SB 1916 Overview

Senate Bill (SB) 1916 of 1998 augmented activities already conducted by DTSC to promote hazardous waste source reduction. SB 1916 specifies a set of activities designed to promote source reduction of hazardous waste using education, outreach, and other effective voluntary techniques. The legislation requires that DTSC maximize its resources through cooperation with other entities, including but not limited to Certified Unified Program Agencies, Small Business Development Corporations, business environmental assistance centers, and other regional and local government environmental programs.

Elements of SB 1916

Establishes an Advisory Committee -- The California Source Reduction Advisory Committee consists of 10 members of the public selected by DTSC. The executive directors of DTSC, ARB, SWRCB and CalRecycle, and the chair of the Environmental Policy Council, serve as ex-officio members. The committee is responsible for providing advice to DTSC on pollution prevention program priorities.

Current Advisory Committee members, workplans and projects can be found here.

Sets Priorities -- SB 1916 requires that DTSC, in consultation with the Advisory Committee:

Prepare a workplan every two years for the pollution prevention program
Identify targeted industries and waste streams
Present a list and schedule of planned outreach and technical assistance activities

Requires Data Analysis

Summarize available data on hazardous waste generation and management patterns
Estimate quantities by waste stream, industrial source and handling practice (e.g., on-site, off-site, landfill, treatment, recycling)
Evaluate source reduction progress and accomplishments

Expands Technical Assistance Program

Select two industry targets for pollution prevention outreach and assistance every two years
Conduct focused outreach, education and technical assistance
For industry categories that are typically large and/or complex, communicate with at least 80% of the state's companies in the selected category
At least one of the two targets must be a category that consists of small businesses
Work with Certified Unified Program Agencies, Small Business Development Corporations, business environmental assistance centers, and other regional and local government environmental programs to reach small business category

Strengthens Local Government Assistance Programs

Provide training and information resources to CUPAs
Reach at least 90% of the CUPAs each year

For more information, please contact:

Office of Pollution Prevention & Green Technology
P.O. Box 806
Sacramento, CA 95812-0806
(916) 322-3670 (ph)
(916) 327-4494 (fax)