CHAPTER 2. Definitions [40100. - 40201.]

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC 2.
in effect

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40105. Section 40105.

“Authorized recycling agent” means a person that a local governing body or private commercial entity authorizes or contracts with to collect its recyclable waste material. An authorized recycling agency may be a municipal collection service, private refuse hauler, private recycling enterprise, or private nonprofit corporation or association.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40106. Section 40106.

(a) “Biomass conversion” means the production of heat, fuels, or electricity by the controlled combustion of, or the use of other noncombustion thermal conversion technologies on, the following materials, when separated from other solid waste: (1) Agricultural crop residues. (2) Bark, lawn, yard, and garden clippings. (3) Leaves, silvicultural residue, and tree and brush pruning. (4) Wood, wood chips, and wood waste. (5) Nonrecyclable pulp or nonrecyclable paper materials. (b) “Biomass conversion” does not include the controlled combustion of recyclable pulp or recyclable paper materials, or materials that contain sewage sludge, industrial sludge, medical waste, hazardous waste, or either high-level or low-level radioactive waste. (c) For purposes of this section, “nonrecyclable pulp or nonrecyclable paper materials” means either of the following, as determined by the department: (1) Paper products or fibrous materials that cannot be technically, feasibly, or legally recycled because of the manner in which the product or material has been manufactured, treated, coated, or constructed. (2) Paper products or fibrous materials that have become soiled or contaminated and as a result cannot be technically, feasibly, or legally recycled.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40115.5. Section 40115.5.

“Closed disposal site” means a disposal site that ceases to accept solid waste and is closed in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations, and local ordinances in effect at the time of the closure.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40116. Section 40116.

“Compost” means the product resulting from the controlled biological decomposition of organic wastes that are source separated from the municipal solid waste stream, or which are separated at a centralized facility. “Compost” includes vegetable, yard, and wood wastes which are not hazardous waste.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40117. Section 40117.

“Gasification” means a technology that uses a noncombustion thermal process to convert solid waste to a clean burning fuel for the purpose of generating electricity, and that, at minimum, meets all of the following criteria: (a) The technology does not use air or oxygen in the conversion process, except ambient air to maintain temperature control. (b) The technology produces no discharges of air contaminants or emissions, including greenhouse gases, as defined in subdivision (g) of Section 38505 of the Health and Safety Code. (c) The technology produces no discharges to surface or groundwaters of the state. (d) The technology produces no hazardous waste. (e) To the maximum extent feasible, the technology removes all recyclable materials and marketable green waste compostable materials from the solid waste stream prior to the conversion process and the owner or operator of the facility certifies that those materials will be recycled or composted. (f) The facility where the technology is used is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. (g) The facility certifies to the board that any local agency sending solid waste to the facility is in compliance with this division and has reduced, recycled, or composted solid waste to the maximum extent feasible, and the board makes a finding that the local agency has diverted at least 30 percent of all solid waste through source reduction, recycling, and composting.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40120. Section 40120.

“Designated recycling collection location” means the place where an authorized recycling agent has contracted with either the local governing body or a private entity to pick up recyclable material segregated from other waste material. “Designated recycling collection location” includes, but is not limited to, the curbside of a residential neighborhood or the service alley of a commercial enterprise.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40122. Section 40122.

“Disposal site” or “site” means the place, location, tract of land, area, or premises in use, intended to be used, or which has been used, for the disposal of solid wastes.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40124. Section 40124.

“Diversion” means activities which reduce or eliminate the amount of solid waste from solid waste disposal for purposes of this division, including Article 1 (commencing with Section 41780) of Chapter 6.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40127. Section 40127.

“Diversion program” means a program in the source reduction and recycling element of a jurisdiction’s integrated waste management plan, specified in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 41000) of, or Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 41300) of, Part 2 and that has the purpose of diverting solid waste from landfill disposal or transformation through source reduction, recycling, and composting activities. “Diversion program” additionally includes any amendments, revisions, or updates to the element, and any programs set forth in a time extension, alternative requirement, or compliance order approved by the board pursuant to Part 2 (commencing with Section 40900).

