San Mateo County Grand Jury
• 2018-2019
Planning for the County’s Waste Management Challenges Issue | Summary | Glossary | Background | Discussion |
⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 11 findings
F1
The County’s Countywide Integrated Waste Management Plan (CIWMP) was adopted in 1999. Five Year Reviews by the County conducted in 2004, 2009 and 2014 did not identify a need to revise the CIWMP Summary Plan or Siting Element. The Five Year Review in 2009 identified a need to revise the CIWMP Non-Disposal Facility Element, which was done in 2010. In 2019, the CIWMP is scheduled for its fourth Five Year Review. The state requires such a review to assess whether a plan revision is warranted.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
The County’s Office of Sustainability is responsible for preparing the 2019 Five Year Review. State law requires it to refer the review and any CIWMP revision to the Local Task Force (LTF), which is the San Mateo City/County Association of Governments (C/CAG). The LTF may also provide input into what should be updated in the CIWMP. LTF comments are provided to CalRecycle. Solid waste management is a responsibility of all local jurisdictions and their input, through C/CAG, is necessary to a comprehensive CIWMP review.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The Grand Jury recommends that the City/County Association of Governments (C/CAG), in its role as the Local Task Force (LTF), participate with the County Office of Sustainability in revising the CIWMP.
F3
As of the date of this writing, the 1999 CIWMP is not available to the public on the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability’s website.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
The Grand Jury recommends that the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability replace the existing 1999 Countywide Integrated Waste Management Plan (CIWMP), including the Summary Plan, the landfill Siting Element, and the Non-Disposal Facilities Element (as amended in 2010) with a revised plan by January 1, 2021. At a minimum, the revised plan should address: Updated descriptions of solid waste management facilities and programs implemented by the County, local jurisdictions, and their private franchise holders. Goals, objectives, policies and implementation measures that reflect the overall 75 percent waste diversion target contained in AB 341 (2011), the 75 percent organics waste diversion target contained in SB 1383 (2016), the 20 percent edible food diversion target contained in SB 1383 (2016), and consider the more aggressive waste diversion targets contained in the CAPs adopted by several San Mateo County jurisdictions, including the goal of “zero-waste.” Possible policies related to the impact of waste management practices in San Mateo County on the global environment, including emissions of methane from landfills, and the environmental and social impacts that may occur when the county’s recyclables are exported to other nations with the less stringent environmental and worker protection practices than in the United States. Environmental justice concerns as they relate to solid waste management decision- making by local jurisdictions in this county. A strategy and schedule for providing additional landfill capacity after year 2034, when the county’s Ox Mountain landfill is projected to reach its current permitted capacity. A County ordinance banning the disposal of green waste and possibly other organics at the Ox Mountain landfill, in order to support organic waste diversion programs and conserve landfill capacity. Whether the Office of Sustainability should implement additional countywide programs including public education and technical assistance related to waste diversion. The CIWMP should also consider whether the Office of Sustainability should coordinate the rescue of edible food waste at the countywide level.
R3
The Grand Jury recommends that the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability make the existing 1999 CIWMP and all Five Year Reviews available to the public on its website by September 30, 2019 and place the revised CIWMP on its website after it is drafted and adopted by the County Board of Supervisors.
F4
The 1999 CIWMP Summary Plan, the 2010 Non-Disposal Facility Element, and the 2014 Five Year Review do not include updated descriptions of solid waste management facilities and programs implemented by the County, local jurisdictions, or their private franchise holders. While facilities and programs are updated in the Electronic Annual Report to CalRecycle prepared by each individual jurisdiction, the CIWMP and its five-year reviews are the only documents where this information is consolidated and reviewed on a comprehensive, countywide basis.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Grand Jury recommends that the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability replace the existing 1999 Countywide Integrated Waste Management Plan (CIWMP), including the Summary Plan, the landfill Siting Element, and the Non-Disposal Facilities Element (as amended in 2010) with a revised plan by January 1, 2021. At a minimum, the revised plan should address: Updated descriptions of solid waste management facilities and programs implemented by the County, local jurisdictions, and their private franchise holders. Goals, objectives, policies and implementation measures that reflect the overall 75 percent waste diversion target contained in AB 341 (2011), the 75 percent organics waste diversion target contained in SB 1383 (2016), the 20 percent edible food diversion target contained in SB 1383 (2016), and consider the more aggressive waste diversion targets contained in the CAPs adopted by several San Mateo County jurisdictions, including the goal of “zero-waste.” Possible policies related to the impact of waste management practices in San Mateo County on the global environment, including emissions of methane from landfills, and the environmental and social impacts that may occur when the county’s recyclables are exported to other nations with the less stringent environmental and worker protection practices than in the United States. Environmental justice concerns as they relate to solid waste management decision- making by local jurisdictions in this county. A strategy and schedule for providing additional landfill capacity after year 2034, when the county’s Ox Mountain landfill is projected to reach its current permitted capacity. A County ordinance banning the disposal of green waste and possibly other organics at the Ox Mountain landfill, in order to support organic waste diversion programs and conserve landfill capacity. Whether the Office of Sustainability should implement additional countywide programs including public education and technical assistance related to waste diversion. The CIWMP should also consider whether the Office of Sustainability should coordinate the rescue of edible food waste at the countywide level.
