Project Need

Pursuant to the passage of California State Assembly Bill AB 939 (The Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989), the State mandated local governments to reduce landfill disposal by 50 percent by the year 2000. Effective recycling of garden refuse is vital to meeting this recycling mandate. Currently, member agencies of the Regional Solid Waste Authority (SWA), (City of Citrus Heights, City of Sacramento, and the unincorporated area of Sacramento County) generate about 200,000 tons of residential green waste a year. Much of this local green waste is being trucked out of the county for processing resulting in:
  • Higher costs
  • Significant air quality impacts
  • Traffic impacts
The Sacramento GreenCycle project will help alleviate these problems.

About AB 939
In 1989, California Assembly Bill AB 939 was signed into law because of increasing amounts of solid waste being generated in the state and the decrease in landfill capacity. There were also major concerns about water and air pollution associated with landfills. As a result, the current California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) was established. A disposal reporting system with CIWMB oversight was established, and facility and program planning was required. AB 939 mandated a reduction of waste being disposed, and jurisdictions were required to meet diversion goals of 50% by the year 2000. AB 939 also established an integrated framework for program implementation, solid waste planning, and solid waste facility and landfill compliance.

Why a Local Facility?
A local facility will ensure that the SWA member agencies have the long-term capability to properly recycle locally generated green waste in compliance with State requirements.

By having a local facility:

  • We will be assured that our region’s green waste is actually being recycled and diverted from landfills. In the past, our exported green waste was not always recycled properly.
  • We will have long-term control over costs.
  • It will reduce traffic and air quality impacts.
  • It will ensure the facility will be a good neighbor.
A Public-Private Partnership
The Sacramento GreenCycle facility is envisioned as a public-private partnership; in which the facility is owned by SWA and operated by a private contractor. The SWA will make certain the facility is a good neighbor while providing the cost-effective garden refuse recycling service that the community needs.

Following are the elements of the proposed public-private partnership for Sacramento GreenCycle:

  • SWA will own the site and the facility operating permits.
  • SWA will establish a long-term contract with a private-sector vendor who will operate the facility and market the recycled garden refuse products.

Questions? Email jennifer@mmcpr.com or call (916) 567-6309 or (800) 200-7904.