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40130. Section 40130.

“Enforcement agency” means the local agency designated pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 43200) of Chapter 2 of Part 4 for the purpose of carrying out this division, or the board if no designation of a local agency has been approved by the board.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40131.2. Section 40131.2.

(a) “Engineered municipal solid waste conversion” or “EMSW conversion” means the conversion of solid waste through a process that meets all of the following requirements: (1) The waste to be converted is beneficial and effective in that it replaces or supplements the use of fossil fuels. (2) The waste to be converted, the resulting ash, and any other products of conversion do not meet the criteria or guidelines for the identification of a hazardous waste adopted by the Department of Toxic Substances Control pursuant to Section 25141 of the Health and Safety Code. (3) The conversion is efficient and maximizes the net calorific value and burn rate of the waste. (4) The waste to be converted contains less than 25 percent moisture and less than 25 percent noncombustible waste. (5) The waste received at the facility for conversion is handled in compliance with the requirements for the handling of solid waste imposed pursuant to this division, and no more than a seven-day supply of that waste, based on the throughput capacity of the operation or facility, is stored at the facility at any one time. (6) No more than 500 tons per day of waste is converted at the facility where the operation takes place. (7) The waste has an energy content equal to, or greater than, 5,000 BTU per pound. (8) The waste to be converted is mechanically processed at a transfer or processing station to reduce the fraction of chlorinated plastics and materials. (b) “Engineered municipal solid waste conversion facility” or “EMSW facility” means a facility where municipal solid waste conversion that meets the requirements of subdivision (a) takes place. (c) Notwithstanding Section 40201, a transformation facility where solid waste conversion takes place that meets all of the requirements of subdivision (a) may elect to be considered an EMSW facility for purposes of this division and Division 31 (commencing with Section 50000), except that if a portion of a transformation facility’s operations does not meet the requirements of subdivision (a), the facility shall be considered to be a transformation facility.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40135. Section 40135.

“Fund” means the Integrated Waste Management Fund, which is hereby created in the State Treasury. Any reference in this division or any other provision of law to the Solid Waste Management Fund shall mean the Integrated Waste Management Fund.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40140. Section 40140.

“Hazard” includes any condition, practice, or procedure which is or may be dangerous, harmful, or perilous to employees, property, neighbors, or the general public.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40141. Section 40141.

(a) “Hazardous waste” means a waste, defined as a “hazardous waste” in accordance with Section 25117 of the Health and Safety Code, or a combination of wastes, which because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics may do either of the following: (1) Cause, or significantly contribute to, an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible, or incapacitating reversible, illness. (2) Pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, or disposed of, or otherwise managed. (b) Unless expressly provided otherwise, “hazardous waste” includes extremely hazardous waste and acutely hazardous waste.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40148. Section 40148.

“Large state facility” means those campuses of the California State University and the California Community Colleges, prisons within the Department of Corrections, facilities of the State Department of Transportation, and facilities of other state agencies, that the board determines, are primary campuses, prisons, or facilities.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40150. Section 40150.

“Local governing body” means the legislative body of the city, county, or special district which has authority to provide solid waste handling services.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40150.1. Section 40150.1.

“Multicounty regional agency” means a regional agency, as defined in Section 40181, that includes all of the jurisdictions that are located in at least two or more rural counties.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40150.2. Section 40150.2.

“Minor violation” means the failure of a person to comply with a requirement or condition of an applicable law, regulation, permit, information request, order, variance, or other requirement, whether procedural or substantive, that an enforcement agency or the board is authorized to implement or enforce pursuant to Part 5 (commencing with Section 45000) and that does not otherwise include any of the following: (a) A violation that results in injury to persons or property or that presents a significant threat to human health or the environment. (b) A knowing, willful, or intentional violation. (c) A violation that is a chronic violation or that is committed by a recalcitrant violator. In determining whether a violation is chronic or a violator is recalcitrant, the enforcement agency or board, whichever issues the notice to comply, shall consider whether there is evidence indicating that the violator has engaged in a pattern of neglect or disregard with respect to applicable regulatory requirements. (d) A violation that results in an emergency response from a public safety agency. (e) A violation that enables the violator to benefit economically from the noncompliance, either by reduced costs or competitive advantage.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40151. Section 40151.

