HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 13217 (Zero Waste Goal)RESOLUTION NO. 13217
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A ZERO WASTE GOAL
WHEREAS, approximately 14% of the greenhouse gases emitted within the City of
San Rafael in 2005 were associated with waste disposal; and
WHEREAS, the California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989 (AB 939)
required that all California jurisdictions achieve a landfill diversion rate of 50% by the
year 2000, and reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost all discarded materials to the
maximum extent feasible before any landfilling or other destructive disposal method is
used; and
WHEREAS, the County of Marin has established itself as a State leader in waste
diversion and sustainability practices by exceeding the requirements of AB 939 to
achieve a 77% diversion rate in 2004 and is constantly looking for innovative ways to
decrease waste; and
WHEREAS, in 2001 the California Integrated Waste management Board set a goal
of Zero Waste in its strategic plan for the state; and cities, councils, counties, and states
worldwide have adopted a goal of achieving zero waste, including the counties of San
Francisco, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, and Del Norte in California; the cities of Palo
Alto, Oakland and Berkeley in California, Seattle in Washington, Toronto in Canada,
and Canberra in Australia; and the local state of New South Wales in Australia; and
45% of New Zealand's local government councils; and
WHEREAS, strategies to reach zero waste can help to promote the over -arching
goal of each generation leaving less of an ecological footprint on the earth; and
WHEREAS, on April 20, 2009 the San Rafael City Council adopted the San Rafael
Climate Change Action Plan which includes Program LF -11 which states, "Adopt a Zero
Waste Goal and develop a Zero Waste Strategic Plan for San Rafael"; and
WHEREAS, on July 18, 2011 the San Rafael City Council added the Sustainability
Element to General Plan 2020, which includes Policy SU -9 which states, "Reduce
material consumption and waste generation, increase resource re -use and composting
of organic waste, and recycle to significantly reduce and ultimately eliminate landfill
disposal," and Program SU -9a, which states, "Adopt a Zero Waste Goal and a Zero
Waste Strategic Plan to achieve this goal"; and
WHEREAS, the Marin County Hazardous and Solid Waste Management Joint
Powers Authority passed a Zero Waste resolution on November 9, 2006 and the County
of Marin passed a Zero Waste resolution on April 17, 2007.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of San Rafael joins the Marin
County Hazardous and Solid Waste Management Joint Powers Authority ("JPA")
representing the eleven cities and towns of Marin and the County of Marin, and hereby
adopts a goal of 80% landfill diversion by 2012 and 94% diversion by 2025, with
diversion meaning the elimination of materials from being disposed of in a landfill,
diversion of recyclable materials to be reprocessed into usable forms with minimal
transport, energy use and other deleterious environmental or social effects, the
maximum practical reuse, recirculation and repair of usable items and components, the
reduction of unnecessary packaging.
Exhibit 1
0 11'.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of San Rafael commits itself to the
ultimate goal of Zero Waste, whereby no materials are landfilled, but instead fully
recycled, repaired and reused.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of San Rafael, through the JPA, will support
the implementation and progressive refinement and strengthening of the Regional
Integrated Waste Management Plan and the development of a Strategic Plan that will
provide guidance in the planning and decision-making process to achieve the County's
Zero Waste Goal.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of San Rafael will partner with regional, state,
national and international communities to actively pursue strategies that will go beyond
reuse and recycling to eliminate waste upstream.
I, ESTHER C. BEIRNE, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing
Resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the City
Council of the City of San Rafael, held on Monday, the first day of August, 2011 by the following
vote, to wit:
AYES:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
Brockbank, Connolly, Heller & Mayor Boro
NOES:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
None
ABSENT:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
Levine
Ash e . 1�2 RL -C
ESTHER C. BEIRNE, City Clerk
Exhibit 1