New Bill AB341 States all Businesses Must Have a Recycling Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                October 7, 2011

Governor Jerry Brown yesterday signed legislation establishing the most ambitious recycling goal in the nation for California, at the same time enacting incentives aimed at increasing recycled material processing and manufacturing in-state. Together, this strategy is aimed at creating more than 60,000 green jobs in the state over the next 8 years. 

Assembly Bill 341 by Assembly Member Wesley Chesbro  (D – North Coast) sets a 75 percent recycling goal for California by 2020—the most ambitious in the nation. Additionally, the measure requires every commercial business, institution and apartment building to implement recycling programs.

“Recycling is a powerful fuel that helps propel California’s engine,” said Assembly Member Wes Chesbro. “California’s commitment to recycling has created 125,000 new jobs over the past two decades. The industry generates $4 billion a year in salaries and produces $10 billion worth of goods and services annually.”

“AB 341 expands on the law passed 21 years ago that made California the nation’s leader in recycling. Not only do we create more green jobs, we protect the environment and conserve energy by reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.”