safety measures

Enforcement Program Subcommittee (Co-Chairs: Gonzalo Barriga & Vacant)

Develop methods for creating effective enforcement tools including:

  • Available federal, state, local solid waste codes, ordinances, administrative orders, and other measures available as enforcement tools
  • Case studies on effective enforcement and deterrents to illegal dumping
  • Guidance on developing local Illegal Dumping Enforcement Officers and enforcement teams
  • Measures that can hinder implementation of enforcement programs and potential prosecution
  • Examples of how to document evidence successfully.
  • Information on effective surveillance systems

Group addresses general enforcement (program) inquires since many members detail enforcement strategies through other respective organizations. Group promotes training opportunities for the enforcement community and oversees the Toolbox Enforcement webpage.

Quick Links

IDTAC Meetings

Upcoming Technical Advisory Committee Meetings

June 18, 2025, 12:30-3:30 p.m. PDT (Add-to-calendar)

Sign up for Illegal Dumping Email Updates to receive meeting notifications and resources – archive messages stream. IllegalDumping@calrecycle.ca.gov for additions, questions. Meetings are virtual unless otherwise specified.

Past Technical Advisory Committee Meetings

Technical Advisory Committee Members

Contact members by emailing IllegalDumping@calrecycle.ca.gov for the Members Email List. For a list of past advisory committee/task force members and committee history, please see Illegal Dumping Task Force and Technical Advisory Committee History.

Committee MemberAffiliation
Larry Sweetser (Chair)Environmental Services Joint Powers Authority
Gonzalo Barriga (Vice Chair)Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Erin Armstrong, representing Supervisor Nate MileyAlameda County/ Illegal Dumping Task Force
California State Association of Counties
Anayeli Rangel,
Cameron Powers		California Association of Code Enforcement Officers (CACEO)
Jeff Lamoure, Jason PhillippeCalifornia Conference of Directors of Environmental Health (CCDEH)
Sara WeaverCalifornia Conservation Corps Region III
Mark Azzouni,
Benjamin Schiesser		California Hazardous Materials Investigators Association (CHMIA)
Doug Kobold,
Nate Pelczar 		California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC)
Nick LapisCalifornians Against Waste
Mark De BieCalRecycle
Ryan Farrer/Vincent Eesguerra, Choa Vang, Audrey Milligan-Perrish, Walter Yu
Caltrans
• Litter Abatement, Graffiti & Carcass Disposal
• Homelessness/Encampments, Research & Innovation
• Adopt-a-Highway
• Clean California Program Director
Carlos DuqueCity of Elk Grove Public Works, Recycling and Waste
Gary HarrisCity of Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services,
Investigation and Enforcement Division
Avneet MahilCity of Manteca, Solid Waste Association of North America
Eva MannCity of Richmond Code Enforcement
Olympia WilliamsCity of San Jose BeautifySJ Initiative
Tom MattsonCounty Engineers Association of California (CEAC)
Tedd WardDel Norte Solid Waste Management Authority
PendingDistrict Attorney(s)
Christine Flowers/Cecile CarsonKeep California Beautiful
PendingLeague of California Cities
Justine Fallon/Taylor GrimesMattress Recycling Council
Maria FerdinMonterey Illegal Dumping & Litter Task Force
Heidi SanbornNational Stewardship Action Council (NSAC)
Public Member Representative
Garen KazanjianRecology
Veronica PardoResource Recovery Coalition of California
PendingSacramento County
Rob HutselSan Diego River Park Foundation
Jaron Brandon Supervisor Tuolumne County

Resources

For more information contact: Illegal Dumping, IllegalDumping@calrecycle.ca.gov