Celebrating 50 Percent Reduction at Puente Hills!

On this page you will find quotes from speakers heard at the event, as well as press coverage.

Margo Reid Brown, Chair of the Integrated Waste Management Board
"I am proud of how California has once again shown the nation what can be done through perseverance and ingenuity, achieving this goal required a long-term commitment from all sectors of private and public enterprises. I deeply appreciate what has been accomplished."

Billie Greer, Governor’s Office, Director Los Angeles Office
"This is a significant accomplishment, impact to landfills is reduced while protecting the environment and growing the economy at the same time. Solid Waste Disposal! Hasta La Vista Waste!"

Wayne Nastri, United States Environmental Protection Agency Region IX, Regional Administrator
"What a great job and leadership we owe a debt of gratitude. California is a part of everyone else and setting the vision, you have done it through perseverance. Nevada is not even at 10 percent, California is reusing at over 50 percent--this is unparalleled."

Press Coverage

Californians Now Recycle Half of Their Trash
Los Angeles Times Story: August 25, 2006
A 16-year state campaign to divert more waste from dumps has hit its goal. As a result, no new landfills have opened in a decade. State officials announced Thursday that California has finally achieved its goal of reducing landfill waste by 50 percent, thanks to diligent recycling by residents and businesses.

Recycling helps California reduce landfill waste by 50 percent
Riverside Press Enterprise (Associated Press)

LOS ANGELES--A 16-year campaign to persuade Californians to separate recyclables out of their trash has helped the state reach its goal of reducing landfill waste by 50 percent, officials said.

As a result, no new landfills have opened in the state in a decade, said Jon Myers, a spokesman for the state's Integrated Waste Management Board.

Amid fears that California was running out of space for trash, state lawmakers approved legislation in 1989 mandating that communities establish waste-management plans for residents and businesses that would ultimately divert at least 50 percent of all recyclable trash from landfills.

The state was projected to reach the goal in 2000, but preliminary data released Thursday show that the goal wasn't reached until last year.

A total of 88 million tons of solid waste was recycled in 2005 for a 52 percent recycling rate, Myers said. In 2004, 76 million tons, or 48 percent, of waste were recycled.

The recycling effort got off to a slow start, in part because it focused largely on recycling household waste. But officials said efforts improved when businesses agreed - or were required - to recycle.

Increasingly, Myers said, businesses are realizing the cost savings associated with recycling and understanding that consumers want to patronize companies viewed as environmentally friendly.

"They see the professional value of becoming a green business and recycling," he said.