Santa Cruz Zero Waste Resolution

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[Zero Waste resolution passed unanimously November 2, 1999.]

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ, STATE OF CALIFORNIA

RESOLUTION NO. 440-99

RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING "AMERICA RECYCLES DAY" AND ENCOURAGING A ZERO WASTE LONG-TERM GOAL FOR SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

WHEREAS, each year, residents of the U.S. generate more than 217 million tons of municipal solid waste - more than 4.4 pounds per person per day; and

WHEREAS, though the nation has reached an overall recycling rate of more than 28 percent, more can be done, especially in "closing the loop" by purchasing products made with recycled content; and

WHEREAS, the placement of materials in waste disposal facilities, such as landfills and incinerators, wastes natural resources, wrongly transfers liabilities to future generations, and has the potential to cause damage to human health; and,

WHEREAS, avoiding the creation of waste or discards in the first place is the most economically efficient and environmentally sustainable resource management strategy; and,

WHEREAS, a resource recovery-based economy will create and sustain more productive and meaningful jobs than a disposal-based economy; and,

WHEREAS, with the appropriate economic incentives, manufacturers can and will produce and businesses will sell products that are durable and repairable and that can be safely recycled back into the marketplace or nature; and,

WHEREAS, government is ultimately responsible for establishing criteria needed to eliminate waste, for creating the economic and regulatory environment in which to achieve it, and for leading by example.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that November 15, 1999, is hereby proclaimed as "America Recycles Day" in Santa Cruz County; and

The County of Santa Cruz hereby encourages the pursuit of zero waste as a long-term goal in order to eliminate waste and pollution in the manufacture, use, storage, and recycling of materials. This goal can be achieved through action plans and measures that significantly reduce waste and pollution. These measures will include encouragement of residents, businesses and agencies to judiciously use, reuse, and recycle materials, and motivation of businesses to manufacture and market less toxic and more durable, repairable, reusable, recycled, and recyclable products.

This resolution shall become effective upon adoption.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Cruz, State of California, this 2nd day of November 1999 by the following vote:
(unanimous).



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