BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 900
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 900 (Swanson)
As Amended May 10, 2011
Majority vote
EDUCATION 7-3 NATURAL RESOURCES 6-1
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|Ayes:|Brownley, Ammiano, |Ayes:|Chesbro, Brownley, |
| |Buchanan, | |Dickinson, |
| |Bonilla, Carter, Eng, | |Huffman, Monning, Skinner |
| |Williams | | |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Norby, Hagman, Halderman |Nays:|Knight |
| | | | |
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APPROPRIATIONS 12-5
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|Ayes:|Fuentes, Blumenfield, | | |
| |Bradford, Charles | | |
| |Calderon, Campos, Davis, | | |
| |Gatto, Hall, Hill, Lara, | | |
| |Mitchell, Solorio | | |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Harkey, Donnelly, | | |
| |Nielsen, Norby, Wagner | | |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Authorizes school districts to provide recycling and
composting bins on the campus of each public elementary and
secondary school. Specifies that composting bins may be
provided to the extent to which a collection service is
available in the geographical area of the school, or if a school
is able to maintain a school garden or vermicompost. Authorizes
school districts to determine the number of bins to be located
on a campus based on the size of the pupil population and the
surface area of that campus.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, General Fund/Proposition 98 cost pressure, likely
between $150,000 and $300,000. The costs will likely increase
AB 900
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depending on the number of bins each schoolsite needs. There
are 9,878 schoolsites in the state.
COMMENTS : According to the California Statewide Waste
Characterization Study (December, 1999), education, as an
industry, produces 763,917 tons of waste per year, comprised
predominantly of organic materials (food, leaves and grass) and
paper products. School waste reduction programs can have
economic, environmental and educational benefits.
Current law expresses the intent of the Legislature that schools
contribute to the efforts to assist local governmental entities
in reducing waste reduction and meeting recycling mandates.
Current law encourages school districts to maintain recycling
programs and specifically, 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
California's Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery
(CalRecycle), formerly the California Integrated Waste
Management Board (CIWMB), maintains on its Web site information
on school waste reduction and offers resources and information
on how school districts 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 2003, the CIWMB, pursuant to SB 373 (Torlakson), Chapter 926,
Statutes of 2001, 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
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
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collection of recyclables than reported by smaller districts."
The survey also indicated that 44% of school districts had some
type of composting program, with the most common type of
composting material being grass clippings, landscape trimmings
and garden trimmings.
This bill authorizes school districts to provide all elementary
and secondary schoolsites with recycling bins and composting
bins, to the extent feasible. Maintaining recycling programs
entails more than just obtaining bins. Depending on the type of
recycling (paper, beverage containers, glass, plastic, aluminum,
etc.), school districts will have to arrange for collection of
the recycled materials with various types of collection
agencies.
Composting is the process through which organic materials such
as leaves, grass and food scraps are decomposed into soil-like
material. There are a variety of composting systems. According
to the CalRecyle, food scraps composting is different than other
types of composting. "Food scraps can be heavier and contain
more putrescible material than yard trimmings and must be
handled appropriately. To avoid odor or health and safety
concerns, it should be collected and composted in a timely and
efficient manner. A frequent collection schedule must be
followed." It is also important to ensure that nonacceptable
food scraps such as meat waste, fish waste, and dairy products
are kept out of composting bins. These type of food waste
breakdown slowly and create an imbalance in the otherwise
nutrient-rich structure of other food and vegetation. The
challenges for schools in maintaining a composting program
include locating the space that is required to compost material
or locating service providers for regular collection. The City
of San Francisco has a mandatory composting law and provides
composting bins free to city residents. The garbage collection
company collects composting material on a weekly basis and
transfers the material to food scrap compost facilities to
convert into compost. According to the CalRecycle, only nine of
California's 58 counties have authorized facilities to accept
food scraps, although some of those companies may provide
service to neighboring counties. Food scrap composting can also
be incorporated into a school garden program; however, not all
schools have gardens, especially urban schools where land is
scarce.
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According to the author, this bill is a result of a "There Ought
to be A Law" contest held by Assembly Member Swanson. This
proposal came from a student from Piedmont High School.
Analysis Prepared by : Sophia Kwong Kim / ED. / (916) 319-2087
FN: 0000876