County supervisors Tuesday agreed to make a case that San Benito is too small and inefficient to handle a new organic waste program by next year.
Supervisors voted 5-0 in support of a resolution urging for an exemption here to the state’s new organic waste law affecting commercial businesses and the communities where they function.
Assembly Bill 1826 calls for mandatory organic waste recycling, but allows exemptions for the smallest 19 counties, including San Benito. The exemption would continue through 2020, when CalRecycle would have the option of extending or terminating the exemption.
The state is requiring the recycling of organic waste to reduce the amount of it in landfills so it cuts back on greenhouse-gas emission.
San Benito County must file a document explaining the purpose for the exemption with the state before July.
Supervisors initially heard a presentation in February at a retreat meeting from a specialist on the matter. The organic waste programs must be in effect by next spring.
County Administrative Officer Ray Espinosa said San Benito is ill equipped economically and from a facility standpoint. The county also would have to report regularly to the state.
“There’s a lot of work there that needs to go into this program, which we’re really not ready for,” Espinosa said.
Supervisor Anthony Botelho said the exemption also gives contractors and businesses time to adjust.
“This is really a benefit,” Botelho said of the exemption. “The cost effectiveness is not the same for a small county as it is for a large county that has that economy of scale.”
