San Diego -- If a San Diego proposal is approved, city contractors would have to pay mandatory deposits on construction and demolition projects. The proposal, aimed at reducing the amounts of stone, wood and concrete in regional landfills, would allow contractors’ money to be returned if materials were properly documented. If not, the money would fund the city’s cash-strapped waste-reduction program.
Under the program, deposits would be paid when filing city building permits. If it is approved by the city’s natural resources committee, the plan will go into effect in 2006. San Diego officials estimate that almost 400,000 tons of construction debris ends up in the city’s landfill each year.