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California lawmakers adjourned their work early Saturday without commenting on bills that would have made their state the first to partially dispose of single-use containers, as supporters can not overcome lobbying by opponents of the sector.
Two bills, Senate Bill 54 and Supplementary Bill 1080, were designed to eliminate 75% of single-use containers by 2030, reducing the glut of non-marketable plastics throughout Canada. State and laying the foundation for a renovated California recycling industry.
Prior to the dissolution of the bills, the lawyers hoped that California could create a model for reducing waste, including plastic bottles and containers that end up in rivers and oceans.
"We want to show that we can build a model that we can truly evolve in the rest of the world," said Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica), author of SB 54. "We must also show the rest of the world the world that they can and should do something about it. "
The invoices followed China's decision to be more selective about the waste it accepts from the United States, which has created a huge glut of collected plastics and mixed paper, depressing the market for many items. With little revenue, many local governments and states simply ended their recycling programs, choosing to throw previously recyclable items into landfills.
The bill focuses on plastics, an industry that has bypassed recycling standards that other producers, such as glass and paperboard, must meet.
According to the bills, only the United States releases 30 million tons of plastic each year and global plastics production has reached an annual total of 335 million – a figure that is expected to more than triple by 2050.
The lawyers hoped the legislation would support a recycling industry that, at its peak, recycled only a fraction of the collected materials.
"We are only going to see more and more reports of plastics and microplastics invading the environment," said Emily Rusch, Executive Director of CALPIRG. "We want to make sure California is a leader and create a path that the rest of the country can follow."
Allen, who presented SB 54, and member of the assembly, Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), author of AB 1080, sought to slow down the production of virgin plastics and other non-recyclable products. Some industry groups have opposed the focus on production, advocating for exemptions and more stringent requirements.
Legislators and supporters of the bills said they tried to work with all parties while setting waste reduction targets.
"We have proven to be good faith negotiators," said Senator Allen.
The opposition letters submitted earlier this week came from the Grocery Manufacturers Assn., Waste Management Industries such as Athens Services and California Refuse Recycling Council, as well as members of the industries of the Agriculture and glass manufacturing.
Some were concerned about the powers granted to CalRecycle, the entity responsible for monitoring compliance, and the lack of clarity on how the bill would be administered.
"We remain opposed because we believe the bill has fundamental flaws that would prevent it from being implemented," said Shannon Crawford, executive director of government affairs for the Plastics Industry Association.
Over the past few days, the bill's authors have been able to negotiate changes that have garnered support from the California Grocers Assn. and Dow Chemical, and have changed the position of major players such as the American Council of Chemistry, Proctor & Gamble and Walmart, who have abandoned their opposition.
Supporters were frustrated that they could not get the votes at the end of the legislative session.
"I have a personal interest in this project because I'm a father and my family is going to have to live on this planet," said Mark Murray, executive director of Californians Against Waste, a health advocacy organization. nonprofit environment that helped write the bills.
"It's unfortunate that our natural environment is flooded with plastic particles that enter our water and food. It's an embarrassment for our generation. "
In the days leading up to the vote, environmentalists and supporters of the bills tweeted their support, brandishing a #CAMustLead hashtag. Celebrities such as Alicia Silverstone and Jeff Bridges have encouraged residents of California to contact their representatives.
"Californians are frustrated and concerned about the environmental, public health and financial implications of disposable plastic waste," said Geoff Shester, campaign manager for California and senior scientist at Oceana. "Inaction is not an option. We will simply have to redouble our efforts to pass a strong law next year. "
Legislators passed two recycling bills, AB 54 and SB 792, introduced by MP Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), which aimed to support stagnant recycling markets and reduce to 50% the amount authorized virgin plastic in beverage containers by 2030.
AB 54 will provide $ 5 million to fund a mobile recycling pilot project overseen by CalRecycle. Under this bill, five grants will be awarded in areas heavily affected by the closure of RePlanet, the largest recycling center in the state. A subsidy is reserved for a rural area.
The bill will also end, until March 2020, the fines imposed on grocers who are required to recycle beverage containers in areas without recycling centers.
"We have been trying to solve the recycling problem in California for years," said Ting. "AB 54 provides short-term relief while we work in the fall on a more comprehensive solution that can begin to follow the legislative process when we meet again in January."
Originally, the SB 792 required that plastic bottles be made of 100% recycled material by 2035. It was modified to introduce progressive minima, starting with a requirement of 10%. % in 2021 and ceiling at 50% by 2030.
The bill will give CalRecycle the power to adjust the minimum requirements if market conditions prevent companies from reaching them, a compromise designed to facilitate the passage of the bill.
Both bills are now going to the office of Governor Gavin Newsom, who has until October 13 to sign them or veto them.
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