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INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT TASK FORCE |
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CONVERSION TECHNOLOGIES
| News |
Phase II Conversion Technology Evaluation Report Approved.
The Los Angeles County Integrated Waste Management Task Force approved the Phase II Conversion Technology Evaluation Report on October 18, 2007. The purpose of the Phase II Report is to help facilitate the development of a conversion technology demonstration facility in Southern California by further evaluating and verifying the qualifications of the shortlisted MRF facilities and technology suppliers.
You may view a copy of the full report, appendices, and executive summary below or at the County's conversion technology website, www.SoCalConversion.org
City of Los Angeles Receives 12 Proposals in response to their Alternative Technology RFP.
On February 7, 2007, the City of Los Angeles released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for development of commercial and emerging scale conversion technology facilities, utilizing MSW generated in the City of Los Angeles. RFP responses were due August 22, 2007, and a total of 12 technology suppliers submitted applications. The City of Los Angeles' Bureau of Sanitation is currently reviewing the submissions. More information regarding the City's efforts is available here.
FOX News discusses the shortage of landfill space and the need for conversion technologies on National Broadcast. On May 19, 2007, Fox News ran a coast to coast news segment on dwindling landfill capacity and conversion technologies. The segment highlights Los Angeles County's landfill plight, and the ability of conversion technologies to help better manage residual solid waste. The news segment can be seen here (WMV, 1.4 MB)
The Los Angeles Integrated Waste Management Task Force discusses the need to develop emerging technologies. On April 26, 2007, the Task Force drafted a response to San Gabriel Valley Tribune's editorial "Ethanol Efforts Worth The Pitfalls", which was printed in the paper's May 8, 2007, edition. A copy of the Task Force's response can be viewed here.
On February 7, 2007, the City of Los Angeles released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of commercial scale conversion technology facility utilizing MSW generated in the City of Los Angeles. RFP responses are due August 22, 2007, and a copy of the RFP is available for download on the City website.
On October 2, 2006, the County released a Request for Proposals for the Southern California Alternative Technology Outreach Implementation Plan (2006-AN003). The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved and awarded the contract on January 30, 2007, to Cerrell Associates. The contract will provide public outreach and education services to facilitate the development of the Southern California conversion technology demonstration project.
National Latino Congreso unanimously passes resolution in support of conversion technologies. At it's September, 2006 national delegates meeting in Los Angeles, the National Latino Congreso unanimously passed a resolution in support of conversion technologies and zero waste. The delegates recognized the importance of reducing waste and landfill disposal with regard to environmental justice. The full text of the resolution can be read here.
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| What Are Conversion Technologies? |
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Conversion technologies refer to a wide array of state of the art technologies capable of converting unrecyclable solid waste into useful products, such as green fuels and renewable energy, in an environmentally beneficial way. Utilizing conversion technologies to recover solid waste from disposal can: |
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reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other criteria pollutants;
reduce dependence on landfilling and imported fossil fuels;
enhance recycling efforts; and
exceed California's strict environmental standards.
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To learn more about conversion technologies, download this informational brochure:
California's Waste Conversion Technologies: Ensuring an Environmentally Clean and Abundant Future (PDF, 960 KB) |
| Task Force Efforts |
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The Task Force is currently supporting and promoting conversion technologies as a viable alternative to traditional waste disposal. As part of our efforts, we are currently working to facilitate the development of a demonstration conversion technology facility in Southern California. In 2003, the Task Force formed the Alternative Technology Advisory Subcommittee. Comprised of panel of experts in the field of solid waste management and emerging waste technologies, the Subcommittee works to investigate and promote the development of conversion technologies. Below are additional resources related to the Task Force's work on conversion technologies. |
| Conversion Technology Evaluation Report - Phase II Assessment |
The Los Angeles County Integrated Waste Management Task Force formally adopted the Phase II Conversion Technology Evaluation Report on October 18, 2007, which is available for download below:
Conversion Technology Evaluation report - Phase II Assessment
Executive Summary
Appendices
The conversion Technology Evaluation report - Phase II Assessment represents a culmination of approximately one year of research and analysis by the Task Force's Alternative Technology Advisory Subcommittee (Subcommittee), in conjunction with Alternative Resources, Inc. under contract with the County of Los Angeles.
