The WhyBehind the Work
This legislative timeline emphasizes the complexity of our industry and the driving forces behind what we do protecting public health while providing essential waste and recycling services. Since 1925, there have been more than 500 pieces of legislation and regulations impacting what we do. Over 80% of those have been written since 1990. It further demonstrates how these demands outpace our industry’s ability to respond to the exponential increase in and combination of:
OCWR’s strategic initiatives aim to streamline the chaos and bring regional solutions to our partners, in preparation for the long-term future of these services for generations. With additional challenges looming for management of other environmental disruptors, such as PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances), additional change is headed our way.
Shaping theFuture
Legislative Industry Impacts
Legislation has become a key driver of transformation within the waste and recycling industry, with hundreds of new bills passed in the past decade. Recent laws, including Assembly Bill (AB) 1594, AB 1826 and Senate Bill (SB) 1383, have placed a strong emphasis on diverting organic waste from landfills. These regulations have reshaped landfilling operations and redefined how everyone from municipalities to residents and businesses statewide manage waste. In response, OCWR has adopted a leadership role, embraced these regulations and expanded its operations to serve our regional needs. OCWR shares best practices and innovative technologies to proudly set industry standards both statewide and nationally.
Advocacyin Action
