Solid Waste Disposal DIPS SLIGHTLY; Household Hazardous Waste DISPOSAL PARTICIPATION INCREASES
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 all jurisdictions to annually divert at least 50% of solid waste from disposal facilities (Assembly Bill 939). In addition, by 2025, the State has a target for 75% less organic waste to be sent to landfills and 20% of unsold, still-edible food to be sent to food recovery organizations (Senate Bill 1383). The 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
After substantial growth in solid waste disposal in 2020, waste generated in San Bernardino County and disposed both in and out of the county began to flatten, growing 4% in 2021, 0% in 2022, 1% in 2023, and falling 1% in 2024. In 2024, county residents and businesses disposed of 2.34 million tons of waste, just under the 25-year high in 2005. Over the past 10 years, waste generation and disposal has increased by 45%, 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 CONTINUES FLATTENING TREND
Solid Waste Generated for Disposal Compared to Population in San Bernardino County, 2015-2024
Household Hazardous Waste
HHW participation and pounds collected fluctuate each year, but on average, since 2015/16, there has been 3% annual growth in the number of participants and 1% annual growth in pounds collected. The average amount each participating household contributed in 2024/25 was 51 pounds. This was less than the annual average of 59 pounds per participant over the past 10-years. In 2024/25, 9% of San Bernardino County service area households participated in HHW disposal, the same proportion as the year before.
HOUSEHOLD PARTICIPATION IN HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL NEARLY SURPASSES 10-YEAR HIGH
Household Hazardous Waste Program Participation and Pounds of Waste Collected in San Bernardino County, 2015/16-2024/25
GEOGRAPHIC COMPARISON
In 2024, on average, San Bernardino County residents and businesses produced similar amounts of waste as California residents overall (1.0 ton per person in both San Bernardino County and California).[1] In terms of HHW, San Bernardino County’s per capita HHW collection rate in 2024/25 (1.5 pounds per person) was approximately half of California’s rate (2.8 pounds per person).[2]
[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 2024/25 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)