RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Receive Integrated Waste Management /Regional Agency Update.

SBC FILE NUMBER: 142

The County’s Integrated Waste Management (IWM) Division is the Lead Agency for the IWM Regional Agency JPA whose members are the County and the Cities of Hollister and San Juan Bautista. Per the JPA and JPA Cost Sharing Agreement, the County is responsible for managing, staffing, contract administration/oversight, budgeting, grant programs, and compliance reporting to meet state mandates AB 939, AB 341, AB 1826, SB 1383 and other solid waste/HHW mandates for Regional Agency members. Contract administration for the Recology franchise agreement is also managed by IWM for the Regional Agency members. IWM manages household hazardous waste programs that include monthly collection events, medical/sharps disposal collection contracts and a Green Business program. IWM also manages compliance /oversight for the John Smith landfill Operating Agreement with WCI, the landfill enterprise fund and manages compliance and reporting for the Non-Exclusive Franchise Agreement.

Top priorities for IWM:  

• Meet the JPA and Cost Sharing Agreement requirements as Lead Agency for the Regional Agency Members

• Meet solid waste management state mandates AB 939, AB 341, AB 1826 and other mandates 

• Hire/train IWM staff to build county staff in-house expertise for IWM (ongoing challenge of staff turnover is issue)
• Manage Franchise Agreement compliance
• Manage Landfill Operating Agreement compliance

• Provide technical expertise for CalGreen (C&D diversion) code compliance requirements

• Manage Non-Exclusive Franchise Agreement compliance and reporting

• Manage Green Business Program and grant program

• Develop cost-effective programs for residents and businesses to increase recycling, increase participation and provide safe disposal of medical, hazardous waste  

Recent IWM Accomplishments:

1.     Completed successful competitive procurement (RFP) for franchise agreement for recycling, organics, garbage collection for 3 Regional Agency members.

Results: Provide cost-effective services and programs to meet state mandates through competitive procurement for Regional Agency members

2.     Developed new franchise agreement with incentives to meet state mandates to include:

• New free services for residents: compost giveaways, free e-waste recycling /shred event
• New diversion performance incentive to meet state laws (AB 939)
• New organics collection for residents and businesses (AB 341 and AB 1826)
• New recycling/organics collection at community events 

Results: Significant increase in diversion rate in early diversion reports

3.     Completed CalRecycle Compliance reporting on state mandates: AB 939, AB 341, AB 1826 and provided on site audit from CalRecycle state agency staff.

Results: Improved diversion compliance

4.     Participation in statewide Green Business Program with grant funds. Successes include:

• 29 businesses enrolled in Green Business Program
• Held successful Green Business event with over 45 attendees in partnership with Chamber of Commerce
• Increased partnership with community organizations and businesses
• Providing economic development to our businesses thorough reduced operating costs

Results: Helping businesses reduce operating costs and provide grants and available funding resources

5.     Saved County over $225,000 from our corrections to landfill operator’s Change in Law requests.

Results: ongoing analysis and monitoring saves County money and provides needed oversight

6.      Prepared draft local processing infrastructure feasibility study to provide summary of options for the Board of Supervisors to consider (pending).

Results: Provide the Board with essential data to make decisions for local processing of materials

7.     Significant Outreach/Education to Residents includes new Earth Day Event in partnership with Recology/community partners: scheduled for April 20th to include Recology Environmental Day, compost giveaway, announcing 2019 School Art Poster Contest winners. Developed event partners: Chamber, Hollister Hills, San Benito County Arts Council, Water Resources Association, REACH, etc.

Results: Free events and resources help residents participate in programs and increase diversion and awareness of safe disposal.

8.     Provide technical expertise to Landfill Ad hoc Committee; managed study to quantify impacts on out-of-County waste on County roads to the John Smith landfill. Completing ongoing Disposal Capacity Report review to monitor the County’s 15-year disposal capacity at the landfillfor in-County users.

Results: Provide data to Ad hoc Committee and Board of Supervisors regarding accuracy of impacts from out of county tonnage on county roads as well as provide accuracy in disposal capacity reporting for in-county users. 

9.     Providing resources to schools and improved recycling opportunities for schools (draft policies, free internal recycling containers, etc.)

Results: improved diversion and more resources for schools 

10.  Added new free recycling programs for residents including free mattress recycling program in partnership with WCI at landfill and added new carpet recycling in partnership with RJR.

Results: new free programs help reduce illegal dumping and save residents money

11.  Improved compliance/ reporting from non-exclusive franchised haulers to increase diversion to meet state recycling mandates and increase revenue to jurisdictions.

Results: increased revenue to jurisdictions and compliance reporting

12.  Improved C&D Recycling Program for compliance with CalGreen code 65% diversion requirement.  

Results: Ensure new developments in San Benito County meet CalGreen code requirements (65% diversion) to reduce waste to landfill  

13.  Expanding free collection of pharmaceuticals /controlled substances for residents in partnership with county department and CPSC non-profit using new grant funds from state.

Results: Provide residents with free options to safely dispose of pharmaceuticals to keep medicines out of sewer systems/waterways and from illegal/unsafe use of pharmaceuticals  

Receive Integrated Waste Management /Regional Agency Update.