Slo County Iwma

What Slo County Iwma does

The San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority (IWMA) is a public Joint Powers Authority (JPA) formed in 1994 by San Luis Obispo County and 20 member jurisdictions (7 cities, 11 community service districts, Cayucos Sanitary District, and unincorporated areas) in response to California AB 939. The agency administers coordinated solid waste, recycling, household hazardous waste, and organics management programs serving more than 282,000 residents across 44 program lines. Core service offerings include 6 Household Hazardous Waste facilities, an interactive ReCollect-powered Recycling Guide, SB 1383 organics recycling with free food scrap pail distribution, mandatory commercial recycling under AB 341 and organics recycling under AB 1826, e-waste and mattress disposal, a Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) program for businesses, edible food recovery with partners such as SLO Food Bank and Loaves and Fishes, a Construction & Demolition recycling compliance program under CALGreen, and ordinance enforcement covering polystyrene (No. 2019-1), sharps disposal, prescription medicine take-back, and single-use utensil compliance under AB 1276.

Revenue mechanics derive from member-agency dues, landfill tipping-fee surcharges, solid waste management fees set by resolution, CalRecycle grants, and ancillary fee-for-service streams including the $10-per-ton compost rebate program (20–3,000 ton annual range) and unit-priced mattress disposal ($13 at Paso Robles Landfill; free at Cold Canyon and Chicago Grade). Free residential HHW drop-off up to 15 gallons/125 pounds per visit anchors citizen-facing access, while business services run on scheduled VSQG appointments with EPA ID pre-approval.

Underlying infrastructure is operational rather than technological: the IWMA coordinates but does not own processing facilities, relying on Kompogas anaerobic digestion (the first of its kind in the US, located in San Luis Obispo) for organics processing alongside windrow and aerated static pile composting. Distribution runs through franchise haulers (Mission Country Disposal, Morro Bay Garbage, San Luis Garbage, San Miguel Garbage, Waste Management) and a 100+ retailer take-back network for batteries, CFLs, fluorescent tubes, mercury thermostats, paints, sharps, and medications. Leadership consists of Executive Director Coby Skye, Deputy Director Lucy Stanus, and a small multi-role staff covering program management, board clerking, and administrative functions.

Name

Slo County Iwma

Legal name

San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority

Website

https://iwma.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The SLO County IWMA is a public Joint Powers Authority formed in 1994 that administers integrated solid waste, recycling, hazardous waste, and organics management programs across 20 member jurisdictions serving over 282,000 residents of San Luis Obispo County, California. It is funded through member-agency dues, tipping-fee surcharges, and grants rather than market revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Solid Waste and Recycling Services

NAICS

Hazardous Waste Collection (562112), Solid Waste Collection (562111), Waste Collection (56211), Remediation and Other Waste Management Services (5629)

SIC

Sanitary Services (4950), Refuse Systems (4953), Hazardous Waste Management (4955)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPALAFAL

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection & Program Operations

Business & Public Services/Waste Management & Remediation Services/Hazardous Waste Management (Transport, Treatment, Storage, Disposal)

Keywords

• Municipal solid waste
• Household hazardous waste
• Organics recycling programs
• Construction demolition recycling
• Joint powers authority

Headquarters

HQ city

San Luis Obispo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Member Agency Dues and Fees: Joint Powers Authority funded by member jurisdictions (San Luis Obispo County and 20 cities/CSDs) through dues, tipping fee surcharges, and waste management fees established by resolution
2. Solid Waste Management Fees: Fees collected from member jurisdictions; Resolution 2025-06-01 approved temporary reduction of solid waste management fees
3. Grants and Funding: CalRecycle funding opportunities; IWMA participates in grant programs including SB 1383 implementation grants
4. Compost Rebate Program: $10 per ton rebate offered to purchasers of compost from recovered organic waste to meet SB 1383 procurement requirements

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The SLO County IWMA (Integrated Waste Management Authority) is a Joint Powers Authority formed in 1994 that coordinates and delivers solid waste and recycling programs across 20 jurisdictions in San Luis Obispo County, serving approximately 282,000 residents. It operates a portfolio of compliance-driven programs including household hazardous waste collection, organics and commercial recycling under California AB 341/AB 1826/SB 1383, edible food recovery, school education, compost rebates, C&D recycling, e-waste, mattress and used motor oil recycling, retail take-back, and food scrap pail distribution.

