AB 939 Compliance and Diversion Rates

The management of solid waste has become a major issue in the County of Orange and throughout the country. Not only are we producing an increasing amount of solid waste each year, but we are also running out of places to put it. Because of the concern about water and air pollution associated with landfills and the desire to preserve the remaining canyons in the area as open spaces, the opportunities to develop additional needed disposal capacity is limited here in Orange County.

To address these issues, the governor of California signed Assembly Bill (AB) 939 into law on September 29, 1989. The law established the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) and set forth aggressive solid waste diversion requirements. By 1995 each city/county was to divert a minimum of 25 percent of its waste stream from landfills. By the year 2000, 50 percent of the waste stream was to be diverted.

The city of Huntington Beach surpassed the mandated benchmarks set by the state and in 2000 (the latest reporting year) had a diversion rate of 67%. This was the second highest rate in the county.

The city works diligently to ensure a great quality of life for all Huntington Beach residents. One way of achieving this is through the city’s efforts to scrutinize its waste stream very closely. Waste comes in many forms. One form is litter which is abated through clean up efforts and lifted from our streets by our twice a month street sweeping program. Both commercial and residential units within the city generate trash. Vector and odor control is achieved through monitoring of commercial and residential trash containment, placement and collection. Hazardous materials, which can be accidentally spilled, is another element of waste which is handled by the Public Works Department. Household Hazardous Waste is managed through the County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center located within the city’s boundaries and monitored by city staff.

Additional information on diversion and recycling are available on the California Integrated Waste Management Board web site at www.ciwmb.ca.gov.