F5
The primary goal of the 1999 CIWMP was to meet the state-mandated 50 percent waste diversion rate. The CIWMP does not reflect the state’s newer non-mandated 75 percent waste diversion goal (AB 341, 2011), nor the even more ambitious goals adopted by some jurisdictions in this county through their CAPs. Further, the CIWMP does not discuss solid waste management in the context of global climate change, including the issue of landfill emissions of methane (a potent greenhouse gas) and the issue of what becomes of the county’s recyclables once they are exported to other nations, some with less stringent environmental and worker protection practices than in the United States.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Grand Jury recommends that the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability replace the existing 1999 Countywide Integrated Waste Management Plan (CIWMP), including the Summary Plan, the landfill Siting Element, and the Non-Disposal Facilities Element (as amended in 2010) with a revised plan by January 1, 2021. At a minimum, the revised plan should address: Updated descriptions of solid waste management facilities and programs implemented by the County, local jurisdictions, and their private franchise holders. Goals, objectives, policies and implementation measures that reflect the overall 75 percent waste diversion target contained in AB 341 (2011), the 75 percent organics waste diversion target contained in SB 1383 (2016), the 20 percent edible food diversion target contained in SB 1383 (2016), and consider the more aggressive waste diversion targets contained in the CAPs adopted by several San Mateo County jurisdictions, including the goal of “zero-waste.” Possible policies related to the impact of waste management practices in San Mateo County on the global environment, including emissions of methane from landfills, and the environmental and social impacts that may occur when the county’s recyclables are exported to other nations with the less stringent environmental and worker protection practices than in the United States. Environmental justice concerns as they relate to solid waste management decision- making by local jurisdictions in this county. A strategy and schedule for providing additional landfill capacity after year 2034, when the county’s Ox Mountain landfill is projected to reach its current permitted capacity. A County ordinance banning the disposal of green waste and possibly other organics at the Ox Mountain landfill, in order to support organic waste diversion programs and conserve landfill capacity. Whether the Office of Sustainability should implement additional countywide programs including public education and technical assistance related to waste diversion. The CIWMP should also consider whether the Office of Sustainability should coordinate the rescue of edible food waste at the countywide level.
F6
The 1999 CIWMP does not discuss environmental justice concerns related to solid waste management decision-making by local jurisdictions in San Mateo County.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Grand Jury recommends that the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability replace the existing 1999 Countywide Integrated Waste Management Plan (CIWMP), including the Summary Plan, the landfill Siting Element, and the Non-Disposal Facilities Element (as amended in 2010) with a revised plan by January 1, 2021. At a minimum, the revised plan should address: Updated descriptions of solid waste management facilities and programs implemented by the County, local jurisdictions, and their private franchise holders. Goals, objectives, policies and implementation measures that reflect the overall 75 percent waste diversion target contained in AB 341 (2011), the 75 percent organics waste diversion target contained in SB 1383 (2016), the 20 percent edible food diversion target contained in SB 1383 (2016), and consider the more aggressive waste diversion targets contained in the CAPs adopted by several San Mateo County jurisdictions, including the goal of “zero-waste.” Possible policies related to the impact of waste management practices in San Mateo County on the global environment, including emissions of methane from landfills, and the environmental and social impacts that may occur when the county’s recyclables are exported to other nations with the less stringent environmental and worker protection practices than in the United States. Environmental justice concerns as they relate to solid waste management decision- making by local jurisdictions in this county. A strategy and schedule for providing additional landfill capacity after year 2034, when the county’s Ox Mountain landfill is projected to reach its current permitted capacity. A County ordinance banning the disposal of green waste and possibly other organics at the Ox Mountain landfill, in order to support organic waste diversion programs and conserve landfill capacity. Whether the Office of Sustainability should implement additional countywide programs including public education and technical assistance related to waste diversion. The CIWMP should also consider whether the Office of Sustainability should coordinate the rescue of edible food waste at the countywide level.
