California Code of Regulations
Title 14 - Natural Resources
Division 7 - Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery
Chapter 9 - Planning Guidelines and Procedures for Preparing and Revising Countywide Integrated Waste Management Plans
Article 6.1 - Solid Waste Generation Studies
Section 18722 - Solid Waste Generation Studies-General Requirements

Universal Citation: 14 CA Code of Regs 18722

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) Relation to Waste Characterization Component. For the purposes of this Chapter, a solid waste generation study constitutes the waste characterization component of the SRR Element required by sections 41003, 41030, 41303 and 41330 of the Public Resources Code.

Each jurisdiction shall prepare an initial solid waste generation study and all subsequent solid waste generation studies in accordance with the requirements of this Article. Additional specific requirements and guidelines for the initial solid waste generation study are defined in Section 18724 of this Article.

(b) Regional and Joint Solid Waste Generation Studies.

Solid waste generation studies may be conducted by an individual jurisdiction for solid waste generated within that jurisdiction, or jointly by two or more jurisdictions for the solid waste generated within the participating jurisdictions.

(c) Solid Waste Generation Data Projections. All solid waste generation studies shall include a 15-year projection of the solid waste to be generated within the jurisdiction, and diverted and disposed by the jurisdiction. The projected time period shall commence from the date of the local adoption of a SRR Element. The projection is to include the amounts, waste categories and waste types generated, diverted from disposal, and disposed, for each year of the 15-year period, under (1) the solid waste management system conditions and diversion activities existing at the time that the Solid Waste Generation study is prepared, and under (2) the solid waste management system conditions expected to be realized after a jurisdiction's implementation of its SRR Element and its attainment of the statutory diversion mandates.

(1) Acceptable information sources which may be used by the jurisdiction to determine and project changes in population, or in governmental, residential, industrial, and commercial operations, shall be the following:

(A) documented population data available from the California Department of Finance;

(B) documented employment data available from the California State Employment Development Department;

(C) documented industrial and commercial operations data available from the California Department of Commerce or from the California State Employment Development Department;

(D) documented data available in a local jurisdiction's adopted current General Plan;

(E) documented data available from published reports of local associations of governments and chambers of commerce;

(F) documented data available from the U.S. Census Bureau;

(G) documented jurisdiction-specific demographic, economic, and solid waste data developed and published by a jurisdiction in the course of the preparation of its solid waste generation study.

(d) Annual Report on Solid Waste Generation.

The annual report on the implementation of the SRR Element, required pursuant to Section 41821 of the Public Resources Code, shall contain the jurisdiction's analysis of the need to revise its solid waste generation study, including the need to revise its data on the sources of generation, diversion and disposal, and its data on categories and types of solid waste generated, diverted and disposed.

(e) Uses of Solid Waste Generation Data.

Data obtained from a solid waste generation study shall be used to determine the total quantity of solid waste generated within the jurisdiction, and diverted and disposed, for purposes of identifying the quantities and types of materials to be diverted from disposal pursuant to Sections 41780 and 41781 of the Public Resources Code.

(f) Measuring Solid Waste Quantity. In determining the aggregate quantity of solid waste generated, each jurisdiction shall use the following types of measurements: volume or weight. The conversion factors used to convert volume to weight, or weight to volume, shall be provided in the solid waste generation study and submitted to the Board in the SRR Element.

(1) Conversion Factors. The conversion factors used for measurement of the quantity of solid waste may be those from published sources and/or those derived from test measurements developed by a jurisdiction. A solid waste generation study shall cite all published sources of conversion factors used by a jurisdiction. For conversion factors derived from test measurements developed by a jurisdiction, a jurisdiction shall include in the solid waste generation study, a summary of the test measurement methods used. Conversion factors submitted by a jurisdiction are subject to approval by the Board at the time of the Board's consideration of approval of a jurisdiction's submitted SRR Element.

(A) By January 1, 1992, the Board shall complete a study and compile a list of acceptable conversion factors for each specific waste type listed in (j) of this section.

(2) Generation. For solid wastes sampled or estimated to be produced at the sources of generation, e.g., residential units and commercial units, or at solid waste transfer stations, the quantity of solid wastes generated shall be reported in weight. Data collected in terms of volume shall be converted to weight.

