California Law Requiring More Detailed Disposal Reporting Takes Effect

Beginning July 1, AB 901, a law that changes how organics, recyclable material and solid waste are reported to the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), went into effect.

The Recycling and Disposal Facility Reporting System (RDRS) law requires the following businesses to report directly to CalRecycle on a quarterly basis on types, quantities and destinations of materials that are disposed, sold or transferred inside or outside of the state:

CalRecycle states the data acquired by the new regulations will inform its understanding of material flows within the state’s recycling infrastructure; allow CalRecycle to better estimate total recycling and composting; and assist CalRecycle to track progress toward several state goals and programs, including the 75 percent recycling goal, mandatory commercial recycling and organics diversion programs.

The department says this information will allow CalRecycle to implement various improvements in areas such as increased responsiveness to changes in the recycling landscape, operational efficiencies and the targeting of state resources to recycling infrastructure to foster a circular economy.