F7
The state requires a CIWMP Siting Element to provide a strategy for obtaining landfill disposal capacity if there is less than 15 years of capacity remaining in the county. The projected lifespan of the only active landfill in the county, privately-owned Ox Mountain, is 15 years (to the year 2034). The 1999 CIWMP does not present a strategy for providing landfill capacity after that date.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Grand Jury recommends that the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability replace the existing 1999 Countywide Integrated Waste Management Plan (CIWMP), including the Summary Plan, the landfill Siting Element, and the Non-Disposal Facilities Element (as amended in 2010) with a revised plan by January 1, 2021. At a minimum, the revised plan should address: Updated descriptions of solid waste management facilities and programs implemented by the County, local jurisdictions, and their private franchise holders. Goals, objectives, policies and implementation measures that reflect the overall 75 percent waste diversion target contained in AB 341 (2011), the 75 percent organics waste diversion target contained in SB 1383 (2016), the 20 percent edible food diversion target contained in SB 1383 (2016), and consider the more aggressive waste diversion targets contained in the CAPs adopted by several San Mateo County jurisdictions, including the goal of “zero-waste.” Possible policies related to the impact of waste management practices in San Mateo County on the global environment, including emissions of methane from landfills, and the environmental and social impacts that may occur when the county’s recyclables are exported to other nations with the less stringent environmental and worker protection practices than in the United States. Environmental justice concerns as they relate to solid waste management decision- making by local jurisdictions in this county. A strategy and schedule for providing additional landfill capacity after year 2034, when the county’s Ox Mountain landfill is projected to reach its current permitted capacity. A County ordinance banning the disposal of green waste and possibly other organics at the Ox Mountain landfill, in order to support organic waste diversion programs and conserve landfill capacity. Whether the Office of Sustainability should implement additional countywide programs including public education and technical assistance related to waste diversion. The CIWMP should also consider whether the Office of Sustainability should coordinate the rescue of edible food waste at the countywide level.
F8
SB 1383 (2016) sets a statewide goal to reduce the annual tons of organic material disposed in landfills by 75 percent (using 2014 tonnage as a base year) by the year 2025. The 1999 CIWMP does not discuss the challenge of meeting the goals contained in SB 1383 or consider whether programs or facilities should be implemented on a multi-jurisdictional or even countywide basis.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Grand Jury recommends that the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability replace the existing 1999 Countywide Integrated Waste Management Plan (CIWMP), including the Summary Plan, the landfill Siting Element, and the Non-Disposal Facilities Element (as amended in 2010) with a revised plan by January 1, 2021. At a minimum, the revised plan should address: Updated descriptions of solid waste management facilities and programs implemented by the County, local jurisdictions, and their private franchise holders. Goals, objectives, policies and implementation measures that reflect the overall 75 percent waste diversion target contained in AB 341 (2011), the 75 percent organics waste diversion target contained in SB 1383 (2016), the 20 percent edible food diversion target contained in SB 1383 (2016), and consider the more aggressive waste diversion targets contained in the CAPs adopted by several San Mateo County jurisdictions, including the goal of “zero-waste.” Possible policies related to the impact of waste management practices in San Mateo County on the global environment, including emissions of methane from landfills, and the environmental and social impacts that may occur when the county’s recyclables are exported to other nations with the less stringent environmental and worker protection practices than in the United States. Environmental justice concerns as they relate to solid waste management decision- making by local jurisdictions in this county. A strategy and schedule for providing additional landfill capacity after year 2034, when the county’s Ox Mountain landfill is projected to reach its current permitted capacity. A County ordinance banning the disposal of green waste and possibly other organics at the Ox Mountain landfill, in order to support organic waste diversion programs and conserve landfill capacity. Whether the Office of Sustainability should implement additional countywide programs including public education and technical assistance related to waste diversion. The CIWMP should also consider whether the Office of Sustainability should coordinate the rescue of edible food waste at the countywide level.
