Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2003 09:42:53 -0700 From: "Mark Murray" <murray@no.address>
Governor Davis Signs Beverage Container Recycling Legislation
On Sunday, Governor Davis signed Assembly Bill 28 by Assembly Members Jackson and Pavley and Senators Sher and Burton, which will, among other things increase the refund value on beverage containers to 4 cents (8 cents for containers 24 oz and larger). Additionally, the measure implements a number of other recycling program reforms aimed at boosting recycling rates.
Among those changes:
· Increases quality glass incentive payments for clean, color sorted glass collected at curbside from $25/ton, to $30/ton.
· Allows the Department to calculate a 3-7 plastic commingled rate.
· Initiates a variety of reforms to the process fee provisions, including:
1) Tiered manufacturer fee structure to encourage support for greater recycling;
2) Authorizes mid-year adjustments of processing payments when scrap values change by 5% or more;
3) Provides a roughly $42 million processing fee rebate to beverage manufacturers to compensate or two year overpayment;
4) Provides a roughly $38 million supplemental processing payment to recyclers to compensate for a three year underpayment.
· Increases handling fees from $23,500,000 to $26,500,000.
· Increases litter reduction and recycling program grants from $500,000 to $1.5 million.
· Authorizes $10 million annually, until January 1, 2007, for market development of recycled containers.
· Authorizes up to $10 million to be transferred by the DOC to the Recycling Infrastructure Loan Guarantee Account for new recycling infrastructure.
· Authorizes one year continuation of $300,000 in funding for Keep California Beautiful.
· Authorizes up to $5 million annually for public education.
The adoption of this measure represents a tremendous victory for California recycling. Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible.
Mark Murray, Executive Director Californians Against Waste Phone: 916-443-5422 Fax: 916-443-3912 <www.cawrecycles.htm>www.cawrecycles.org