(3) Diversion. For solid wastes which are diverted from transformation and disposal facilities, and which are sampled by means of a quantitative field analysis at recycling, composting and solid waste reduction facilities, the quantities of solid wastes which are diverted by means of recycling, composting or source reduction shall be reported in weight. Data collected in terms of volume shall be converted to weight.

For solid wastes which are diverted from transformation and disposal facilities, and which are not sampled by means of a quantitative field analysis but which are estimated from existing records to be diverted from transformation or disposal facilities, the quantities of solid waste which are diverted by means of recycling, composting or source reduction shall be reported in weight. Data collected in terms of volume shall be converted to weight.

(4) Transformation and Disposal. For solid wastes sampled or estimated to be received at solid waste transformation facilities and solid waste disposal sites, the quantity of solid wastes disposed shall be reported in both volume and weight. For solid wastes disposed in permitted solid waste landfills the volume measurement shall be expressed in terms of in-place volume in the landfill, after compaction, as measured in a waste cell in the upper lift of a waste management unit excluding the volume of cover material in the cell. For the purposes of this section, cell is defined in Section 17225.9, of title 14 of the California Code of Regulations. For the purposes of this section, waste management unit is defined in Public Resources Code section 43000(a).

(A) When solid waste volumes are recorded as uncompacted solid wastes or solid wastes compacted in refuse vehicles or solid waste transfer trailers, a jurisdiction shall state the conversion factors used to convert these volumes to in-place volumes in the landfill. A solid waste generation study shall cite all published sources of conversion factors for solid waste volumes used by a jurisdiction.

(5) Mixed Loads. If a refuse collection vehicle chosen for sampling has a mixed load of solid waste that is collected from more than one source of generation, or from more than one jurisdiction, a weight or volume fraction (i.e., the quantity) arising from each source of generation or jurisdiction along the collection route shall be estimated. This estimation shall be proportionally based on the number of residential, commercial and industrial units from the solid waste collection route sampled, and/or on the weight or volume of the contents of each refuse container which is sampled at the source(s) of generation. Where the number of units, or weight or volume of each refuse container, are determined by a jurisdiction to be unavailable, a jurisdiction may use population estimates to proportionally allocate the origins of solid wastes.

(6) Weight to be Used for Compliance with Diversion Standards. The total weight of solid waste generated by a jurisdiction and diverted from disposal shall be the standard by which the Board shall measure a jurisdiction's compliance with the statutory diversion requirements of section 41780 of the Public Resources Code.

(g) Determination of Solid Waste Generation. The total solid waste generated by a jurisdiction shall be the sum of the total solid waste disposed, as quantified in the solid waste disposal characterization, plus the total solid waste diverted from permitted solid waste landfills and transformation facilities through any combination of existing source reduction, recycling, and composting programs, as quantified in the solid waste diversion characterization.

(1) The total quantity of solid waste disposed shall include only solid waste transformed or disposed in permitted solid waste transformation or disposal facilities. Solid wastes placed in illegal dumps or unpermitted landfills cannot be counted as a part of the total solid waste generated, for the purposes of the solid waste generation study.

(2) Expressed as an equation, the total solid waste generated by the jurisdiction shall be computed as follows:

GEN = DISP + DIVERT

where:

GEN = the total quantity of solid waste generated within the jurisdiction.

DISP = the total quantity of solid waste, generated within the jurisdiction, which is transformed or disposed in permitted solid waste facilities.

DIVERT = the total quantity of solid waste, generated within the jurisdiction, which is diverted from permitted solid waste transformation and disposal facilities, through existing source reduction, recycling, and composting programs.

(h) Representative Sampling of Solid Waste. The solid waste generation study shall be performed in two (2) parts, consisting of:

(1) a representative determination of the composition and quantity of solid waste disposed within and by the jurisdiction, i.e., a waste disposal characterization, and,

(2) a representative determination of the composition and quantity of solid waste generated within the jurisdiction which is diverted from solid waste landfills and solid waste transformation facilities, i.e., a waste diversion characterization.