“Nondisposal facility” means any solid waste facility required to obtain a permit pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 44001) of Chapter 3 of Part 4, except a disposal facility or a transformation facility.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40162. Section 40162.

“Owner” means a person who holds fee title to, or a leasehold or other possessory interest in, real property that is presently in use as a solid waste facility or is a disposal site.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40170. Section 40170.

“Person” includes an individual, firm, limited liability company, association, partnership, political subdivision, government agency, municipality, industry, public or private corporation, or any other entity whatsoever.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40171. Section 40171.

“Pollution” means the condition caused by the presence in or on a body of water, soil, or air of any solid waste or substance derived therefrom in such quantity, of such nature and duration, or under such condition that the quality, appearance, or usefulness of the water, soil, land, or air is significantly degraded or adversely altered.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40180. Section 40180.

“Recycle” or “recycling” means the process of collecting, sorting, cleansing, treating, and reconstituting materials that would otherwise become solid waste, and returning them to the economic mainstream in the form of raw material for new, reused, or reconstituted products which meet the quality standards necessary to be used in the marketplace. “Recycling” does not include transformation, as defined in Section 40201 or EMSW conversion.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40181. Section 40181.

“Regional agency” means an agency formed pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 6500) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code and Article 3 (commencing with Section 40970) of Chapter 1 of Part 2.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40183. Section 40183.

(a) “Rural city” or “rural regional agency” means a city or regional agency that is located within a rural county as defined in Section 40184. (b) (1) Unless the board takes action pursuant to paragraph (2), this section does not affect any reduction granted to a rural city by the board pursuant to Section 41787 prior to January 1, 2008. (2) The board may review and take action regarding any reduction granted to a rural city by the board in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 41787.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40184. Section 40184.

(a) “Rural county” means a county or multicounty regional agency that annually disposes of no more that 200,000 tons of solid waste. (b) (1) Unless the board takes action pursuant to paragraph (2), this section does not affect any reduction granted to a rural county by the board pursuant to Section 41787 prior to January 1, 2008. (2) The board may review and take action regarding any reduction granted to a rural county in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 41787.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40190. Section 40190.

“Segregated from other waste material” means any of the following: (a) The placement of recyclable materials in separate containers. (b) The binding of recyclable material separately from the other waste material. (c) The physical separation of recyclable material from other waste material.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40191. Section 40191.

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), “solid waste” means all putrescible and nonputrescible solid, semisolid, and liquid wastes, including garbage, trash, refuse, paper, rubbish, ashes, industrial wastes, demolition and construction wastes, abandoned vehicles and parts thereof, discarded home and industrial appliances, dewatered, treated, or chemically fixed sewage sludge which is not hazardous waste, manure, vegetable or animal solid and semisolid wastes, and other discarded solid and semisolid wastes. (b) “Solid waste” does not include any of the following wastes: (1) Hazardous waste, as defined in Section 40141. (2) Radioactive waste regulated pursuant to the Radiation Control Law (Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 114960) of Part 9 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code). (3) Medical waste regulated pursuant to the Medical Waste Management Act (Part 14 (commencing with Section 117600) of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code). Untreated medical waste shall not be disposed of in a solid waste landfill, as defined in Section 40195.1. Medical waste that has been treated and deemed to be solid waste shall be regulated pursuant to this division.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40192. Section 40192.

