Local Government Central

Disposal and Diversion Rate Statistics: 1989-2006

Alert: This page contains historical data from CIWMB's statewide goal measurement prior to 2007 that estimated a diversion percentage. For 2007 and subsequent years, CIWMB compares reported disposal tons to population to calculate per capita disposal expressed in pounds/person/day.

Note: green links are used (instead of the standard blue links) to indicate a link to a definition in the local government glossary.

Californians diverted more than 50 million tons of solid waste away from landfills and into recycling, composting and transformation programs in 2006, for an estimated statewide diversion rate of 54 percent. By 2006, diversion had increased ten-fold since the Integrated Waste Management Act was passed in 1989.

For more information on statewide waste generation, diversion, and disposal rates see the following:

• California Statewide Diversion Rates 1989-2006. Includes an explanation of the method used to determine the rate, as well as a discussion of factors impacting statewide solid waste generation, diversion and disposal: 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | Table that contains 1989-1998 diversion rates.
• Goal Measurement: 2007 and later. Provides information on the goal measurement system for 2007 and later.
• Countywide, Regionwide, and Statewide Jurisdiction Diversion Progress Report. Provides both summary and detailed information on biennial review status, diversion rates, and waste diversion program implementation for all California jurisdictions..
• Trends in California Waste Generation, Disposal and Diversion from 1989-2006. Available as a graph and in table format.
• Population, Employment, Inflation-Adjusted Taxable Sales and Waste Disposal from 1991-2006. A color graph tracking the yearly change, in percent. This information is also available in table format.
• California Diversion Rate Ranges, by jurisdiction population. This chart, and a linked bar graph, compares the diversion performance of jurisdictions, as grouped by population.
• California Diversion Rate Ranges, by Region. This chart, and a linked bar graph, compares the diversion performance of jurisdictions, as grouped by region.
• Disposal Rates. Tables showing estimated residential and estimated nonresidential disposal rates from 1990 through 2006.