Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 3:05 PM
Subject: Package of Crucial
Recycling Bills go to the Governor
Thanks to your support, CAW
and other stakeholder groups has been able to convince the legislature to pass
a package of new recycling bills that strengthens recycling, creates
'green' jobs, conserves resources and protects the environment. We now have
less than 30 days to galvanize support for these crucial measures on the
Governor's desk - we need your support.
Here's how you can help.
TAKE ACTION: Send a letter to the Governor urging him to sign these bills when
they come across his desk.
SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN: Send a generous contribution to CAW, which is leading the fight
to promote recycling in California. In the next 30 days, we'll be
embarking on an all out media and organizing campaign to pass these bills, and
we must do all we can in the coming few weeks to convince the Governor to sign
them. You can help us cover the costs of these expenditures with a generous contribution online today.
1. Bottle Bill Expansion
SB 402 (Wolk-Corbett-Skinner) would strengthen the Bottle Bill and
increase recycling by expanding the program to include more beverage container
types; increasing the CRV on 'single serve' containers consumed outside the
home; and bringing program expenditures in balance with revenues.
Over the last two decades, the California Bottle Bill has facilitated the
recycling of more than 200 billion containers. That's more than 9 million
tons of aluminum, glass and plastic. No policy in the state has resulted in
higher recycling levels, and no program of its kind in the country has been
found to be more cost effective.
But higher recycling rates and recycling fund transfers have depleted funds
needed to support this successful recycling infrastructure. Earlier this year,
the Department of Conservation was forced to cut funding for most collection,
processing and market development programs by 85 percent. Without these funds,
consumer recycling opportunities would be eliminated, market support would be
curtailed and thousands of good green jobs would be lost.
SB 402 expands recycling and balances the funding shortfall by: 1) Expanding
the program to include all beverage container types and sizes for covered
beverages; 2) Extending the 10-cent CRV to containers 20 ounces and
larger-capturing those single serve containers most often consumed outside the
home; 3) Re-prioritizing program funding to the most effective and proven
collection, processing and market development efforts. SB 402 will ensure full
funding for curbside recycling, local government, and Local Conservation Corps.
2. Fluorescent Light Recycling
AB 1173 (Huffman) would create free Fluorescent light
recycling opportunities for consumers while increasing the quality of a
majority of bulbs distributed to the market.
The environmental choice of fluorescent over incandescent light bulbs is easy.
CFLs use roughly 75% less energy and can last up to 15 times longer than
incandescent bulbs. California's efforts to increase the sales and use of
fluorescent lamps have been enormously successful.
CFL's
contain mercury, which is dangerous to human health when not managed properly.
AB 1173 would incentivize longer lasting, low-mercury bulbs while establishing
free and convenient recycling options for residential consumers.
3. Apartment Recycling
AB 473 (Blumenfield) would provide recycling opportunities
for over 7 million residents currently living in multi-family dwellings across
the state.
California
as a whole diverts over 50% of its solid waste from landfills through
conservation and recycling. But only 40% of those living in apartment's
complexes and other multi-family units have the same access to curbside
recycling that residential waste customers do. AB 473 will substantially
increase our solid waste diversion levels by bringing in the over 7 million
California residents in multi-family that currently don't have access to
convenient recycling options.
If
enough of us let the Governor know that we support increased recycling --
loud and clear -- we will be able to win passage of these important new
recycling laws.
Your special contribution to C AW will give us the resources needed to generate
favorable publicity in the media and get supporters to write thousands of
letters to the Governor. You can make your tax-deductible contribution to
CAW Foundation right now at: cawrecycles.org
We
urgently need your help today to persuade the Governor to sign these recycling
bills into law.
Please
take action and make a contribution to CAW today. Your support has gotten
us this far -- please help us finish the job!
To be
removed from this distribution list, please reply to this email or call
916-443-5422