CalRecycle, formerly the California Integrated Waste Management Board and the Department of Conservation Division of Recycling, asked the League to help distribute information to city officials about changes in the department. The following memo was distributed to department staff, state agencies and key stakeholders on Jan. 29.

On Jan. 1, 2010 California's recycling and waste diversion efforts were streamlined into the new Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery – CalRecycle. 

CalRecycle manages programs created through two landmark initiatives – the Integrated Waste Management Act and the Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act – that were formerly part of the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) and the Department of Conservation (DOC).  Now housed in the Natural Resources Agency, CalRecycle merges the duties of the board with those of DOC’s Division of Recycling to best protect public health and the environment by effectively and efficiently managing California’s waste disposal and recycling efforts.

CalRecycle is currently comprised of two program divisions: Waste Recovery and Recycling. The Division of Waste Recovery continues to promote the goals of Zero Waste California in partnership with local government, industry and the public. The division manages the approximate 93 million tons of waste generated each year by reducing whenever possible, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting the management of all materials to their highest and best use, and regulating the handling, processing and disposal of solid waste.

The department’s Division of Recycling manages California’s Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act, which was enacted in 1986. This division works to achieve and maintain high recycling rates for a variety of beverage container types and is responsible for recycling program certification, registration, compliance, administration, and promotion.

In addition to the hundreds of program and policy experts at CalRecycle, Gov. Schwarzenegger has designated a leadership team to help the department continue California's tradition of advancing environmental stewardship.  Margo Reid Brown, former chair of the CIWMB, serves as CalRecycle chief deputy director and is designated as acting director. Tom Estes is the department’s deputy director for administration; Alicia McGee is deputy director for communications and public affairs, Jason Marshal is deputy director for recycling; Elliot Block is deputy director for legal affairs, Lisa Macumber is deputy director for legislative affairs and Mark Leary is deputy director for waste management.

We invite you to visit our new Web site, www.calrecycle.ca.gov, to access important information available to California consumers, businesses, recycling and waste-hauling industries, nonprofit organizations, educational facilities, and others. Our executive offices can be reached by calling (916) 322-4027 and our Office of Public Affairs staff is accessible at (916) 341-6300 or by sending an e-mail to opa@calrecycle.ca.gov.