Newport Beach reaches its state recycling goals

June Casagrande

When cities and counties throughout the state were told in 1989

that they had until the year 2000 to recycle half their trash, it

sounded like an awfully tall order. And for most, it was. Of the 445

jurisdictions affected by the 1989 act, only 172 have managed to pull

off the very ambitious goal of recycling half their garbage.

And Newport Beach couldn’t be more pleased to have made the cut.

Last week, the city was formally recognized by the California

Integrated Waste Management Board for taking this impressive bite out

of waste.

City General Services Director Dave Niederhaus credited the

accomplishment to “a teamwork approach to a major

challenge....Residents, recycling volunteers, business owners,

recycling committee members, solid waste haulers and staff made a

committed, focused approach that resulted in success.”

The state Legislature has amended the 1989 act to require cities

to continue this pace of recycling.

“We started way back in the 1970s, even before the mandate, with

paper recycling,” city Public Information Officer Marilee Jackson

said. “And now there is full residential recycling. That means

everything. Paper, glass, you name it.”

A list of all cities and counties that met the requirement can be

seen at www.ciwmb.ca.gov/PressRoom/Resources/DivRates.htm. For more

information about recycling in Newport Beach, call the General

Services Department at (949) 644-3055.