Piedmont Municipal Code Div. 9.01 Intent and Findings

The city is committed to protecting the public health, safety, welfare and environment. To meet these goals it is necessary to promote the reduction of garbage going to landfills.

Under California law as embodied in the California Waste Management Act of 1989, as subsequently amended, (Public Resources Code section 40000 et seq.), Piedmont is required to prepare, adopt and implement source reduction and recycling elements to reach, maintain or exceed a minimum diversion rate for solid waste. Pursuant to the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act of 1990 (Measure D), and as a member agency of the Alameda County Waste Management Authority, the City is committed to the policy goal of reducing, recycling and composting the total tonnage of discarded materials generated within Alameda County.

The city council also finds that much of the waste generated in Piedmont can be effectively segregated and recycled, thus controlling and reducing the cost of waste disposal to Piedmont residents as well as making recyclable materials available for reuse and remanufacture.

Further, the city council finds that debris from demolition and construction of buildings represents a large portion of the volume presently coming from Piedmont, and that much of the debris is particularly suitable for recycling. Reusing and recycling construction and demolition debris is essential to further the city’s efforts to reduce waste and comply with state law and Measure D goals. Construction and demolition debris waste reduction and recycling have been proven to reduce the amount of such material which is land-filled, increase site and worker safety, and be cost effective. Except in unusual circumstances, it is feasible to divert an average of 65% of construction and demolition debris from construction, demolition, and renovation projects.