Released By: Californians Against Waste

SACRAMENTO – Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) and Assembly Member Phil Ting (D- San Francisco) were honored by the environmental organization Californians Against Waste (CAW) this week for their leadership and support for recycling legislation.

Each year CAW recognizes members of the Legislature for their efforts to advance waste reduction and recycling policy in California at its annual “Birthday Bash” reception.

Assembly Member Phil Ting was honored for his leadership tackling needed improvements to the state’s beverage container recycling program, and for his ongoing efforts to support funding for recycling and composting infrastructure as chair of the Assembly Budget Committee.

“Assembly Member Ting has shown an unwavering dedication to recycling and composting during his tenure in the Assembly,” said Nick Lapis, Director of Advocacy at Californians Against Waste. “We especially commend Assembly Member Ting’s tireless efforts to protect convenient recycling opportunities for consumers under the state’s Bottle Bill program and his support for cutting greenhouse gas emissions through increased investments in recycling and composting infrastructure.”

Senator Ben Allen was recognized for his work on SB 705 to phase out expanded polystyrene takeout containers and his efforts to reduce motor oil waste in SB 778, which would have required oil change shops to provide accurate information to consumers about the frequency with which they actually require oil changes.

“In less than two years, Senator Ben Allen has emerged as one the California legislature’s undisputed environmental champions”, said Mark Murray, Executive Director of Californians Against Waste. “Beyond his 100% environmental voting record, Senator Allen has not been afraid to take on tough challenge and moneyed special interests. This year Senator Allen led the charge in an effort to phase-out polluting polystyrene fast food packaging. And while his SB 705 fell just short of passage on the Senate Floor, we are committed to working with Senator Allen to finish the job and help California enact the nation’s first statewide expanded polystyrene packaging ban.”

Founded in 1977, CAW is a non-profit environmental research and advocacy organization that identifies, develops, promotes and monitors policy solutions to pollution and conservation issues that pose threats to public health and the environment. CAW has pioneered and advocated for the implementation of many of the waste reduction and recycling policies and programs that have made California a leader in the nation.

Senator Allen and Assembly Member Ting were recognized at CAW’s 40th Birthday Celebration on Tuesday, September 5th, at the Citizen Hotel in Sacramento.
 

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