Organics Policy Roadmap

1. Organics Policy Roadmap • Sub-directive 6.1: 50% reduction of organics in waste stream by 2020 • Need additional capacity to process 15 million tons per year • Additional capacity for ~3 million tons per year may be needed depending on ADC policy

2. Waste Stream Characterization • 40 Million tons disposed • 70% Carbon-based organics • 30% is compostable organics • 21% is paper • 15% is food

3. Common Issues 6 key issue categories • ADC policy • Economic incentives • Siting and capacity • Regulations and permitting • Research • Education

4. ADC Policy • Diversion credit is a barrier • No incentives that place a premium on landfill diversion options • Organic-based ADC results in less material available for composting, biomass-to-energy, etc • Landfill tip fees less expensive than alternative management methods • ADC is beneficial in areas where soil is lacking and expensive to transport

5. Economic Incentives/Disincentives • Organics-base ADC is less expensive alternative to composting • Need full cost accounting to value benefits of compost • Need funding of new technologies • Lack of funding incentives for alternatives drives market towards landfilling • Lack of financing has hindered expanding capacity

6. Siting and Capacity Development • Need funding mechanism for additional infrastructure • No requirement in Siting Elements for processing capacity information • Resistance by residents • No direct Board involvement at local level • Legislative action may be necessary

7. Regulatory and Permitting Constraints • Interagency Coordination • Lack of coordination by multiple agencies to streamline permit process • Inconsistencies and/or contradictory goals across regulatory agencies • CIWMB Composting Regulations • Currently need full solid waste facility permit for composting operations that accept food waste

8. Research • Need research at all levels • Feedstock specific • Coordination of research between agencies • Lack of emissions data or lifecycle benefits of organic materials management methods • Need to develop product standards and addressfeedstock contamination

9. Education and Procurement • Need consumers, regulators, producers to be educated on benefits/value of composting • Poor public perception and lack of trust of compost facilities • May stem from not understanding value of compost • Need to understandbest management practices that compost facilities use to minimize impacts

10. Policy Roadmap and Schedule • Staff has developed Roadmap and Schedule for discussion • Addresses six common issues identified by stakeholders • Includes three allocation proposals that support Organics Roadmap

11. ADC Policy • March 2008 Policy Item • Separate and more detailed analysis • Regional breakdowns • Impact on local jurisdictions • Summary of European Union bans and phase outs • Analyze options suggested by stakeholders • ADC phase outs • Differential surcharge for green waste ADC • Differential diversion credit • Pros and Cons of different policy options

12. Economic Incentives/Disincentives • May 2008 - Initial analysis • Analyze options suggested by stakeholders • Carbon credits and tax credits • Tradable diversion credits • Landfill surcharge used for infrastructure development • Create co-location incentives • Require pre-processing prior to disposal • May require legislative action

13. Siting and Capacity Development • April 2008 Workshop • Analysis of stakeholder recommendations • Landfill surcharge to fund new facilities • Change requirements of Siting Element • Require statewide processing capacity goal • More direct Board involvement during local planning process • Will seek additional input from stakeholders

14. Regulatory and Permitting Constraints • Interagency Coordination • Continue collaboration with AQMDs and Water Boards • CIWMB Regulation Revisions • SD 8.4 - conduct review of existing regulations • January 2008 – Rulemaking Calendar presented • May include food waste composting issues • Other stakeholder recommendations may require legislative action

15. Research • January 2008 Agenda Item • Scope of Work approval for biofuels RFP • February 2008 Agenda Item • Policy item on Research Model • Several ongoing and planned activities • Organics lifecycle assessment • Compost emissions testing • Three contract allocation proposals • Two other concepts considered by staff but are lower priority for current fiscal year

16. Education and Procurement • February 2008 - Caltrans-dedicated workshop at US Composting Council conference in Oakland • Proposing additional Caltrans workshops and field demonstrations • Targeting all Caltrans districts and local government • Will include field-demonstration component • Potential to increase procurement • Current Ag. Specifications contract may yield increased compost/mulch procurement • Need quantifiable benefits of compost/mulch before additional educational efforts

17. 2007-D-6: Caltrans Demonstration and Workshops • $200,000 Interagency Agreement with UC Riverside • Incorporates field demonstrations in addition to classroom workshops • Local government workshops throughout state • Training “scholarships” for key Caltrans personnel • Addresses Education and Procurement Issue

18. 2007-D-7: Compost BMPs and Benefits • $150,000 contract (IAA or RFP) • Identify gaps in research • Field demonstrations to quantify benefits • Erosion control • Water conservation • Landscape re-vegetation in fire-ravaged areas • Addresses Economic Incentives/Disincentives Issue

19. 2007-D-8: Compost Cover at Landfills • $100,000 Contract (IAA or RFP) • Measure effectiveness of compost to control methane emissions • Would address research gaps identified by SCS Engineers BMP survey • Contract would allow for field demonstrations • Addresses Research Issue • Waste Compliance and Mitigation staff lead

20. Board Options • Option 1: • Implement proposed Roadmap and Schedule; • Approve Organics Concepts • Option 2: • Implement Proposed Roadmap and Schedule with revisions • Approve Organics Concepts Option 3: • Make changes to Roadmap, Schedule and Organics Concepts • Return at later date for further consideration

21. Staff Recommendation • Option 1 and adopt Resolution Numbers: • 2007-253 • 2007-254 • 2007-255 • Requesting delegation to Executive Director for Scope of Work approval