The document discusses the history of solid waste and recycling legislation and programs in California from 1986 to 2012, including how conservation corps have evolved to collect recyclable materials, operate buy-back centers and materials processing facilities, and train corps members for the recycling industry using funding from the Bottle Bill; it also addresses trends in local governments, the recycling industry, and steps conservation corps can take to transition as Bottle Bill funding decreases, such as collaborating more with industry and exploring new markets.

1. California Association of Local
Conservation Corps
California Solid Waste &
Recycling Historical Overview
1986-2012
&
Transitioning from the
Bottle Bill
September 10, 2012 Presentation by: Dorsey Moore

2. Sustainability for All
Recycling Background & Experience:
1. Denison University Recycling Coordinator
2. City of San Jose – Business Recycling Technician
3. San Jose Conservation Corps – Recycling Director
4. Santa Clara County – Master Composter
5. Presidio Graduate School - Zero Waste Business Plan

3. Background
California Solid Waste & Recycling
Historical Overview (handout)
1. Key legislative drivers
2. Local government trends
3. Industry trends
4. Conservation corps evolution

4. Legislative Drivers
AB2020 – Created Bottle Bill & corps funding
AB939 – Integrated Waste Management Act
AB341 – CalRecycle Plan to get to 75% &
mandatory commercial recycling

5. Local Government Trends
1. Exclusive franchises for garbage & MR
2. Long-term contracts
3. Contract out services to private sector
4. Focusing on final third of waste stream
(food waste, compostables & specialty
items)
5. Do not have staff to enforce AB341

6. Recycling Industry Trends
1. Mostly garbage companies
2. Will do the minimum amount to comply
with AB341 (recycle because they have
to)
3. Large scale/volume is important
4. Price is the dominant client motivator
5. Increasing use of technology & automation
6. Material quality is increasingly important

7. Overview of Conservation
Corps Recycling Programs
1. Innovative in early 1990’s
2. Fulfilling unmet need
3. Social & environmental dual mission
4. Training for recycling industry

8. Uses of Bottle Bill Funding
1. Litter abatement
2. Collect recyclable materials
3. Operate buy back centers
4. Operate materials processing centers
5. Train corpsmembers for industry
6. Collaboration with industry
7. Collaboration with local government

9. Uses of Bottle Bill Funding
Litter Abatement
1. Highway clean-ups
2. Beach and river clean-ups
3. Urban beautification

10. Uses of Bottle Bill Funding
Collect Recyclable Materials
1. Businesses, schools, NPOs, government
2. Parks, litter/recycling modules
3. Large institutions
4. Event venues
5. Special events
6. Multi-family dwellings

11. Uses of Bottle Bill Funding
Collect Recyclable Materials
1. CRV beverage containers
2. Other containers
3. Fiber/paper
4. Specialty materials: oil, tires, eWaste
5. Organics

12. Uses of Bottle Bill Funding
Operate Materials Processing Centers
1. Sorting equipment & systems
2. Bulk material handling
3. Prepare materials for market

13. Uses of Bottle Bill Funding
Operate Buy Back Centers
1. Permanent
2. Periodic

14. Uses of Bottle Bill Funding
Train Corpsmembers for Industry
1. General recycling industry knowledge
2. Materials processing centers
3. Collection
drivers

15. Uses of Bottle Bill Funding
Collaborate with Industry
1. Collection of materials
2. Materials processing
3. Special event recycling
4. Waste audits
5. Bin distribution
6. Community education

16. Uses of Bottle Bill Funding
Collaborate with Local Governments
1. Collection of materials
2. Materials processing
3. Special event recycling/zero waste
4. Waste audits
5. Community education (culturally competent)
6. Special projects (e.g., home compost bin
distribution)

17. Question #1:
What percentage of all CRV beverage
containers do conservation corps
collect?
1. 30.10%
2. 20.65%
3. 10.33%
4. 5.25%
5. 0.13% #5 is the correct answer

18. Question #2:
What percentage of all
Collection/Drop-off & Community
Service Programs CRV beverage
containers do corps collect?
1. 60.12%
2. 30.75%
3. 6.51% #3 is the correct answer
4. 1.17%

19. Question #3:
What percentage of all CalRecycle
operating revenue* do
conservation corps receive?
1. 18.48% #1 is the correct answer
2. 12.63%
3. 8.87% * Operating revenue includes funds
remaining in budge after redemption pay
outs.
4. 2.50%

20. Transitioning from
Bottle Bill Funding

21. Transitioning from Bottle Bill
Step 1:
Understand what you do now
1. Operations
2. Financial (income & expenses)
3. Overhead contribution
4. Efficiency metrics (cost/ton)
5. Earned income streams
6. Value you provide to clients

22. Transitioning from Bottle Bill
Step 2:
Understand Local SW&R Ecosystem
1. Local government goals & programs
2. Regulations
3. Industry players (collectors & processors)
4. Facilities
5. Price points for recycling services

23. Transitioning from Bottle Bill
Step 3:
Explore Making Adjustments
1. Operations
2. Financial (Income & Expenses)
3. Overhead contribution
4. Efficiency metrics (cost/ton)
5. Earned income streams
6. Value you provide to clients

24. Transitioning from Bottle Bill
Step 4:
Collaboration with Industry
1. Collection
2. Processing
3. Special events
4. Community education
5. Co-branding

25. Transitioning from Bottle Bill
Step 5:
Can you pivot into another market?
1. Related markets:
– Consumer battery collection
– Food waste collection
1. Completely new niche:
– Distributing home compost bins
– Manufacturing recycling bins

26. Transitioning from Bottle Bill
Preparing for the end
1. Start early (now)
2. Develop the team
3. Get a handle on your data
4. Bad news is good news

27. Data Management Systems

28. Questions & Discussion
Thank You!
Contact Information:
Dorsey Moore
Sustainability for All
dorsey@sustainabilityforall.com
408-439-6653
www.sustainabilityforall.com