BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 525
SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Senator S. Joseph Simitian, Chairman
2011-2012 Regular Session
BILL NO: AB 525
AUTHOR: Gordon
AMENDED: April 25, 2011
FISCAL: Yes HEARING DATE: June 20, 2011
URGENCY: No CONSULTANT: Caroll
Mortensen
SUBJECT : WASTE TIRE RECYCLING
SUMMARY :
Existing law :
1) Requires the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery
(DRRR) to adopt a "5 Year Plan" to establish goals and
priorities for the management of waste tires in California
funded with a fee on new tires sold in California. (Public
Resources Code �42885.5).
2) Authorizes DRRR to offer a variety of grant, loan, and
education programs to clean up illegally dumped tires and
increase collection and reduce landfilling of waste tires.
(�42873).
This bill :
1) Establishes a program to provide funding to local
jurisdictions for the use of rubberized asphalt concrete
(RAC) and tire derived aggregate (TDA) for road projects.
2) Provides for at least 16% of funding from the Tire Fund to
be used for these purposes.
3) Sunsets the program on June 15, 2015.
COMMENTS :
1.Purpose of Bill . According to the author, tires represent
one of the largest and most problematic in California's
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waste stream. Whole used tires, due to their shape and
buoyancy, have a tendency to migrate upwards when
landfilled, puncturing holes in lining and cells and
otherwise undermining the integrity of the landfill
structure. As a result, their disposal in landfills
throughout California has been banned.
2.Background . For 2008, California generated approximately 44
million used tires. Of those approximately 22 million were
recycled; 7.5 million were used for tire-derived fuel, 2.2
million were used as landfill cover, and 12.3 million were
disposed of in landfills.
Rubberized Asphalt Concrete (RAC) made from waste tires
represents one of the most promising and beneficial end uses
for tires. In addition to creating markets for used tires,
roadways paved with RAC have been found to be safer, last
longer and be more cost effective than ordinary asphalt.
The Rubberized Asphalt Concrete Technology Center reports
that a two-inch RAC resurfacing project uses over 2,000
waste tires and can save as much as $22,000 per lane mile
over conventional asphalt.
Tire Derived Aggregate (TDA) is made from shredded scrap
tires and is used in a wide range of construction projects.
These uses include retaining wall backfill, lightweight
embankment fill, landslide stabilization, vibration
mitigation, and various landfill applications.
Focusing a portion of tire recycling funds on grants for
local agency RAC and TDA projects represents useful and cost
effective means of both addressing California's waste tire
problem as well as reducing the long-term cost of
resurfacing, road building, and construction projects.
Looking at the 16% funding level set forth in this bill
might have value to see if that is the correct level given
the addition of TDA and in relation to the rest of the
market development activities.
3.Related Legislation . AB 525 reestablishes similar program
that was added by SB 1346 (Kuehl) Chapter 671, Statutes of
2002, extended by SB 369 (Simitian) Chapter 300, Statutes of
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2006 (which sunset on June 30, 2010). The previous statute
gave important support for the use of RAC by local
jurisdictions. AB 525 adds TDA projects, as well as RAC, to
the grant program. DRRR does have the authority to provide
grants for RAC and TDA, but this bill will specifically
require a minimum level of funding.
SOURCE : Californians Against Waste
SUPPORT : California Resource Recovery Association
California State Association of Counties
City of Lakewood
City and County of San Francisco
CRM Company
Regional Council of Rural Counties
Republic Services, Inc.
OPPOSITION : Rubber Manufacturers Association