San Francisco – Today, Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) highlighted the disturbing presence of professional recycling poaching rings in neighborhoods with curbside recycling services and called on the State Senate to pass her AB 1778, which cleared the Assembly floor by a vote 45-24 on Thursday. 

In San Francisco and cities across the state, thieves rummage for bottles and cans in recycling bins late at night.  These poachers, operating as organized fleets, wake residents, throw unwanted materials on the ground, and trespass on private property.  Their theft also increases garbage rates and increases the risk of identity theft.

“Families should not be awakened in the middle of the night because someone is rummaging through their recycling,” said Assemblywoman Ma. “AB 1778 provides law enforcement with valuable record keeping information to investigate these crime rings.  Tackling recycling theft will also help keep garbage rates low.”

Assembly Bill 1778, narrowly cleared the Assembly Floor with bipartisan support on Thursday.  The bill requires recyclers to obtain identifying information of individuals who bring in large quantities ($50 or more) of CRV recyclables and newspapers. The bill will also require that payments of $50 or more be made by check.

Although AB 1778 was opposed by certain recycling companies that fought recordkeeping requirements, representatives from local recycler Norcal joined Assemblywoman Ma to support the bill.  During the discussion on the floor, there was some confusion about the quantity of materials that would have to be recycled.  The $50 threshold is equal to 34 pounds of aluminum—the equivalent of 1,000 cans.

“Make no mistake.  Ordinary Californians will be able to continue recycling, and San Francisco leads the way,” concluded Assemblywoman Ma.  “There’s simply no excuse for someone to bring in thousands of cans and no identification, and walk out with cash.”

AB 1778 is currently in the Senate where it will be heard in committee in June.  If passed by the Senate and signed by the Governor, the law will go into effect on January, 1 2009.