National Latino Congreso

Resolution 3.15 (Floor Submission)

For Consideration by the National Latino Congreso

Friday, September 8th, 2006

Author: Paul Alva, Carlos Ruiz, Civil & Environmental Engineers; Virginia Gonzalez-Jauregui, Policy Analyst; Gabrielle Weeks, Executive Director of the Prometheus Fund

Organization: Prometheus Fund

Email: Gabrielle@greens.org

Phone: 562-252-4196

Title: Conversion Technologies and Zero Waste

WHEREAS, The California Integrated Waste Management Board indicates that over 40 million tons of waste are land filled every year just in California, despite a 50% recycling rate; and

WHEREAS, landfill space is at a premium and disposal rates are estimated to increase; and

WHEREAS, the siting of landfills and solid waste disposal facilities is a major Environmental Justice issue, and eliminating the need for disposal reduces the impact on communities with nearby disposal facilities impacting their quality of life; and

WHEREAS, conversion technologies are processes capable of converting residual post-recycled solid waste and other organic feedstocks into useful products, alternative fuels, and clean, renewable energy, and offer strategic energy, economic, social and environmental benefits; and

WHEREAS, biofuels derived from solid waste and excess biomass via conversion technologies and can be a clean, renewable fuel source that reduces our dependency on fossil fuels; and

WHEREAS, the use of conversion technologies can contribute solutions to California’s critical waste disposal and environmental problems, and result in substantial environmental benefits for California, which include reducing the amount of waste disposal in landfills, production of renewable energy, and reduction of air emissions including greenhouse gas emissions; and

WHEREAS, conversion technologies can create "green collar" jobs with good wages and benefits through increased private investment;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE 2006 NATIONAL LATINO CONGRESO:

1. Support the enhancement and expansion of waste reduction and recycling programs nationwide, and the adoption of zero waste goals to eliminate the concept of waste;

2. Conserve natural resources and reduce the amount of hazardous materials in the waste stream by supporting and promoting preferable purchasing programs, product redesign, advanced disposal fees and other manufacturer responsibility measures as well as enhanced collection and recycling infrastructure;

3. Urge state and local communities throughout the country to invest in landfill alternatives, such as conversion technologies, which create "green collar" jobs and make use of abundant biomass and organic waste resources in an environmentally beneficial manner;

4. Lobby lawmakers at the State and Federal level to provide clear permitting pathways for the development of conversion technologies, and properly define and incentivize the development of these technologies based on sound science ad their life-cycle environmental impacts and benefits in relation to other solid waste management options.