Calif. town looks to C&D to increase recycling rates

Construction & Demolition Recycling, May-June, 2005

* City officials in Piedmont, Calif., are in the process of drafting a construction and demolition recycling ordinance to help boost its recycling rates, according to a report in the Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, Calif.).

Officials want to tap into the C&D material stream to help the Alameda County Waste Management Authority meet its goal of diverting 75 percent of its material by 2010, according to the report.

State mandates require California cities to divert a minimum of 50 percent or face heavy fines.

Piedmont currently diverts 64 percent, according to the report.

City Planner Kate Black tells the Contra Costa Times that C&D material makes up approximately 21 percent of the debris in the county landfills.

A draft is expected to be presented to the city council by early summer.