Solid Waste Disposal Grows 55% over 10 Years; HHW Collection Fluctuates
Reducing solid waste production and diverting recyclables and green waste extends the life of landfills, decreases the need for costly alternatives, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. California requires that at least 50% of solid waste be diverted from disposal facilities, and the state has a policy goal of diverting 75% solid waste through source reduction, recycling, and composting. In addition, 75% of organic waste must be diverted away from landfills by 2025 through edible food recovery and green waste composting. Collection of household hazardous waste (HHW) – such as oil, paint, electronics, thermostats, batteries, and fluorescent tubes – helps protect the environment and public health by reducing illegal and improper HHW disposal. This indicator measures the tons of commercial and residential solid waste generated in San Bernardino County destined for disposal in-county and out-of-county. It also measures the pounds of HHW collected and the number of annual participants in the HHW program.
TREND
Solid Waste
Between 2014 and 2019, solid waste disposal was growing by approximately 5% annually. However, in 2020, the amount of waste generated and disposed in San Bernardino County jumped 15% to 2.25 million tons. The following year posted 4% growth, totaling 2.33 million tons in 2021. Over the past 10 years, waste generation and disposal has increased 55%, while San Bernardino County’s population grew an estimated 5%. While population growth can have some impact on disposal trends, economic factors and waste diversion programs are the primary drivers behind the amount of waste disposed.
SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL JUMPS IN 2020 AND CONTINUES TO GROW
Solid Waste Generated for Disposal Compared to Population in San Bernardino County, 2012-2021
Household Hazardous Waste
After a decline in HHW collection in 2019/20, the number of participants and pounds collected jumped in 2020/21, then fell again in 2021/22, but to a level that was on par with, or exceeding, pre-pandemic levels. Overall, participation in 2021/22 was 26% higher than 10 years ago and the number of pounds collected was 9% higher. The average amount each participating household contributed in 2021/22 was 60 pounds. This was less than the amount contributed per participating household in 2020/21 (65) but more than the amount contributed in 2019/20 (58).
HHW PARTICIPATION STABILIZES POST-PANDEMIC
Household Hazardous Waste Program Participation and Pounds of Waste Collected in San Bernardino County, 2013-2022
GEOGRAPHIC COMPARISON
In 2021, San Bernardino County residents and businesses produced slightly more waste than California overall (1.1 tons per person in San Bernardino County compared to 1.0 tons per person in California).[1] In terms of HHW, San Bernardino County’s per capita HHW collection rate in 2021/22 (1.6 pounds per person) was lower than California’s (2.8 pounds per person).[2]
County Fire Boosts Outreach to Mandarin-speaking Community
In 2022, County Fire translated four of their key HHW educational materials into Mandarin to increase awareness among this underserved population. The flyers are posted on the County Fire website and were distributed to cities in San Bernardino County.
County Partners with Communities and Haulers to Protect the Environment
The Department of Public Works Solid Waste Management Division (SWMD) offers a Community Clean-Up Program where SWMD coordinates with the County Code Enforcement Department, various community groups, and local haulers to provide large containers to collect solid waste that has been illegally disposed of. The hauler or SWMD covers the costs for the containers provided for collection of materials, and SWMD covers the cost for disposal or recycling of the waste collected at community clean-up events. In 2022, SWMD provided containers for 48 community clean-ups, removing over 700,000 pounds of trash and over 85,000 pounds of tires out of unincorporated communities in San Bernardino County.
In December 2022, the County Board of Supervisors approved contracts with local haulers to implement state-mandated (SB 1383) organic waste recycling collection programs for unincorporated area residents and businesses. The recycling of organic waste (including food waste) into compost will assist in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
[1] California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), Recycling and Disposal Reporting (www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/RecyclingDisposalReporting/Reports); California Department of Finance, Report E-2 (July population estimates)
[2] Based on 2017/18 data from CalRecycle, Household Hazardous Waste Form 303 Collection Information, as provided by San Bernardino County Fire Department and retrieved from CalRecycle.com; California Department of Finance, Report E-5 (January population estimates)