Hazardous waste: source reduction: certified green business program.

The existing Hazardous Waste Source Reduction and Management Review Act of 1989 requires the Department of Toxic Substances Control to establish a program for hazardous waste source reduction, including requiring specified generators of hazardous waste to maintain certain plans and reports with regard to hazardous waste reduction practices. The department is required to provide source reduction training and resources to various regional and local government assistance programs to identify and apply source reduction methods. This bill would require the department, as part of implementing this program, to develop a California Green Business Program that provides support and assistance to local government programs that provide for the voluntary certification of small businesses that adopt environmentally preferable business practices, including, but not limited to, increased energy efficiency, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, promotion of water conservation, and reduced waste generation. The department would be required to take specified actions with regard to implementing the California Green Business Program and would be authorized to provide support and assistance to a local government program to enable the program to meet certain requirements.