CLEARLAKE — A Mandatory Commercial Recycling Plan (MCRP) is in place in the city of Clearlake. The plan satisfies state law AB 341, which mandates that jurisdictions have a strategic plan in place for implementing an MCRP by July 1.
As of July 1, businesses are required to recycle and jurisdictions must implement a program that includes education, outreach and monitoring. The MCRP assures the city”s compliance with the new state regulations.
The plan was developed through the collaborative efforts of Public Works Director Doug Herren and Clearlake Waste Solutions (CWS), with the assistance of CalRecycle.
The MCRP is intended to promote recycling and diversion of solid waste and establish the requirements for recycling of materials generated by the commercial sector. “Commercial” is defined as any business or public entity, including schools and non-profit organizations, that generate four cubic yards or more of commercial solid waste per week, or a multi-family residential complex with five or more units regardless of the amount of commercial solid waste generated.
Education and outreach strategies include electronic, print and direct contact. In accordance with the plan, the CWS will update its website, as well as the city”s website when it goes online, with language about the MCRP, ways to comply, recycling opportunities and where to get assistance.
The Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce will be asked to post an announcement about the MCRP on its website with reference to where more information is available.
CWS will prepare recycling brochures and/or flyers with information about the MCRP and how to recycle locally to supplement existing printed materials about recycling.
Direct contact efforts include mailers, follow-up phone calls, free waste assessments, presentations and speaking engagements at public events.
CWS will also work with the Konocti Unified School District to help develop recycling programs in schools.
To monitor the effort, CWS will track the businesses, public entities and multi-family complexes subject to the MCRP and those not subscribing to recycling services and provide that information to the city.
A notice will be mailed to businesses and the owners and property managers of multi-family residential complexes that are not recycling to inform them of the MCRP, how to comply, recycling opportunities and where to get more information. Waste assessment results, issues encountered and progress will be tracked and reported to the city.
