Waste Management Plan

A Waste Management Plan identifies the steps that will be taken to divert construction and demolition debris from landfills through various recycling efforts and construction practices. It is to be submitted and approved prior to building permit issuance.

Landfills are rapidly filling up and few new landfills are being developed. The California Waste Management Act 1989 required that all cities in California divert 50% of waste from landfills by the year 2000. In response to this Act, the City of Bellflower adopted an ordinance requiring the implementation of a Waste Management Plan.

Any demolition project of any valuation and any construction or renovation project with a valuation of $50,000 or greater requires a Waste Management Plan. These projects are referred to as “covered projects”.

Applicants for building and demolition permits involving any covered projects are required to complete and submit a Waste Management Plan.

There is no fee for the Plan. However, to ensure compliance, applicants for these projects whose estimated cost is $150,000 or greater must provide a refundable security deposit, in the amount of 3% of the value of the project, prior to the issuance of the building permit.

Once the project has been completed the applicant has 30 days to submit written documentation of plan compliance to the Public Works Department. If 100% of inert debris and at least 50% of the remaining construction and demolition materials have been diverted from the landfills through recycling or other efforts, a refund check will be mailed to the applicant within 30 days.

First the Building Inspector will provide correction notices for non-compliance during the project. Next, the building permit final may be withheld pending compliance. At the end of the project, if the City determines that the applicant has made a good faith effort to comply with the plan requirements a prorated portion of the deposit shall be refunded. If the City determines that the applicant has not made a good faith effort to comply with the plan requirements the entire deposit shall be forfeited to the City. Should an applicant or contractor blatantly violate the ordinance, he or she may be charged with a misdemeanor.

As materials are diverted to facilities other than landfills, obtain receipts specifying the volume or weight of the loads. Record this diversion on your Plan document and provide it to the City at the time you apply for the refund of your deposit

A list of facilities is included as an attachment to the Waste Management Plan application. You can also contact CR&R, the City’s franchised hauler, at (877) 944-4716 to request bins for C&D material pick-up. If additional referrals are needed, you may contact the Public Works Department at (562) 804- 1424 ext. 2233.