Product overview

The San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority (IWMA) is a Joint Powers Authority providing coordinated waste management and recycling programs across 20 jurisdictions serving over 282,000 residents. The organization operates as a program portfolio rather than a single product, offering core services including Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facilities, SB 1383 Organics Recycling with Free Food Scrap Pail distribution, mandatory Commercial Recycling (AB 341) and Commercial Organics Recycling (AB 1826), E-Waste and Mattress Disposal programs, the Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) Program for businesses, and Edible Food Recovery. Supplementary programs include the School Education Program, Compost Rebate Program, Construction & Demolition Recycling compliance, Polystyrene Ordinance enforcement, and Single-Use Takeout Utensils requirements. Public engagement tools include an interactive Recycling Guide powered by ReCollect, The Sort Report quarterly newsletter, and The Sorting Game educational tool.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Household Hazardous Waste Facilities
• SB 1383 Organics Recycling Program
• Commercial Recycling Program (AB 341)
• Commercial Organics Recycling Program (AB 1826)
• Edible Food Recovery Program
• School Education Program
• Compost Rebate Program
• Construction and Demolition Recycling Program
• E-Waste Recycling Program
• Mattress Disposal Program
• Used Motor Oil Recycling Program
• Retail Take-Back Program
• Free Food Scrap Pail Distribution

Quantifiable outcome

• Powers over 600 homes through biogas from anaerobic digestion
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kompogas (Kanadevia Inova)coreTechnology or IntegrationAnaerobic digestion facility located in San Luis Obispo, the first of its kind in the US; processes organic waste from SLO County into biogas (powering 600+ homes) and organic certified compost sold to local farms and vineyards
• SLO Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal food bank and partner agency network receiving donated edible food from Commercial Edible Food Generators to fight hunger and reduce waste; located at 1180 Kendall Rd., San Luis Obispo
• Loaves and Fishes - Paso RoblescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood recovery organization in Paso Robles accepting all types of food donations from commercial generators
• Science DiscoverycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation program team formed in 1994 providing free recycling education programs for K-12 classrooms including vermicomposting, recycling, marine debris topics
• CalRecyclecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalifornia Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery; state agency overseeing integrated waste management; provides funding opportunities and regulatory guidance for IWMA programs
• California State LegislaturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState mandate requiring IWMA formation and operation through AB 939, AB 341, AB 1826, SB 1383 and other waste management legislation
• ECOSLOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental Center of San Luis Obispo; provides Green Business Certification for local businesses meeting environmental regulations
• Zero Waste Business CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGBCI-affiliated organization providing resources and guidance for businesses on the path to Zero Waste certification
• Retail Partners (100+ locations)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOver 100 retailers in SLO County (hardware stores, pharmacies, grocery stores, gas stations) that accept batteries, light bulbs, paint, sharps, and medication for free take-back per local Ordinance
• Surfrider FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOcean Friendly Restaurants program recognizing local restaurants committed to sustainable practices; IWMA promotes the program to restaurant owners

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Republic Services: Major national solid waste and recycling company operating across California; competes with other haulers for franchise and commercial contracts, comparable to the haulers IWMA partners with for curbside service.
• CalRecycle (California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery): State-level regulator that sets policy, funds, and audits California JPAs like SLO County IWMA; provides the regulatory framework (AB 939, SB 1383) under which IWMA operates and is a grant provider, not a direct competitor.
• Waste Management Inc. Largest US solid waste hauler operating across residential, commercial, and HHW streams in California; one of IWMA's franchise haulers, providing the underlying collection infrastructure that IWMA coordinates but does not own.

Direct peers

• Rethink Waste (Santa Barbara County): Joint Powers Authority serving Santa Barbara County that coordinates residential and commercial recycling, organics, and hazardous waste programs under California's AB 939 framework; structurally and functionally analogous to SLO County IWMA.
• Yolo County Department of Community Services (YoloSolid): Yolo County's solid waste and recycling program administered at the county level, implementing SB 1383 organics requirements, household hazardous waste services, and public education across member jurisdictions — same California county-authority model.
• Ventura County Integrated Waste Management Division: County-level integrated waste management authority in California administering household hazardous waste, organics recycling, and AB 939/SB 1383 compliance programs across multiple jurisdictions — directly comparable structure, mandate, and resident-facing service mix to SLO County IWMA.
• Kern County Public Works - Waste Management: County-operated waste management division in California handling solid waste, HHW, and landfill operations across multiple jurisdictions, with similar coordination role to IWMA under state mandates.
• Butte County Department of Public Works - Solid Waste: County-operated solid waste and HHW program in California serving unincorporated areas and cities, providing HHW collection events, organics diversion, and recycling outreach — directly comparable county-level waste authority.

Regional players

• Recology: Employee-owned California-focused waste and recycling company providing collection, organics processing, and HHW services in Northern and Central California; comparable service lines to those coordinated by IWMA.
• GreenWaste Recovery: California-based hauling and organics processor serving the Central Coast including SLO County area; operates Mission Country Disposal, a franchise hauler working with IWMA, and runs composting/AD facilities similar to Kompogas.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/sloIWMA
• Instagraminstagram.com/recycle_slocounty

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Slo County Iwma