Environmental commission seeks upgrades
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

Although Calabasas might be considered ahead of the curve when it comes to environmental awareness, the city's environmental commission is recommending a series of upgrades to city recycling and waste programs.

The commission has discussed the deficiencies of the city's current solid waste and recycling programs and procedures twice since August.

The commission's first recommendation is to update a 2005 resolution that refers to a waste diversion goal of 30 to 50 percent.

According to the California Integrated Waste Management Board, the state diverted 52 percent of solid waste from landfills in 2005. The city's own diversion rate has fluctuated from 36 percent in 1999, to 57 percent in 2001, to 46 percent in 2003, rising to 51 percent in 2005. Staffers anticipate 2006's diversion rate will be 60 percent.

The state waste board recommended Senate Bill 1020 to increase California's diversion rate mandate to 75 percent by 2012, but the request hasn't yet been approved. According to the city's environmental services manager, Alex Farassati, more than 15 California cities have reached and passed the 72 percent diversion rate.

"If the city's goal is to reduce our dependence on landfills, reduce greenhouse gases and protect our environment, we need to establish new milestones and continue reducing, reusing and recycling our solid waste by setting a new goal," Farassati said.

Another recommendation is to go with a franchise agreement with one or more haulers, as most surrounding cities have, and also push for a construction and demolition ordinance.

The commission said waste from construction, demolition and renovations represents a significant portion of the volume of the city's waste. About 22 percent of total trash generated in Calabasas is from construction sites. Most roll-off bin haulers don't recycle debris, although at least 75 percent of it is recyclable.

That information got the attention of the council.

"We don't have a prayer of getting to 75 percent with all of that," said Councilmember Dennis Washburn.

The council's last recommendation was to adopt a trash enclosure ordinance. Most small trash enclosures in Calabasas were built before 1989, when recycling was not mandatory. Since then, there has been no effort to enlarge enclosures to accommodate an extra bin for recycling.

"There are mandates to upgrade septic tanks, electrical and plumbing systems, toilets, roofing and windows, but there is no mandate to upgrade substandard trash enclosures," Farassati said.

"The problem became more evident after the recent recycling campaign by the city to distribute free recycling baskets and signs to apartments, condominiums and schools," he said. "Staff received complaints about lack of recycling containers in multifamily complexes and commercial and institutional buildings."

A survey revealed that most small enclosures can only accommodate a single receptacle. If complexes want to bring in a recycling bin, the containers are often placed in parking spaces or in landscaped areas.

"So we'd like you to set the diversion rate at 75 percent, adopt the trash enclosure ordinance, and then we'll come back with a franchise agreement," said City Manager Tony Coroalles, who backs a demolition and construction materials ordinance.

Washburn was concerned about setting the bar at 75 percent.

"It becomes regulatory instead of initiative-driven," Washburn said. "In other words, staff has no other alternative than the council wants to get to 75 percent diversion by 2012 no matter what."

He was concerned about haulers' rate increases and asked for a study on possible rate changes.

Mayor Pro Tem Mary Sue Maurer said she recently became aware that a new larger 96-gallon recycling bin was available. The city is in negotiations in an effort to make the bins available to residents.

Maurer also asked for a report on all Las Virgenes Unified School District schools' recycling efforts. Earlier in the meeting, Maurer had asked Superintendent Don Zimring if the city could be of any help to the school district.

"We've had difficult times with different providers," Zimring said. "We have several of our sites working with city staff and would love to continue to do so."