Conversion Technology Evaluation Report
On August 18, 2005, the Los Angeles County Integrated Waste Management Task Force formally adopted the Subcommittee's comprehensive Conversion Technology Evaluation Report, available for download below: |
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Cover Letter (PDF, 217 KB)
Conversion Technology Evaluation Report (PDF, 3.1 MB)
Appendices (PDF, 4.6 MB)
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This Report represents a culmination of 18 months of research conducted in conjunction with URS Corporation. This Report is the first step in the effort to develop a demonstration conversion technology facility in Southern California, in order to obtain real-world data on the impacts and benefits of these technologies. |
| Resources and Links |
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To find out more on the studies, articles, reports, and other informative sources related to conversion technologies, please click on any of the links below: |
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A presentation entitled Southern California Conversion Technology Demonstration Project (PDF, 2832 KB) provides an overview of conversion technologies, their benefits, and the development process undertaken by the County of Los Angeles.
An article on the BioConversion Blog, Expanded Recycling - a Key to Cutting Fossil Fuels and Global Warming, discusses the significance of conversion technologies to the efforts to significantly expand recycling and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The BioConversion Blog is an excellent informational resource for conversion, recycling, and energy issues.
The City of Los Angeles is also evaluating conversion technologies (this process is independent from the County of Los Angeles), and have developed two reports, one by their Bureau of Sanitation and the other by the office of Councilmember Greig Smith.
The California Integrated Waste Management Board completed a very extensive Conversion Technology Report to the Legislature (DOC, 851 KB). Please note that this Report has not been officially re-adopted.
California Research Bureau's Brief on Biomass and Cellulosic Ethanol (PDF, 604 KB) and the California Energy Commission's Bioenergy Action Plan both include information regarding conversion technologies
Article in BioCycle magazine examines the history and future development of conversion technologies in California.
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We hope that these resources will help to increase awareness of the potential of conversion technologies as a viable alternative to traditional solid waste management. With conversion technologies, we can help to create a cleaner, greener Southern California for all residents. |
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For a hard copy of the Conversion Technology Evaluation Report, or if you have comments or questions regarding the Report or conversion technologies, please contact Coby Skye at (626) 458-5163, Monday - Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
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A record of letters sent regarding conversion technologies can be found on the Task Force's Correspondence page. |
 e-Newsletter
To sign up for notifications of our conversion technology newsletter, click here and check the box next to "Conversion Technology Newsletter" under the Newsletters section. You will then be sent an e-mail confirming whether you'd like to sign up for our newsletter. Once we receive your confirmation, an e-mail notification will be sent to you every time a new newsletter has been posted.
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| Conversion Technology Legislation |
Each month during the active legislative session, the Task Force tracks legislative proposals in Sacramento that impact solid waste management issues. Below are the most recent Bills related to conversion technology.
AB 1075 (Cook) This Bill is currently a two year bill and would redefine the term "solid waste conversion" as a technology that produces a net reduction in the discharges of air contaminants or emissions. It would define the terms gasification as "solid waste conversion" and transformation as "incineration".
AB 1150 (Lieu) This Bill is currently a two year bill and would revise the definition of "transformation" as incineration of solid waste, or the processing of solid waste through a non-combustion thermal, chemical, or biological process.
SB 842 (Scott) This Bill is currently a two year bill and would authorize a gasification facility's discharge of air contaminates or emissions to be regulated by the State Air Resources Board or Air Quality Management Districts rather than having an absolute zero threshold. The Task Force's letter of support is available on the Task Force website (PDF, 32 KB).
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