Article 3. Compost And Co-compost Products of California Public Contract Code >> Division 2. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 3.

The Legislature hereby finds and declares that it is the policy of the state to encourage the use of marketable end products which are produced as a result of superior waste management by counties, cities, and local agencies. The Legislature further finds and declares that it is in the public interest to provide special consideration for the state purchase of co-compost and compost products because these products substantially reduce the need for solid waste disposal facilities, such as landfills, and will assist the state in providing new alternatives for the alarming decrease in available solid waste disposal facilities, such as landfills.

(a) All state departments and agencies, including, but not limited to, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Water Resources, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and the Department of Parks and Recreation, shall give purchase preference to compost and cocompost products when they can be substituted for, and cost no more than, the cost of regular fertilizer or soil amendment products, or both, if the cocompost products meet all applicable state standards and regulations, as determined by appropriate testing. The product preference shall include, but not be limited to, the construction of noise attenuation barriers and safety walls, highway planting projects, and recultivation and erosion control programs.

It is the intent of the Legislature, in enacting this article, that the revenues derived from the state purchase of co-compost products will be used by counties, cities, and local agencies to offset the costs of construction, operation, and maintenance of co-compost waste disposal facilities.