CALRECYCLE COVID-19 RESOURCES & UPDATES

CalRecycle is committed to serving the public during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) health emergency. CalEPA and CalRecycle are still open for business. We continue to provide our essential services to ensure the safe and proper management of California’s nonhazardous solid waste. The health and safety of Californians is our top priority, and we will continue to serve the public by protecting human health and the environment.

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For up-to-date state and federal information on the COVID-19 emergency, please check the websites of the California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

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Below are resources that CalRecycle has gathered, but makes no endorsement of for accuracy or any specific purpose.  

 

This page will be updated regularly as new information about the impact COVID-19 has on the waste management and recycling industry is made available.

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CALRECYCLING GUIDANCE

• COVID-19 Guidance for Recycling Centers and Beverage Retailers Related to Executive Order N-54-20

• COVID-19 Recycling Related Guidance for Jurisdictions

• Emergency Waivers for Solid Waste Facilities

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Solid waste facilities may need to address changes in operations at facilities that are inconsistent with the permit when there is a declared emergency. California Governor Gavin Newsom in Executive Order N-25-20PDF download proclaimed a State of Emergency on March 12, 2020, as a result of the threat COVID-19. The threat of COVID-19 may have direct and indirect impacts on solid waste facility operations. Please refer to CalRecycle’s guidance regarding Emergency Waiver of Standards, as well as Additional Storage of Recycled Materials at Solid Waste Facilities for assistance in addressing issues that may arise with solid waste facilities during the State of Emergency.

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If you have any questions, please contact your CalRecycle Permitting and Assistance Point of Contact.

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Government Updates

• Governor Newsom Executive Order N-54-20: Related to Beverage Container In-Store Redemption, Recycling Centers, and Reusable BagsPDF download (4/23/20)

• Governor Newsom Executive Order N-33-20: State of Emergency PDF download (3/19/20)

• Cal/OSHA Guidance for the grocery industry on the use of reusable bags pdf download

• California Essential Critical Infrastructure WorkersPDF download

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration – COVID-19 

• State of California Coronavirus Website 

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Guidance for Industry & Local Government

• Resource Recovery Coalition of California COVID-19 Virus GuidancePDF download  

• Solid Waste Industry of North America (SWANA) Guidance  

• California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) – COVID-19 Webpage

• Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) Member Alert - Resources for Preventing the Spread of Coronavirus 

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – What Waste Collectors and Recyclers Need to Know about COVID-19

• Department of Health Services – Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce (Public Works Section)

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Expanded Emergency Declaration – FAQs (specific to haulers of household waste) and medical waste

• US Composting Council – COVID-19 Response Resources

• Institute for Local Self-Reliance: COVID-19 Resources for Composters & Food Scrap Collectors

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Medical Waste Handling

• National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) Healthcare Waste Institute – FAQs 21019 Novel CoronavirusPDF download 

• Stericycle - Regulated Medical Waste and Sharps Packaging GuidancePDF download  

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News

• Waste Management Service Alerts for California (updated)

• ISRI Requests National Essential Designation for U.S. Recycling Operations (3/18/20) 

• Waste Dive TRACKER– How coronavirus is disrupting US waste and recycling (updated daily) 

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Business Assistance and Other Resources

• Federal Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources:

  • The California Legislative Analyst’s Office: 

    • COVID-19 Federal Actions Affecting California

    • Broad-Based Cash Assistance in COVID-19 Recovery Actions

  • U.S. Small Business Administration Resource Guide

    • Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance (Economic injury loans)

    • Paycheck Protection Program (Loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll.)

    • Express Bridge Loans (Enables small businesses who currently have a business relationship with SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly.)

    • Small Business Debt Relief (Small Business Administration will pay principal, interest, and fees on certain current loans.)
       

• California Relief for Small Businesses:

  • Relief Extensions for Filings and Tax Returns (Interest-free deferral of sales/use tax up to $50,000 for businesses with less than $5 million in taxable sales.)

  • Governor Newsom Grants Additional Relief for Business Taxpayers: (a 90-day extension on all businesses filing a return for less than $1 million in taxes.)

  • California Small Business Loan Guarantee Program ($50 million in state funding, providing potential capital for individuals who do not qualify for federal funds.)

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FOR MORE INFORMATION OR UPDATES GO TO CALRECYCLE.CA.GOV