(a) Except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), “solid waste disposal,” “disposal,” or “dispose” means the final deposition of solid wastes onto land, into the atmosphere, or into the waters of the state. (b) For purposes of Part 2 (commencing with Section 40900), “solid waste disposal,” “dispose,” or “disposal” means the management of solid waste through landfill disposal, transformation, or EMSW conversion, at a permitted solid waste facility, unless the term is expressly defined otherwise. (c) For purposes of Chapter 16 (commencing with Section 42800) and Chapter 19 (commencing with Section 42950) of Part 3, Part 4 (commencing with Section 43000), Part 5 (commencing with Section 45000), Part 6 (commencing with Section 45030), and Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 47901) of Part 7, “solid waste disposal,” “dispose,” or “disposal” means the final deposition of solid wastes onto land.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40193. Section 40193.

“Solid waste enterprise” means any individual, partnership, joint venture, unincorporated private organization, or private corporation, which is regularly engaged in the business of providing solid waste handling services.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40194. Section 40194.

“Solid waste facility” includes a solid waste transfer or processing station, a composting facility, a gasification facility, a transformation facility, an EMSW conversion facility, and a disposal facility. For purposes of Part 5 (commencing with Section 45000), “solid waste facility” additionally includes a solid waste operation that may be carried out pursuant to an enforcement agency notification, as provided in regulations adopted by the department.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40195.1. Section 40195.1.

(a) “Solid waste landfill” means a disposal facility that accepts solid waste for land disposal, but does not include a facility which receives only wastes generated by the facility owner or operator in the extraction, beneficiation, or processing of ores and minerals, or a cemetery which disposes onsite only the grass clippings, floral wastes, or soil resulting from activities on the grounds of that cemetery. (b) For the purposes of Article 3 (commencing with Section 43500) and Article 4 (commencing with Section 43600) of Chapter 2 of Part 4, “solid waste landfill” does not include a facility which receives only nonhazardous wood waste derived from timber production or wood product manufacturing. For the purposes of the fee imposed by Section 48000, facilities which receive only nonhazardous wood waste derived from timber production or wood product manufacturing shall, notwithstanding Section 48000, pay a quarterly fee to the state board on all solid waste disposed at each disposal site, which does not exceed the amount of the fee due and payable to the state board by those facilities during the 1992 calendar year.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40196. Section 40196.

“Source reduction” means any action which causes a net reduction in the generation of solid waste. “Source reduction” includes, but is not limited to, reducing the use of nonrecyclable materials, replacing disposable materials and products with reusable materials and products, reducing packaging, reducing the amount of yard wastes generated, establishing garbage rate structures with incentives to reduce the amount of wastes that generators produce, and increasing the efficiency of the use of paper, cardboard, glass, metal, plastic, and other materials. “Source reduction” does not include steps taken after the material becomes solid waste or actions which would impact air or water resources in lieu of land, including, but not limited to, transformation.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40196.3. Section 40196.3.

“State agency” means every state office, department, division, board, commission, or other agency of the state, including the California Community Colleges and the California State University. The Regents of the University of California are encouraged to implement this division.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40200. Section 40200.

(a) “Transfer or processing station” or “station” includes those facilities utilized to receive solid wastes, temporarily store, separate, convert, or otherwise process the materials in the solid wastes, or to transfer the solid wastes directly from smaller to larger vehicles for transport, and those facilities utilized for transformation. (b) “Transfer or processing station” or “station” does not include any of the following: (1) A facility, whose principal function is to receive, store, separate, convert, or otherwise process in accordance with state minimum standards, manure. (2) A facility, whose principal function is to receive, store, convert, or otherwise process wastes that have already been separated for reuse and are not intended for disposal. (3) The operations premises of a duly licensed solid waste handling operator who receives, stores, transfers, or otherwise processes wastes as an activity incidental to the conduct of a refuse collection and disposal business in accordance with regulations adopted pursuant to Section 43309. (4) An EMSW conversion facility.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 40201. Section 40201.

“Transformation” means incineration, pyrolysis, distillation, or biological conversion other than composting. “Transformation” does not include composting, gasification, EMSW conversion, or biomass conversion.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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