(A) A solid waste generation study shall be representative of all residential, commercial, industrial and other sources of waste generation in the jurisdiction. It shall also be representative of all solid waste source reduction, recycling, composting, transformation and disposal activities and facilities in the jurisdiction or used by the jurisdiction and its residents and businesses.

(i) Identification of Solid Waste Sources, Categories and Types. The solid waste generation study shall identify all significant sources of solid waste generated by a jurisdiction, identify all solid waste diversion programs and activities in a jurisdiction, all solid waste diversion facilities used by a jurisdiction which are either located in that jurisdiction or used by that jurisdiction, and identify all permitted solid waste transformation and disposal facilities used by a jurisdiction. The solid waste generation study shall identify solid wastes generated, diverted and disposed by volume and/or weight, according to the requirements of section 18722(f) of this article, and by waste category and waste type from the following sources of generation within the jurisdiction:

(A) residential

(B) commercial

(D) other sources

The source of waste generation listed in (D) above and titled "other sources," may be used by a jurisdiction to identify sources of solid waste generation which it determines are not categorized as residential, commercial, or industrial sources of waste generation. Some examples of "other sources" of solid waste generators are: state and national parks and recreation areas, and self-haul vehicles.

(1) Sampling Period. Solid waste diversion and disposal characterizations shall demonstrate the composition and quantity of solid wastes diverted and disposed by the jurisdiction during a continuous twelve month period subsequent to 1984, pursuant to the requirements set forth in sections 18722(a) and (b) of this article. Data collection is not required for each day of the sampling period.

(2) Seasonal Variations. A solid waste generation study shall quantify seasonal variations in solid waste generation.

A. For a jurisdiction which uses a quantitative field analysis for the initial solid waste generation study prepared for the SRR Element, only one sampling period (e.g., one week) is required for each of the seasons identified by a jurisdiction that occur within the 6-month sampling period chosen by a jurisdiction. Only that amount of waste which enables a jurisdiction to meet the requirements of Section 41780(a)(1) of the Public Resources Code needs to be sampled by a jurisdiction.

A jurisdiction may use existing data from its own jurisdiction or from a similar jurisdiction, as defined in Section 18724(c) of this article, to determine the seasonal variation in the quantities and composition of solid wastes, and to determine the seasonal ratios of solid wastes generated, diverted and disposed, if the jurisdiction cannot obtain such data during its 6-month sampling period.

B. In subsequent solid waste generation studies prepared for revisions of SRR Elements, the data for a quantitative field analysis shall be collected with a frequency sufficient to sample the solid waste generated during all seasons identified by the jurisdiction, and in the amount needed to satisfy the requirements of section 41780 of the Public Resources Code.

C. For all solid waste generation studies, data collection is not required for each day of the seasons identified. In each season identified by a jurisdiction, the frequency of sampling shall be sufficient to provide a representative characterization of solid wastes generated, diverted, and disposed in the amounts needed to satisfy the requirements of section 41780 of the Public Resources Code. In subsequent solid waste generation studies, the frequency of sampling shall be statistically representative of the seasons sampled.

(3) Marine Wastes. A jurisdiction shall, in its solid waste generation study, identify all marine wastes generated in the jurisdiction and assign them to the waste categories and waste types listed in (j) of this section, or shall demonstrate that marine wastes generated within the jurisdiction have been accounted for within the commercial sources of solid waste generation.

(j) Solid Waste Categories and Types. A solid waste generation study shall identify solid waste generation, within a jurisdiction, by volume and weight, in accordance with the requirements of (f) of this section. A solid waste generation study shall identify solid waste generation within a jurisdiction by the following waste categories denoted by numerals 1 through 8, and the waste types which are identified by letter within each waste category:

(1) Paper:

(A) corrugated containers and brown paper bags

(B) mixed paper

(D) high grade ledger paper

(E) other paper

(2) Plastics:

(A) high-density polyethylene (HDPE) containers

(B) polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers

(D) other plastics

(3) Glass:

(A) refillable glass beverage containers

(B) California Redemption Value glass

(D) other non-recyclable glass

(4) Metals:

