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On Thursday, October 28 at 4:00 PM, join the DC Environmental Network, Anacostia Coordinating Council, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, and other circular economy enthusiasts, for a briefing by Californians Against Waste (CAW), one of the most accomplished zero-waste organizations in California.
You must RSVP below to receive the Zoom meeting links!
Nick Lapis, Director of Advocacy at CAW, will share the story of this year's incredible accomplishments in helping to get 5 circular economy bills passed by the California State Legislature and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. We will also talk about efforts by corporations to privatize California recycling programs and the role they played in opposing many of these innovative and meaningful zero-waste initiatives.
The five bills included:
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SB 343 (Allen) brings “truth in labeling” to many plastic and packaging products. After a phase-in period, manufacturers will no longer be allowed to put the “chasing arrows”, or recycling symbol, on items that aren’t recyclable in the real world.
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AB 881 (Gonzalez) helps the state accurately measure how much plastic gets recycled. Often, unused exported plastic waste is illegally dumped, landfilled, or incinerated in vulnerable, impoverished countries. This bill prohibits plastic waste exports to other countries being counted as being “recycled.”
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AB 962 (Kamlager) allows the easier reuse of glass bottles by brewers, which responds to business and consumer preferences by reducing the need for single-use beverage containers. DCEN particularly likes this one.
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AB 1201 (Ting) updates labeling for compostable products. Among other requirements, AB 1201 requires compostable products to break down in real life composting conditions, bans toxic PFAS “forever chemicals,” and puts the onus on manufacturers to ensure that their products don’t contaminate organic agriculture.
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AB 1276 (Carrillo) reduces plastic foodware waste by giving takeout customers only what they want: single-use foodware may only be provided upon request. DC has a version of this requirement.
“California’s hallmark is solving problems through innovation, and we’re harnessing that spirit to reduce the waste filling our landfills and generating harmful pollutants driving the climate crisis,” said Governor Newsom. “With today’s action and bold investments to transform our recycling systems, the state continues to lead the way to a more sustainable and resilient future for the planet and all our communities.” - Governor Newsom, October 5, 2021
Circular Economy: "A circular economy is "a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible" that aims at tackling global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution."1
All are welcome to this special opportunity to learn.
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