Next Steps
In April or May, the
County Board of Supervisors will be making some hard decisions about the
future of our garbage. Thanks to
the efforts of our Local Task Force for Solid Waste (LTF), “Maximize
Diversion through Zero Waste Policies” is now the highest rated
alternative.
But exporting out of county is still very
popular in some circles. Some
of us are concerned that the Supervisors may select export as the
quicker more expedient route.
Where are we now and how far can we go? We
are currently in compliance with AB 939, California’s mandated 50%
landfill diversion goal. In 2001,
the California Integrated Waste Management Board, the state agency that
manages solid waste, increased that goal to 75% and adopted a Zero Waste
Philosophy.
We think Sonoma County can meet and beat these
goals. For example, nearly 46% of our residential waste stream
currently being landfilled is food, plant debris and possibly
contaminated paper. Most, if not
all of these, are organics that could be composted in our current
composting program. An expanded
composting program is being considered as well as mandatory recycling,
landfill bans, product bans, product stewardship, research and
development and last but certainly not least public education.
How can you help? Read the entire ZWSC
website and tell your friends and neighbors about the upcoming opportunity.
If you are part of a community group, brief the leadership and prepare
them for the letter writing campaign. In the very near future, we
will list some suggested actions and sample documents.● |