State: Huntington far exceeds recycling rates

A state board has certified that Surf City has the state’s highest percentage of waste diversion, making it tied with Fresno for the best recycling practices in California.

The California Integrated Waste Management Board made the designation based on its 2006 Diversion Rate Report, which found that the city had a 71% diversion rate. The findings were approved by the board in December. Fountain Valley’s rating was 56%, and Costa Mesa and Seal Beach scored 62%. A state mandate requires cities to divert at least 50% of their waste.

— Candice Baker