BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 900
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 27, 2011
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Felipe Fuentes, Chair
AB 900 (Swanson) - As Amended: May 10, 2011
Policy Committee: Education
Vote:7-3
Natural Resources 6-1
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY
This bill authorizes a school district to provide recycling and
composting bins on each elementary and secondary school campus.
Specifically, this bill:
Authorizes a school district to determine the number of bins to
be located on a campus on the basis of the size of both the
pupil population and the surface area of that campus.
FISCAL EFFECT
GF/98 cost pressure, likely between $150,000 and $300,000, to
school districts to have beverage recycling and compositing bins
on schoolsites, as specified. These costs will likely increase
depending on the number of bins each schoolsite needs. There are
9,878 schoolsites in the state.
COMMENTS
1)Purpose . In 2003, the California Integrated Waste Management
Board (CIWB) conducted a survey of school districts to assess
their level of efforts in implementing waste reduction
programs. Forty-two percent of school districts responded to
the survey, representing 55% of all schools. The survey found
that "92% of districts appear to be participating in some
level of recycling programs. Of the districts that reported
participating in recycling activities, the most commonly
recycled materials include: aluminum cans, white paper, and
AB 900
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cardboard. Based upon survey results, implementation of a
formalized district-wide recycling program appears to relate
to school district size. A greater percentage of larger school
districts reported having the district coordinate
district-wide recycling activities as well as having a service
contract for collection of recyclables than reported by
smaller districts."
According to the author, the bill is the result of his "There
Ought to Be A Law" contest submission by a student from
Piedmont High School. Specifically, the author contends that
making recycling and composting bins available at public
elementary and secondary schools will allow the state "to
benefit from the reused materials and our planet's over
extended landfills will not be further compromised."
2)Current law encourages school districts to maintain a paper
recycling program in all classrooms, administrative offices,
and other school district property. School districts are also
encouraged to purchase recycled paper and eliminate the
purchase of paper and paper products that could be potential
contaminants of the district's recycling program. Pursuant to
statutory requirements, the CIWMB maintains on its Internet
website information on school waste reduction and provides
suggestions to school districts on how they can initiate a
wide range of waste reduction and recycling efforts, including
environmentally friendly purchasing policies, paper reduction,
food disposal, textbook recycling, beverage container
recycling, and green school facilities.
In 2000, the CIWMB approved the release of a request for
proposals to solicit partnership projects with local
jurisdictions and/or school districts designed to divert food
scraps generated at high-volume sites. The CIWMB made several
awards with no individual project funded in excess of $50,000.
According to CalRecycle (formerly CIWMB), the Davis Joint
Unified School District received an award and piloted
comprehensive food waste diversion projects at three
elementary schools. Two schools reduced their total waste
stream by at least 40%. The third school has the potential to
decrease its waste stream by 20% if the program continues. The
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programs included: recycling and the collection of organic
waste for on-site composting and vermicomposting systems. The
contract accomplished the goals of integrating the composting
and vermicomposting systems into the school garden program, as
part of a larger farm-to-school vision.
3)Previous legislation . AB 747 (Emmerson) authorized and
encouraged school districts and each campus of the University
of California, California State University, and the California
Community Colleges (CCC) to establish and maintain a beverage
container recycling program in all classrooms, administrative
offices, and other areas owned or leased by the school
district or campuses where a significant quantity of beverage
containers is generated or may be collected. This bill was
held in the Senate Rules Committee in May 2009.
Analysis Prepared by : Kimberly Rodriguez / APPR. / (916)
319-2081