(A) aluminum cans

(B) bi-metal containers

(D) non-ferrous metals including aluminum scrap

(E) white goods

(F) other metals

(5) Yard Waste, including leaves, grass, and prunings

(6) Other Organics:

(A) food waste

(B) tires and rubber products

(D) agricultural crop residues

(E) manure

(F) textiles and leather

(G) other miscellaneous organics

(7) Other Wastes:

(A) inert solids, including rock, concrete, brick, sand, soil, fines, asphalt, sheetrock

(B) household hazardous waste materials and discarded household hazardous waste materials containers

(8) Special Wastes:

(A) ash

(B) sewage sludge

(D) asbestos

(E) auto shredder waste

(F) auto bodies

(G) other special wastes

A jurisdiction may add additional waste types to this list, but only if the quantities of these additional waste types are not duplicates of the reported quantities of the waste types given in the list above.

(k) Composite Solid Wastes. A jurisdiction shall, in the case of a composite solid waste material which is readily separable into individual components, estimate in a solid waste generation study the separate percent contribution, by volume or weight, of each identifiable and separable waste category and waste type in the composite solid waste material.

(l) Sampling Methodologies. Each jurisdiction shall use one or more of the methodologies listed in (1) through (4) of this subsection, to characterize the waste categories, waste types and quantities of the solid wastes generated within the jurisdiction and diverted or disposed in solid waste landfills or transformation facilities, using the waste categories and types given in Sections 18722(i) and (j) of this article.

(1) Quantitative Field Analysis. The quantitative field analysis methodology shall be conducted using data which is collected in the field either from the sources of generation, from refuse collection vehicles or solid waste transfer vehicles; solid waste source reduction, recycling, and composting programs and facilities; and/or permitted solid waste transformation and disposal facilities.

For the purposes of this section, quantitative field analysis consists of two steps: (1) the physical separation and sorting of residential, commercial, industrial or other solid wastes, and/or the visual survey of the composition of the solid wastes contained in self-haul vehicles, industrial solid wastes contained in debris boxes or other industrial solid waste containers, and (2) the physical measurement or accurate estimation and recording of the weight and/or volume of the solid wastes observed when performing step (1).

(2) Materials Flow Methodology. A materials flow methodology is one in which a jurisdiction estimates, using data on the quantities of specific commodities sold in the jurisdiction's marketplace, the quantity of solid wastes generated as a result of sales of those commodities. With this methodology, adjustments are to be made for (a) import and export of commodities to and from a jurisdiction, (b) commodity lifetime, and (c) other variables identified by a jurisdiction.

(3) Jurisdiction-Specific Data. This methodology is one in which a jurisdiction uses existing published data to estimate the amounts of solid wastes specific to its jurisdiction, e.g., data on demolition and construction wastes, sludges, automobile bodies, nonhazardous industrial wastes, incinerator residues, and other solid wastes which cannot be easily sampled or estimated by another methodology allowed by this section.

(4) Existing Data from Comparable Jurisdictions. The comparable jurisdiction methodology is one by which the jurisdiction analyzes solid waste generated in the jurisdiction by using existing solid waste composition data from another jurisdiction or jurisdictions in California, except as allowed in the following paragraphs of this subsection.

The use of out-of-state waste composition data is acceptable, provided that the jurisdiction submits with its solid waste generation study a statement of justification which satisfies its burden of proof of demonstrating the following:

1. The out-of-state data must be comparable to data available within California, and satisfy the requirements of subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of this section;

2. The statutory and regulatory framework of the state from which the data is derived must be consistent with the California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, as amended, and its attendant regulations, such that it is evident that the framework has not significantly impacted the relative composition of the solid wastes disposed and diverted in that state.

As a part of demonstrating the data's comparability and legal consistency, a jurisdiction shall submit a complete copy of the following, at the time the jurisdiction submits its SRR Element for the Board's consideration:

i) . the waste characterization study and composition data it is using, and

ii) . the solid waste statutory and regulatory framework of the state from which the study and data originated.

For the purposes of this section, out-of-state data refers only to data obtained from other states of the United States.

