CRRA2020

Executive Director

Doug has been “talking trash” for nearly 28 years and is currently Executive Director for the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC).  Previously, he spent over 18 years with Sacramento County, 2+ years with Edgar & Associates, and 5+ years with Yolo County.  He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from California State University, Chico.

Doug is the Vice-Chair on the SWANA California Chapters Legislative Task Force.  Formerly, he was the Chair of CPSC, the Founding President of National Stewardship Action Council (NSAC), Chair of the Mattress Advisory Committee, and a member of the California Carpet Stewardship Program Advisory Committee.

Solar Panel Recycling. Where are we? Where are we heading?

Solar energy continues to be a primary means for green energy production in California and across the nation.  Like any product, solar panels have an expected lifespan.  When the end of that lifespan has been met, or electrical production has fallen below minimum economic efficiency, what are the options for reuse or recycling of those panels?  What should be the minimum lifespan of these panels being sold into California?  How will the California PUC requirement for solar on all new rooftops affect the product waste stream in the near future?  Are we heading for a crisis? 

This presentation will address these questions and explore existing and potential solutions to the looming influx of solar panels that will be coming off the rooftops and out of the solar farms over the next 5-10 years.

Senior Environmental Scientist

Paulina Kolic, PhD, supervises the Facilities and Targeted Materials Unit at CalRecycle. Prior to this she was a science policy fellow with the Gulf Research Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine at the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana. She holds a doctorate in analytical chemistry from Louisiana State University and a bachelors of science in chemistry from California State University Channel Islands.

Addressing End-of-Life Management for Solar Panels and Electric Vehicle Batteries

The exponential increases in the adoption of solar power and electric vehicles in California have led to concerns regarding eventual end-of-life management. In May 2018, CalRecycle’s Director approved and adopted The Future of Electronic Waste Management in California report and the recommendations contained within, including the recommendation to prepare for the end-of-life management of solar panels and lithium ion batteries. This report led CalRecycle to sign a memorandum of understanding with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and co-lead an interagency workgroup, composed of five state agencies in California, to partner on developing consistent approaches to managing waste solar panels, electric vehicle batteries, and energy storage batteries. Through these efforts CalRecycle co-hosted a workshop with the CPUC to gather information on current policies and programs and identify challenges to proper disposal and recycling. In addition, CalRecycle is a member of the Lithium-ion Car Battery Recycling Advisory Group, established by Assembly Bill 2832 (Dahle, Statutes of 2018), and convened by the California Environmental Protection Agency. Currently, CalRecycle is in the process of publishing a joint white paper on the findings of these efforts, which will include policy recommendations for end-of-life management.

Environmental Specialist

Adrina Hernandez is an Environmental Specialist with the City of Oceanside’s Green Oceanside team and has played an active role in creating a positive impact in the community she grew up in. Through the implementation of environmental campaigns and programming, she is dedicated to promoting sustainability both in and out of the office. Adrina holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies with a minor in Business Administration, a certificate in Zero Waste Principles and Practices from CRRA and SWANA, and is the president of her Environmental Alumni Association.

1 lb. Propane Cylinders: Creating a Successful Exchange Program

The City of Oceanside is home to boating enthusiasts, active hikers, and beach goers and receives hundreds of thousands of visitors year-round. Whether it be for barbequing, heating, or boating appliances, many of these residents and visitors utilize 1 lb. propane cylinders for their daily needs.

Single-use 1 lb. propane cylinders have been a serious problem across California, with many being improperly disposed of and creating a hazard for communities. After receiving a grant from CalRecycle and partnering with the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC), the City of Oceanside’s Green Oceanside team was able to target this growing issue and educate the Oceanside community on the impact single-use propane cylinders have on the environment, inform the community on how to properly dispose of single-use propane cylinders, and provide a refillable alternative with information on how to refill locally.

The Green Oceanside team created an innovative pledge card, which was used during exchange events at U-Haul, the City’s household hazardous waste facility, Oceanside City Hall, the Oceanside Harbor, and other locations. Along with the pledge card, the City of Oceanside was able to work alongside the City’s Harbor Office to host a collection receptacle for the proper disposal of single-use cylinders.

This presentation will provide a model for a successful exchange program through lessons learned and highlight how the City of Oceanside thought outside of the box to get refillable propane cylinders into the hands of the community.