Guidance and Resources for Local Government

Local Government Designations to Approved Collectors

The local governments may designate a CalRecycle approved collector (defined in 14 CCR section 18660.5) to take the covered electronic waste (CEW) in their region. The option to issue a designation or not is solely within the discretion of the local government.

A Designation is an arrangement between a local government with an approved collector in the CEW Recycling Program. The designation allows the approved collector to provide CEW collection services on behalf of the local government as a designated approved collector (see 14 CCR section 18660.47(a)(1)).

The local government must provide proof of the designation to CalRecycle detailing the scope of each collector’s waste management.
A local government may have more than one approved collector designated.

  • CalRecycle must receive the Proof of Designation at least 30 calendar days before collection begins.
  • Local government will:
    • Be notified of any deficiencies within 10 days of receiving Proof of Designation and
    • Must correct the errors within 20 calendar days after they are notified.

CalRecycle will contact local governments and their designated approved collector in writing to confirm that the collecting activities can begin.

A local government is defined as a California “city, county, city and county, a joint powers authority, or public service district responsible for household hazardous waste or residential waste management planning or services” (14 CCR section 18660.47(a)(2)).  

For specific questions relating to designations, contact EWasteDesignations@calrecycle.ca.gov.

Proof of Designation Form

A Proof of Designation (POD) (Form 184) is a document issued by a local government to a designated approved collector. CalRecycle provides the form for use by a local government when establishing a designation. This document details the scope of services that a designated approved collector may conduct on behalf of the local government (see 14 CCR section 18660.49(b)).

  • The appropriate local government representative is an individual authorized to execute agreements or contracts related to waste management on behalf of the local government.
    Note: Representatives are not automatically authorized to sign the POD because they sign contracts or grants with CalRecycle.
  • The appropriate designated approved collector representative is an individual that is an authorized signatory listed in the collector’s application for approval in the CEW recovery and recycling program.
  • The local government must provide a complete POD to CalRecycle who must receive it at least 30 days before any CEW collection activities are conducted by the designated approved collector.
    Note: There are no exceptions for natural disasters at this time.
  • The POD requires a start and end date. However, CalRecycle does not mandate how long the designation must remain in effect.
    • The duration may align with the approved collector’s renewal cycle, which occurs every two years, or, if a local government has a franchise agreement with the approved collector, it may match the term of that agreement.

Tribal lands are not considered local governments and therefore cannot issue designations. However, local governments may define a designation scope that includes the recovery of CEW by people on Tribal lands.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Reporting

  • HHW Collection Annual Reporting Form 303 Information: Annual HHW program and survey data for the safe collection, recycling, treatment, and disposal of hazardous wastes generated primarily by households and collected by statewide local programs.
  • A designated approved collector has to provide the local government with a report of all CEW collection activities conducted under the designation at least annually, on or before September 1, covering the preceding reporting period, so that the information can be incorporated into the Form 303 report.
    • The local government can require more frequent reporting, establish a format for the report, or require CEW collection activity reports to be sent to additional parties.
    • CalRecycle may request copies of any reports that the designated approved collector should have provided to the local government (see 14 CCR section 18660.48(d)).

Termination of Designation

CalRecycle may terminate a designation before its end-use if any applicable laws or regulations are violated (see 14 CCR 18660.50(b)).

  • If CalRecycle terminates a designation, it will immediately notify the designated approved collector and the local government, in writing, of the termination’s effective date.

A local government may terminate a designation at its discretion, including prior to the end date (see 14 CCR 18660.50(a)).

  • If a local government terminates a designation, it must immediately notify the designated approved collector and CalRecycle, in writing, of the termination’s effective date.
  • CalRecycle will confirm the termination via email.

A designation terminated due to a denial, suspension, or revocation of a collector’s approval status shall be re-established if the collector prevails in an appeal filed pursuant to Section 18660.19 (see 14 CCR 18660.50(c)(2)).

This page is for informational purposes only; it does not list all requirements in statute and regulations.

Related Links

For more information contact: Covered Electronic Waste Recycling Program, CEDManufacturers@calrecycle.ca.gov