F9
SB 1383 (2016) sets a specific goal that at least 20 percent of edible food that is currently landfilled be recovered for human consumption by the year 2025. The 1999 CIWMP does not discuss the challenge of meeting SB 1383’s edible food rescue goal or consider whether any programs or facilities should be implemented on a countywide basis.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Grand Jury recommends that the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability replace the existing 1999 Countywide Integrated Waste Management Plan (CIWMP), including the Summary Plan, the landfill Siting Element, and the Non-Disposal Facilities Element (as amended in 2010) with a revised plan by January 1, 2021. At a minimum, the revised plan should address: Updated descriptions of solid waste management facilities and programs implemented by the County, local jurisdictions, and their private franchise holders. Goals, objectives, policies and implementation measures that reflect the overall 75 percent waste diversion target contained in AB 341 (2011), the 75 percent organics waste diversion target contained in SB 1383 (2016), the 20 percent edible food diversion target contained in SB 1383 (2016), and consider the more aggressive waste diversion targets contained in the CAPs adopted by several San Mateo County jurisdictions, including the goal of “zero-waste.” Possible policies related to the impact of waste management practices in San Mateo County on the global environment, including emissions of methane from landfills, and the environmental and social impacts that may occur when the county’s recyclables are exported to other nations with the less stringent environmental and worker protection practices than in the United States. Environmental justice concerns as they relate to solid waste management decision- making by local jurisdictions in this county. A strategy and schedule for providing additional landfill capacity after year 2034, when the county’s Ox Mountain landfill is projected to reach its current permitted capacity. A County ordinance banning the disposal of green waste and possibly other organics at the Ox Mountain landfill, in order to support organic waste diversion programs and conserve landfill capacity. Whether the Office of Sustainability should implement additional countywide programs including public education and technical assistance related to waste diversion. The CIWMP should also consider whether the Office of Sustainability should coordinate the rescue of edible food waste at the countywide level.
F10
Changes in international markets for recyclables have adversely affected recycling programs in this county. The loss of markets means some collected recyclable materials in this county are landfilled instead. The diversion of recyclable materials to remaining international markets has created a glut, which has led to a drop in the revenue recycling programs in this county receive for their material. The 1999 CIWMP does not discuss these challenges or consider whether any additional programs, such as public education or technical assistance, should be implemented on a countywide basis.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
San Mateo County does not prohibit disposal of green waste or other organics at the Ox Mountain landfill. The availability of a lower-cost landfill alternative to expensive new organic waste diversion facilities could undermine waste diversion efforts. The 1999 CIWMP does not discuss the possibility of banning disposal of organic waste at the Ox Mountain landfill or consider the potential benefits of doing so.
No recommendations for this finding
Conclusions 2
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CL1 Page 17The question raised by the Grand Jury is whether the 1999 CIWMP should be revised. The Grand Jury finds that the CIWMP is potentially a valuable tool for effective countywide solid waste management planning, and an important guide for decision makers and the public. Revising the CIWMP is merited for a number of reasons: By revising the CIWMP, the County could incorporate more aggressive waste diversion goals established in local CAPs since 2008, as well as the 75 percent statewide overall waste diversion goal contained in AB 341 (2011). These goals could be a basis for new countywide strategic planning efforts going forward. A revised CIWMP could also examine the county’s waste management practices within an updated environmental context, recognizing global climate change, and including the impacts of our waste management practices on the foreign nations that process our recycled waste. It could also address environmental justice policies in local government decision-making. With a projected Ox Mountain landfill closure date of 2034, a revised CIWMP Siting Element could identify a long-term strategy to preserve or expand landfill capacity or find out-of-county alternatives. A revised CIWMP could identify what new facilities and programs are needed to meet the SB 1383 (2016) 75 percent organics diversion and 20 percent edible food rescue targets and assess the opportunities for a coordinated local or even countywide response. 109 Ibid. 110 CalRecycle, “History of California Solid Waste Law,” 1927-2019, AB 939 (1989). https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Laws/Legislation/CalHist/
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CL2 Page 18This could include consideration of a ban by the County of San Mateo on disposal of green waste and possibly other organics at the Ox Mountain landfill. While the county cannot control international markets for recyclables, a revised CIWMP could consider local actions to mitigate market problems, either by generating less waste through source reduction, reducing the level of contamination, development of new domestic markets for recyclables, or outright local bans on the use of certain difficult-to- recycle products. Improved public education and technical assistance could play a role in some of these approaches.
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Special District