[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Nick Lapis
Policy Associate
Californians Against Waste

Californians Against Waste strongly supports the Air Resources Board’s decision to include landfill gas capture as one of the 3 discrete Early Action Measures (EAMs) that will be implemented by January 1st, 2010. However, by focusing on controlling the small number of landfills that do not have gas capture systems, the Board missed an opportunity to achieve other substantial and cost-effective greenhouse gas reductions from the waste sector.

Ton for ton, recycling reduces more pollution, saves more energy and reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions more than any other solid waste management option. Despite a robust materials collection infrastructure, Californians disposed over 42 million tons of solid waste in 2004. Over 60% of these materials were recyclable, and, when disposed, they generated very significant greenhouse gas emissions. A modest 25% reduction in disposal of materials commonly collected in curbside programs could deliver 5 MMTCO2E of GHG reductions, an amount equal to over a million cars not being driven every year.