ABOUT THE AUTHORITY

The Authority plans and implements recycling, composting, reuse, and zero waste programs in the High Desert area.

About the Authority

The Authority plans and implements recycling, composting, reuse and zero waste programs in the High Desert area.

The Mojave Desert and Mountain Recycling Authority

Mojave Desert and Mountain Recycling Authority (or the Authority) is a joint powers authority organized under California Government Code Section 6500. Comprised of nine members, we share the authority to plan and implement recycling, composting, reuse and zero waste programs in the High Desert area.

The JPA is comprised of board representatives from Adelanto, Apple Valley, Barstow, Big Bear Lake, Needles, San Bernardino County, Twentynine Palms, Victorville and Yucca Valley.

JPA facilities and programs may include:

solid waste transfer facilities
household hazardous waste management
composting facilities, materials collection
marketing and market development
public education
conversion technologies
material recovery facilities

What Does the Authority Do?

Finance and manage the operating contract for the Victor Valley Materials Recovery Facility which processes up to 150 tons a day of recycling from Authority members
Administer the Mojave Desert Recycling Market Development Zone, working to find uses for recycled materials
Facilitate member agency and business programs to recycle more including mattresses, carpet, electronics, construction and demolition materials, food and landscape organics, and commercial and multi-family materials
Undertake public outreach and education programs to promote recycling opportunities, including local and regional Facebook pages and electronic recycling newsletters
Work with regional, state and national groups to expand recycling opportunities
Monitor legislative and regulatory initiatives, particularly in California
Sponsor the Mojave Desert and Mountain Master Composters, with over 1200 trained home composters
Negotiate long-term landfill use agreements, stabilizing pricing while encouraging recycling
Organize events to focus on recycling and composting opportunities

Board Members

Town of Apple Valley

Larry Cusack, Mayor Pro Tem, Vice Chair

City of Adelanto

Joy Jeanette, Council Member

City of Barstow

Marilyn Dyer Kruse, Council Member

City of Big Bear Lake

Kendi Segovia, Council Member

City of Needles

Ellen Campbell, Council Member

County of San Bernardino

Paul Cook, Supervisor

City of Twentynine Palms

McArthur Wright, Council Member

City of Victorville

Debra Jones, Mayor, Chair

Town of Yucca Valley

Jeff Drozd, Council Member

Board Meetings

JPA Board meetings are held quarterly on the second Thursday of February, May, August and November. Meetings start at 10 a.m. and are located at the Victor Valley Materials Recovery Facility (see below.)

JPA Technical Committee meetings are also the second Thursday, on months without a Board meeting — January, March, April, June, July, September, October and December.

Board agendas are available to download from our homepage.

Victor Valley Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)

17000 Abbey Lane, Victorville, CA

Residential Recycling Contamination Pilot Project Report of Findings

In 2020, the Authority contracted with ReCREATE Waste Collaborative to conduct a pilot study with the goal of identifying and reducing contamination in the residential commingled recycling stream. Read the final report (PDF) with the project overview, key findings, and recommendations on our blog.

Our History

High Desert communities began working together on solid waste issues in 1988, carrying out a regional landfill study and then continuing to prepare the Desert and Mountain Regional Source Reduction and Recycling Element (SRRE). The SRRE was a requirement of AB 939, California’s Integrated Waste Management Act. The High Desert opted to prepare a regional SRRE, identifying programs needed to meet California’s requirements that 25% of local solid waste be diverted from landfills by 1995 and 50% by 2000.

The SRRE identified a joint powers authority as the agency to coordinate members’ source reduction, recycling, composting, and public education efforts by implementing and funding regionally integrated programs. The Mojave Desert and Mountain Integrated Waste Management Authority was formed in 1991 as the regional forum for local elected officials and staff to meet, discuss and carry out needed programs and services. The JPA Board later determined to use the more descriptive name Mojave Desert and Mountain Recycling Authority.

The JPA includes nine members, jointly sharing their authority to plan and implement solid waste diversion and recycling programs. Adelanto, Apple Valley, Barstow, Big Bear Lake, Needles, San Bernardino County, Twentynine Palms, Victorville and Yucca Valley comprise the JPA. An elected Councilmember or Supervisor represents each member on the Board of Directors, and may be represented by an alternate.

JPA program costs are shared 1/3 equally among the members, reflecting each jurisdiction’s responsibility to carry out diversion activities; and 2/3 based on population, with military facilities excluded since members have no control or responsibility for their performance. By using contractors instead of staff, the JPA is able to anticipate and respond to changing dynamics and circumstances, shifting budget resources rather than increasing expenditures.

Download a PDF History of the Authority.

Contact Us

Do you have a question about the Authority?

Please fill out this form to reach a staff member. We will do our best to get back to you in a timely fashion.