Except for the initial solid waste generation study, and as allowed by section 18724(c) of this article, data from another jurisdiction may be used to characterize the composition of solid waste generated only if all of the following criteria are met:

(A) the jurisdiction's population is within plus or minus 10% of that of the jurisdiction conducting the solid waste generation study; and

(B) the jurisdiction's total residential solid waste tonnage disposed is within plus or minus 10% of the total residential tonnage disposed by the jurisdiction conducting the solid waste generation study, or the jurisdiction's number of residential dwelling units is within plus or minus 10% of the number of residential units of the jurisdiction conducting the solid waste generation study; and

(C) the jurisdiction's total commercial solid waste tonnage disposed is within plus or minus 10% of the total commercial tonnage disposed by the jurisdiction conducting the solid waste generation study, or the jurisdiction's number of commercial units is within plus or minus 10% of the number of commercial units of the jurisdiction conducting the solid waste generation study.

(m) Solid Wastes Countable Towards Diversion.

For purposes of determining the quantity and types of solid wastes diverted, only those solid wastes which are normally disposed of at permitted solid waste landfills or permitted solid waste transformation facilities, and which are allowed to be counted toward the statutory diversion mandates pursuant to Sections 41781(a) and (b) of the Public Resources Code, as amended shall be included.

(n) Unacceptability of Double and Multiple Counting. A jurisdiction shall not double count or multiple count solid wastes that are diverted from disposal by recycling, composting and source reduction programs and facilities.

(o) Accuracy of Data. A jurisdiction shall, in compiling necessary data on the quantities and composition of solid wastes generated, diverted and disposed, develop a system of reporting procedures which will, as accurately as possible, quantify data reported from local governments, special districts, solid waste haulers, solid waste facility operators, scrap dealers, recycling facilities, recycling programs, and source reduction programs, for the purposes of the preparation of the SRRE, the Household Hazardous Waste Element, and the Countywide Siting Element. This system of reporting shall be separately outlined in the solid waste generation study when it is submitted to the Board.

1. New section filed 3-19-90 as an emergency; operative 3-19-90 (Register 90, No. 14). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL within 120 days or emergency language will be repealed on 7-17-90. For prior history, see Registers 89, No. 1 and 83, No. 6.
2. New section refiled 7-6-90 as an emergency; operative 7-17-90 (Register 90, No. 37). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 11-14-90 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
3. Editorial correction of Certificate of Compliance due date in HISTORY 2 (Register 91, No. 13).
4. Request for readoption of 7-6-90 emergency regulations approved by OAL 11-6-90 but never filed with Secretary of State. Section repealed by operation of Government Code section 11346.1(e) (Register 91, No. 13).
5. New section refiled 2-15-91 as an emergency; operative 2-15-91 (Register 91, No. 13). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 6-17-91 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
6. Editorial correction of printing error in subsection (j)(7)(A) (Register 91, No. 31).
7. Certificate of Compliance as to 2-15-91 order including amendment and renumbering of prior section 18724 to subsection 18722(l), and amendment and renumbering of prior section 18726 to subsections 18722(m) and (n), transmitted to OAL on 4-29-91 and filed 5-29-91 (Register 91, No. 37).
8. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (f)(3) filed 7-11-91 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 92, No. 12).
9. Amendment of article heading, section heading, text and NOTE filed 3-31-94 as an emergency; operative 3-31-94 (Register 94, No. 13). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 3-31-97 pursuant to Public Resources Code section 40502(c) or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
10. Editorial correction of subsections (a), (e)(1), (f)(3), (f)(5), (g), (i)(3), (i)(4), (l), (l)(4)(A) and (m)(1) (Register 94, No. 37).
11. Editorial correction restoring HISTORY 6 and renumbering remaining HISTORY NOTES (Register 95, No. 19).
12. Reinstatement of article heading, section heading, section and NOTE as they existed prior to 3-31-94 emergency amendment filed 7-31-97 by operation of Government Code section 11346.1(g) (Register 97, No. 31).
13. Change without regulatory effect amending subsections (c)(1)(B)-(C) filed 7-15-99 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 99, No. 29).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 40502 and 41824, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 41003, 41030, 41031, 41033, 41300, 41303, 41330, 41331, 41333, 41780, 41781 and 41821, Public Resources Code.

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