07/17/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/17/2023 16:53
SACRAMENTO - The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) today released the first draft of the Hazardous Waste Management Report as required by Senate Bill 158 (SB 158). It is the first step in an iterative process to determine the types of information and additional research needed to guide a comprehensive planning process for the future of sustainable hazardous waste management in the state. A workshop is being held (in-person and on Zoom) on August 9 in Sacramento to review the data and discuss next steps toward development of a Hazardous Waste Management Plan.
"Release of this report marks the beginning of renewed and forward-thinking conversations about the ways in which we generate and manage hazardous waste across the state," said Yana Garcia, Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA). "This is a deeply complex system, and developing more efficient and sustainable waste management strategies will require thoughtful and deliberate policy approaches. I look forward to working with partners across the state on improved data collection and waste management - now and into the future."
The purpose of the Report is to present information about the different sources and quantities of hazardous wastes generated in the state, as well as destinations, and eventual disposal locations through analysis of available data to:
"Over the years DTSC has maintained and enforced one of the most robust and protective hazardous waste management programs in the nation," said Meredith Williams, DTSC's Director. "The Hazardous Waste Management Draft Report is the first step to ensuring we continue to manage hazardous waste in a sustainable manner. This report provides data on our hazardous waste management system and recommends areas for future work. We look forward to engaging with the public during every step of the planning process."
This initial report sets the stage for robust public policy discussions on sustainable hazardous waste management in the state. Recommendations for how California should manage this waste will be made through Hazardous Waste Management Plans and informed by public discussions with the Board of Environmental Safety (BES), which is responsible for approving final plans. The first of these plans is due March 2025, and every three years thereafter.
Based on consideration of public input and statutory requirements, DTSC has identified four primary areas to examine for the Plan:
To further inform this Report and the development of the Hazardous Waste Management Plan, DTSC will collaborate with community stakeholders, regulated businesses, sovereign tribal governments, and other government agencies. A workshop is being held (in-person and on Zoom) on August 9, 2023, from 10am to 5pm at CalEPA's Headquarters in Sacramento. Click here to learn more about this event and to register.