Diversion Programs to Report

In each reporting year, state agencies must select which diversion programs to report, and describe how programs are implemented. This list of materials and program activities is offered to help state agencies prepare for the annual report.

Recycling

Recycling is the practice of collecting and diverting materials from the waste stream for remanufacturing into new products, such as recycled-content paper. The programs listed reflect this practice.

The annual report will ask you to identify the materials that are collected for recycling at your facility/facilities and provide details describing your recycling activities.

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  • Beverage containers
  • Glass Plastics (#3-7)
  • Carpet
  • Cardboard
  • Newspaper
  • Office paper (white)
  • Office paper (mixed)
  • Confidential shredded paper
  • Copier/toner cartridges
  • Scrap metal
  • Wood waste
  • Textiles
  • Ash Sludge (sewage/industrial)
  • Tires
  • White goods
  • Construction materials/debris
  • Rendering
  • Other
  • None

Information About Hazardous Waste Materials

These following materials are deemed as hazardous, and cannot be disposed in a landfill. Proper handling is required and does not count as diversion. These hazardous materials are regulated by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). Please see the DTSC website for their disposal guidelines.

  • Universal Waste: Radios, stereo equipment, printers, VCR/DVD players, calculators, cell phones, telephones, answering machines, microwave ovens, cathode ray tubes, cathode ray glass, all types of batteries, lamps (compact fluorescent lightbulbs, commercial fluorescent lights), mercury containing equipment, non-empty aerosol cans (containing propane, butane pesticides), and other common electronic devices.
  • Electronic Waste: Common electronic devices that are identified as hazardous waste, such as computers and central processing units (CPU), laptops, monitors and televisions, etc.
  • Additional hazardous wastes should be properly managed: antifreeze, asbestos, paint, treated wood, used oil, etc.

Organics Recycling

In October of 2014 Governor Brown signed AB 1826 Chesbro (Chapter 727, Statutes of 2014), requiring businesses, including State Agencies, to recycle their organic waste on and after April 1, 2016, depending on the amount of organic waste they generate per week. This law also requires that on and after January 1, 2016, local jurisdictions across the state implement an organic waste recycling program to divert organic waste generated by businesses, including State Agencies that meet the progressive thresholds. Learn more about AB 1826 and Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling.

Programs that increase diversion of organic materials from landfill disposal for beneficial uses such as compost, mulch, and energy production.

The annual report will ask you to identify the organic materials, how they are diverted by your facility/facilities, and provide details describing your organics recycling programs.

  • Xeriscaping (climate appropriate landscaping)
  • Grasscycling
  • Green Waste–On-site composting and mulching
  • Green Waste–Self-haul
  • Green Waste–Commercial pickup
  • Food scraps–On-site composting and mulching
  • Food scraps–Self-haul
  • Food scraps–Commercial pickup
  • Other

Material Exchange

Programs that promote the exchange and reuse of unwanted or surplus materials. The reuse of materials/products results in the conservation of energy, raw resources, landfill space, and the reduction of green house gas emissions, purchasing costs, and disposal costs.

The annual report will ask you to identify your agency/facility’s efforts to donate or exchanges materials, supplies, equipment, etc., and provide details describing your material exchange activities.

  • Nonprofit/school donations
  • Internal property reutilizations
  • State surplus (accepted by DGS)
  • Used book exchange/buy backs
  • Employee supplies exchange
  • Other

Waste Prevention/Reuse

Programs in this section support (a) waste prevention: actions or choices that reduce waste, and prevent the generation of waste in the first place; and (b) reuse: using an object or material again, either for its original purpose or for a similar purpose, without significantly altering the physical form of the object or material.

The annual report will ask you to select the common waste prevention and reuse activities implemented at your facility/facilities, and provide details describing your waste prevention and reuse programs.

  • Paper forms reduction–online forms
  • Bulletin boards
  • Remanufactured toner cartridges
  • Retreaded/Recapped tires
  • Washable/Reusable cups, service ware
  • Reusable boxes
  • Reusable pallets
  • Reusable slip sheets
  • Electronic document storage
  • Intranet
  • Reuse of office furniture, equipment & supplies
  • Reuse of packing materials
  • Reuse of construction/remodeling materials
  • Double-sided copies
  • Email vs. paper memos
  • Food Donation
  • Electric air hand-dryers
  • Remanufactured equipment
  • Rags made from waste cloth or reusable rags
  • Preventative maintenance
  • Used vehicle parts
  • Used Tires
  • Other
  • None

Green Procurement

Programs that promote green purchasing practices, including the purchase of goods and materials that are made from recycled or less harmful ingredients such as, postconsumer recycled content copy paper or less toxic cleaning products. View sample policies and the Department of General Services Buying Green website.

The annual report will ask you to identify how your agency is closing the recycling loop (such as buying post-consumer recycled content products), and provide details describing your procurement programs/policies and the types of green products your agency is procuring. View SABRC Report

  • Recycled Content Product (RCP) procurement policy
  • Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) procurement policy
  • Staff procurement training regarding RCP/EPP practices
  • RCP/EPP language included in procurement contracts for products and materials
  • Other green procurement activities

Training and Education

Programs to reduce trash, re-use, recycle, compost, and to buy green products are more effective when employees are aware, involved and motivated. How does your agency train and educate employees, and non-employees (if applicable) regarding existing waste management and recycling programs?

The annual report will ask you to identify how your agency trains and educates employees, and non-employees (if applicable) regarding efforts to reduce waste, reuse, recycle, compost, and buy green products, and explain how you also educate your suppliers, customers, and/or your community about your efforts to reduce, reuse, recycle, compost, and buy recycled products.

  • Web page (intranet or internet)
  • Signage (signs, posters, including labels for recycling bins)
  • Brochures, flyers, newsletters, publications, newspaper articles/ads
  • Office recycling guide, fact sheets
  • New employee package
  • Outreach (internal/external) e.g. environmental fairs
  • Seminars, workshops, special speakers
  • Employee incentives, competitions/prizes
  • Awards program
  • Press releases
  • Employee training
  • Waste audits, waste evaluations/surveys
  • Special recycling/reuse events
  • Other

Please contact your CalRecycle local assistance representative for individual assistance.

For more information contact: Recycling Coordinator, SARC@calrecycle.ca.gov, or Buy Recycled Campaign, SABRC@calrecycle.ca.gov.