SMW Becomes General Counsel to RecycleSmart
In 2019, the firm is selected to serve as the General Counsel to the Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority (RecycleSmart), administering franchise agreements for recycling, compost, and solid waste diversion and disposal for five cities and a portion of the County.
Household Hazardous Waste Fee Upheld
The firm advises the Alameda County Waste Management Authority in its 2013 adoption of a fee to recover the costs of administering the Countywide Household Hazardous Waste program. The firm successfully defends the fee in subsequent litigation. (Crawley v. Alameda Cty. Waste Mgmt. Auth., 243 Cal. App. 4th 396, 196 Cal. Rptr. 3d 365 (2015).)
Cutting Edge Recycling and Composting Requirements
Years before state law requirements, the firm assists the Alameda County Waste Management Authority (WMA) in 2009 to pass an ordinance encouraging composting by prohibiting the disposal of plant debris in containers with garbage. In 2012, the firm assists the WMA in drafting and implementing an ordinance requiring recycling and composting at commercial multi-family residential […]
SMW Works With StopWaste.Org to Draft One of First Countywide Plastic Bag Bans
In 2012, the firm assists the Alameda County Waste Management Authority in drafting, preparing the EIR for, and implementing a countywide ban on single-use plastic bags in grocery stores. The ban is later expanded to include all retail establishments as well.
SMW Sues to Force County to Implement Voter Initiative
The firm prevails in a lawsuit forcing Solano County to comply with Measure E, an initiative that prohibits the importation of solid waste into the County’s landfills. (Sierra Club v. Solano County (2011).)
SMW Drafts Ground-Breaking Ordinances Diverting Construction Debris from Landfill
In 1999, the firm drafts one of the country’s first model ordinances to divert construction and demolition debris from landfills. It later assists the Alameda County Waste Management Authority in drafting one of the first model green building ordinances in the state.
Purchase of Property Creates Reserve Capacity for Waste Disposal
In 1992 the firm helps the Alameda County Waste Management Authority acquire land for reserve waste disposal capacity, composting, renewable energy generation, and carbon farming.
SMW Becomes General Counsel to the Alameda County Waste Management Authority
In 1982 the firm is retained as General Counsel to the Alameda County Waste Management Authority, an agency devoted to sustainability and waste reduction.