Section 42000.

The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:

(a) This division requires cities and counties to divert 25 percent of all solid waste from landfills and transformation facilities by 1995 and 50 percent by 2000. As of 1990, the overall diversion rate in the state was 12 percent.

(b) California's source reduction, recycling, and composting efforts need to increase greatly if local jurisdictions are to meet the 25-percent and the 50-percent diversion requirements.

(c) Market development is the key to increased, cost-effective recycling. Market development includes activities that strengthen demand by manufacturers and end-use consumers for recyclable materials collected by municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and private entities.

(d) Developing markets for recyclable materials creates opportunities that will reindustrialize California. The board estimates that the development of markets for recyclable materials may create over 20,000 jobs in California's manufacturing sector, an additional 25,000 jobs in the sorting and processing fields, and an unestimated number of jobs in other fields that may develop through full implementation of this division.

(e) The board is authorized to conduct individual market development activities, but is not presently required to implement a comprehensive plan that addresses the full range of market development needs.

(Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 672, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 1998.)