Date: June 23, 2011
Source: California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery
California reported a slightly lower volume of waste disposal in 2010 than in the previous year, according to the latest data published by the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). The agency said that the modest drop from 31.1 million tons in 2009 to 30.4 million tons in 2010 could be explained by a small decrease in the population since per capita disposal rates remained unchanged at 4.5 pounds per person per day. “Economic factors coupled with effective recycling programs contributed to the reduced amount of trash entering landfills in 2010,” CalRecycle Acting Director Mark Leary said. According to the report, the commercial sector generates nearly 70 percent of all waste accepted by California landfills, with 29 percent of that amount from construction and demolition materials. Although the number of residential construction permits increased in 2010 from 2009, new construction remained 73 percent below the historical average.
PRESS RELEASE
June, 24, 2011
SACRAMENTO--California saw a modest reduction in statewide trash disposal in 2010 according to data announced today by the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). Despite the minor dip from 31.1 million tons in 2009 to 30.4 million tons last year, the state’s disposal rate of 4.5 pounds of trash per person per day is unchanged, due to a small drop in population using preliminary 2010 census data.
“Economic factors coupled with effective recycling programs contributed to the reduced amount of trash entering landfills in 2010,” CalRecycle Acting Director Mark Leary said. “This data underscores the value Californians place on environmental stewardship and the commitment of local communities to divert valuable resources away from the dump and toward new uses.”
CalRecycle calculates California’s disposal rate on a yearly basis as a tool to help local communities meet waste reduction and recycling goals. Ongoing lulls in construction, manufacturing, and purchasing account for much of the state’s record-low waste disposal numbers. The commercial sector generates nearly 70 percent of all waste accepted by landfills, with 29 percent of that amount from construction and demolition materials. Although the number of residential construction permits increased in 2010 from 2009, new construction remained 73 percent below the historical average.
When the economy recovers, the state’s recycling effort will be challenged once again, as strong economies generally result in more waste generation. To prepare for this challenge, and to strengthen California’s recycling commitment and environmental leadership, CalRecycle is actively working on measures to expand commercial recycling, increase recycling of the largest components of the waste stream, and further policies such as extended producer responsibility to assign responsibility for product end-of-life management.
Many California cities and counties are also continuing to explore ways to maintain and exceed waste diversion requirements. To prepare for the larger waste stream that a growing economy and population is likely to produce, CalRecycle emphasizes the need for all California communities, including those currently meeting their Integrated Waste Management Act (AB 939) diversion requirement, to continue to develop and implement aggressive recycling and waste management programs.
To learn more about California’s historical per capita and statewide waste disposal rates, visit www.CalRecycle.ca.gov. The chart below shows recycling and population data from 1995 through 2010.
| Year | Disposal (million tons) |
Population (million) |
Per Resident Disposal (lbs/resident/day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 30.4 | 37.2 | 4.5 |
| 2009 | 31.1 | 38.3 | 4.5 |
| 2008 | 35.5 | 37.9 | 5.1 |
| 2007 | 39.3 | 37.5 | 5.7 |
| 2006 | 41.4 | 37.1 | 6.1 |
| 2005 | 42.5 | 36.7 | 6.3 |
| 2004 | 41.3 | 36.2 | 6.2 |
| 2003 | 40.2 | 35.7 | 6.2 |
| 2002 | 38.2 | 35.1 | 6 |
| 2001 | 38.1 | 34.4 | 6.1 |
| 2000 | 38.6 | 33.7 | 6.3 |
| 1999 | 37.4 | 33.1 | 6.2 |
| 1998 | 37.2 | 32.7 | 6.2 |
| 1997 | 35.2 | 32.2 | 6 |
| 1996 | 33.8 | 31.8 | 5.8 |
| 1995 | 34.2 | 31.6 | 5.9 |
CalRecycle is the state's leading authority on recycling, waste reduction, and product reuse. CalRecycle plays an important role in the stewardship of California's vast resources and promotes innovation in technology to encourage economic and environmental sustainability. For more information, visit www.calrecycle.ca.gov.
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