State & Regional Agencies

Many times, the best resource for questions related to solid waste or recycling are at the government level. These resources are helpful if you are looking to:

• Understand how solid waste management works in your state
• Learn about state laws regarding solid waste
• Start a recycling center

California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle)

CalRecycle is the state’s leading authority on recycling, waste reduction, and product reuse. It oversees such programs as the Beverage Container Recycling Program, the Electronic Waste Recycling Act and the Used Motor Oil Certified Collection Center program.

This agency is responsible for grants and funding opportunities related to waste management, and facilitates payment for programs that incentivize recycling. CalRecycle took over the duties of the California Integrated Waste Management Board.

Website: http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 322-4027

California Materials Exchange (CalMAX)

CalMAX is a free service that connects businesses, organizations, manufacturers, schools, and individuals with the most effective online resources for exchanging materials. Maintained by CalRecycle, this directory promotes reuse opportunities to limit the number of products that enter the waste stream.

Website: http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/calmax
Phone: (916) 341-6199

California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)

DPR protects human health and the environment by regulating pesticide sales and use, and by fostering reduced-risk pest management. It provides tips on when to use which pesticides, and education on Integrated Pest Management as an alternative to using chemicals for pest control.

Website: http://www.cdpr.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 323-2514

California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC)

DTSC protects California’s people and environment from harmful effects of toxic substances through the restoration of contaminated resources, enforcement, regulation and pollution prevention.

It facilitates cleanup of hazardous waste, and also prevents the release of hazardous waste by ensuring those who generate, handle, transport, store and dispose of it do so properly. DTSC promotes pollution prevention measures through the Office of Pollution Prevention and Technology Development.

Website: http://www.dtsc.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 255-3618

California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)

OEHHA protects and enhances public health and the environment by scientific evaluation of risks posed by hazardous substances. It provides information such as safe eating guidelines for fish and the monitoring of chemicals in consumer products.

Website: http://www.oehha.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 324-7572

California Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR)

OSPR protects California’s natural resources by preventing, preparing for, and responding to spills of oil and other deleterious materials, and through restoring and enhancing affected resources. It offers a toll-free hot-line for reporting oil spills, as well as status updates for any recent spills.

Website: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/Ospr/
Phone: (916) 445-9338

California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA)

Cal/EPA develops, implements and enforces the state’s environmental protection laws that ensure clean air, clean water, clean soil, safe pesticides and waste recycling and reduction. It oversees many of the other environmental agencies in California, and is independent of the U.S. EPA.

Website: http://www.calepa.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 323-2514

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Region 9

Region 9 serves the environmental programs in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Pacific Islands, and Tribal Nations. It ensures that federal laws protecting the environment and human health are enforced fairly and effectively, as well as providing access to accurate information related to environmental and human health risks.

Website: http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region9.html
Phone: (415) 947-8000