ESJPA is proud of our ability to successfully advocate while cultivating relationships to help influence and negotiate policy at state and federal agencies for the benefit of our members. Agencies we work with include CalRecycle, the State Water Resources Control Board, the California Air Resources Board, the Department of Toxic Substances Control, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and others in a continual effort to make ESJPA the premier policy and advocacy organization for rural solid waste and recycling jurisdictions.
Focus Areas
ESJPA advocates across a variety of important regulatory focus areas. A brief description along with key resources are provided under each area.
California Air Resources Board
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) regularly considers policies that indirectly touch solid waste and recycling operations, including small, off-road and vehicle engine requirements and updates of California’s climate change Scoping Plan. ESJPA routinely engages in CARB policies that impact member solid waste jurisdictions.
RCRC Comments on CARB 2022 Draft Scoping Plan UpdateGenerator Improvement Rule
Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has begun the rulemaking process to reorganize hazardous waste generator regulations including adopting federal standards as needed. These regulations may impact management of hazardous wastes including acceptance at household hazardous waste programs. ESJPA is monitoring these proposals.
Generator Improvement RuleHazardous Waste Management Plan
Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is developing a statewide Hazardous Waste Management Plan as required by SB 158 (2021) that will provide guidance and management of hazardous waste including universal waste and household hazardous waste. ESJPA is monitoring this effort and will be providing comments as needed to address impacts to rural jurisdictions. DTSC began hosting a series of workshops in June 2022, continuing until the final report is published March 1, 2023.
Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Workplaces
California Code of Regulations, title 8, section 3396 establishes required safety measures for indoor places of employment to prevent employee exposure to risk of heat illness. The standard applies to most workplaces wherethe indoor temperature reaches 82°F. This regulation requires employers to provide access to drinking water and cool-down areas, closely observe employees during acclimatization, train employees, and provide timely emergency aid.
Home-Generated Sharps and Pharmaceuticals Stewardship
CalRecycle is reviewing and approving stewardship plans for collection management of home-generated sharps and pharmaceuticals from residents in jurisdictions throughout California. ESJPA is monitoring implementation of these plans to ensure equitable and convenient programs for rural areas.
Illegal Dumping
ESJPA currently chairs CalRecycle’s Illegal Dumping Technical Advisory Committee (IDTAC), which provides ongoing recommendations to CalRecycle on how to address the state’s long-term illegal dumping issues. The IDTAC provides resources to jurisdictions and the public on addressing illegal dumping.
Little Hoover Commission
The Little Hoover Commission (LHC), an independent state oversight agency, has initiated a study of California’s SB 1383 organic waste regulations. ESJPA was interviewed for initial input into the study as LHC began a series of hearings to assess implementation of the regulations and provide recommendations to the Legislature and the Governor for potential changes and improvements.
Little Hoover Commission SB 1383 Implementation Report-June 2023Recycling and Disposal Reporting System (RDRS)
The RDRS was developed to satisfy requirements in Assembly Bill 901 (Gordon, 2015) mandating how solid waste, organics and recyclable materials are reported to CalRecycle. ESJPA is engaged in updates currently under development by CalRecycle to the RDRS regulations to implement changes adopted in 2021 legislation.
Safer Consumer Products
Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) continues to lead the science-driven efforts to require Green Chemistry and promote safer consumer products at the point of manufacture to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals. ESJPA is monitoring these ongoing efforts for impact to waste classifications and acceptance. Recent efforts addressed treatment using per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals and motor vehicle tires.
Short-Lived Climate Pollutant (SLCP) Organics Regulations
In 2016, Senate Bill 1383 (Lara) was signed into law requiring a statewide effort to reduce organic waste disposal 75% by 2025 and to reduce edible food waste by 20% by 2025 in order to reduce methane emissions from landfills. ESJPA was instrumental in negotiating key exemptions for rural jurisdictions and continues to interface on behalf of our members to help ensure full compliance with CalRecycle’s implementing regulations.
Water Quality Monitoring and Fees
Solid waste facilities often must comply with California water quality monitoring requirements and pay the corresponding fees to the state. ESJPA monitors updates to state water quality permits and corresponding fee changes for impacts to member jurisdictions.