California Diversion Rate ClimbsCalifornia Diversion Rate Climbs

Lynn Schenkman

Sacramento, Calif. – The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) has confirmed the state diverted 48 percent of its waste stream from landfills in 2002. The Board says that amounts to 34 million tons as a result of curbside recycling, material recovery facilities, composting operations and public education efforts. Local governments of cities and counties currently are verifying the numbers but are more than 80 percent complete. The task to ensure an accurate count began in February 2002.

While the state’s overall diversion rate is at 48 percent, some jurisdictions, such as Blue Lake in Humboldt County, are up to 91 percent. The Integrated Waste Management Act took effect in 1990 and required every local jurisdiction to divert 50 percent of its waste from landfills beginning in 2000.