Annual Report Summary - (Printer Friendly Version)

This section of the annual report presents the methods in which your agency informed both employees and customers served that a recycling program was being implemented. Below are identified the programs you reported were continued or implemented during 2006.

This section of the annual report presents your compliance with the State Agency Buy Recycled Campaign (SABRC). The activities identified below were reported as implemented or continued during 2006. (Note: Completing this section does not meet the SABRC reporting requirements (PCC Section 12162(b)).

Since the Intergrated Waste Managment Plan more waste is being recycled and waste diversion programs have been put in place. This allows us to get more accurate reportings.

We have continued to recycle at our District Office and at the larger field offices, supplies, furniture, and equipment. White paper, mixed paper, beverage containers, cardboard, and toner cartridges are also continued to be recycled. We were able to capture the amounts of paper, mixed paper, and cardboard through Bertic Waste Industries. Bertic Waste Industries provides a receipt when recycled material is retrieved. We have continued to recycle office furniture and computer equipment through charitable organizations, provided by the State Donor List.

The construction and demolition (C&D) waste and debris can vary in type and amount depending of project description and location. C&D waste debris may include concrete, asphalt, steel, guard railing and vegetation. Diversion programs have been put into place in our construction and maintenance projects. The overall intent is to have all construction projects and maintenance operations report their recycling activities yearly. This year our construction sites were required through the Caltrans Headquarters Construction office to submit form CEM4401 (Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling Reports). In 2005 there was only approximately 5 submitted and in 2006 I received a total of 38 reports. As a result from these reports we can provide and monitor the methodology of their recycling activities.

Another source of materials that are generated by the Department is a result of the fleet of vehicles owned by Caltrans. This includes our motor oils, engine lubricants, anti-freeze, tires, and solvents. In 2005 tires were reported incorrectly, this is now corrected. Although these may not count toward AB75 it is another process to recycle. In 2006 our South Region Maintenance office reported recycling materials that were not included in previous years. This has made an increase in our total tonnage disposed. With new methods put in place in the District, the overall diversion rate was raised at a rate of 90.2.

The increase in scrap metal is due to placement of bins for metal only at the Maintenance stations. Due to a change in policy of light poles, if they are damaged or bent, replacement is required. This metal is then recycled.

Amounts of materials disposed and diverted were determined by a variety of methods. For materials generated within the District Office and Headquarters, which were recycled, the documentation was achieved by reviewing the actual receipts from the independent vendors who supply this service. In cases where obtaining actual receipts was not feasible, estimates were used to projecting the size and weight of containers and multiplying the frequency of service. For materials, which were disposed of, the primary source for documentation was to extrapolate by determining the approximate average weight of the material in disposal containers multiplied by the frequency of service. For determining the weights of C&D debris the construction contractors supplied Caltrans with the information based on weight tickets and receipts and the Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling Reports (CEM-4401). In Materials Exchanges monitors were not included in the total weight. Weight conversion charts from the CIWWMB were also used to convert volumes to tons. In our Maintenance yards there are designated self-generated waste bends for the different waste picked up from our Highways and Freeways. Included are tires and rubber that are recycled or used for fuel. This is depending on the vendor’s discretion and or contract.

The Department does encourage the use of e-mail, double-sided copies and the reuse of envelopes. While these activities are included in the programs, they do not figure into the diversion calculations.

District 8 recycled cardboard, white and mixed paper, wood waste, scrap metal, tires, C&D, computers and furniture.

Through District efforts, Construction is monitoring and reporting recyclable materials such as AC grindings, concrete grindings, asphalt and material taken to local landfills on major projects. This year we were able to capture more accurate information through the Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling Reports. Resident Engineers are now tracking what is taken to landfills as well as different recycling areas.

The tonnage for wood has increased significantly in the past few years due to the mountain areas. In 2004 the mountain areas were infested with the bark beetle. Maintenance crews were forced to cut down large amounts of trees for safety reasons; this created a huge amount of wood being recycled.In 2006 this situation still remains.

The tonnage of Hazardous Waste has also decreased to due our Maintenance Shop. Most of our vehicles in the District are being farmed out to vendors for repairs and preventative maintenance. This is due to the lack of Maintenance Mechanics, were currently experiencing a shortage of mechanics.

The Department has identified one recycling coordinator in each District and at Headquarters along with a Resource Conservation Senior in the Headquarters Resource Conservation Branch. No additional PY`s were allocated for these positions. The recycling coordinators have the responsibility to report on AB 75 in addition to their normal duties.