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A Greener El Cerrito News from the City of El Cerrito Environmental Services Division www.ecenvironment.org • (510) 215-4350 Summer 2010 • Volume 5 Recycle TVs and computer monitors, computers and accessories, stereos and music equipment, VCR & DVD players, toner cartridges, printers, fax machines, copiers, phone equipment, cell phones, MP3 players, & more for free! Recycle clean, large household appliances including large refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers, stoves and water heaters for a $40 fee (cash only in exact change), small refrigerators for a $20 fee, and microwaves for a $5 fee. UnWaste will also be accepting textile, clothes, shoes and linens for free. For more information visit www.unwaste.com or call Universal Waste Management, Inc. at (888) 832-9839. Batteries, fluorescent bulbs and tubes, paints and chemicals, and other hazardous wastes cannot be accepted during this event. Please take these items to the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility at 101 Pittsburgh Avenue in Richmond. For more information visit www. recyclemore.com or call (888) 412-9277. Food Scrap Composting Coming in July! The City of El Cerrito is partnering with the West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority (RecycleMore) to hold a special collection event for hard-to-recycle materials at the Recycling Center. During the event El Cerrito residents (with proof of residency) can drop off: • Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) and tubes (household quantities only and no more than 5 eight foot tubes per household—use caution to avoid breaking) • Mercury thermometers (exchange for a free digital thermometer—use caution to avoid breaking) • Over-the-counter and prescription drugs including expired and unused pills, syrups and inhalers in original containers (black out personal information and leave drug name intact—controlled substances such as narcotics and steroids cannot be accepted) • Needles and syringes in biohazard containers (exchange for a free needle container—needles not in biohazard containers cannot be accepted) These items will only be accepted at the Recycling Center on the day and times listed above. For more information please contact the Environmental Services Division. All items listed may also be dropped off for free at the Household Haz ardous Waste (HHW) Facility in Richmond, or via household pickup for seniors and disabled persons. For more informa tion visit www.recyclemore.com or call (888) 412-9277. Free Electronic Waste and Clothing Collection Event June 5 & 6 I 9 AM to 3 PM El Cerrito Department of Motor Vehicles (6400 Manila Ave.) Recycling Center Special Collection Event for Fluorescent Bulbs and Tubes, Medicines, Needles and Thermometers September 25 I 9 AM to 12 PM El Cerrito Recycling Center (7501 Schmidt Lane) 10890 San Pablo Avenue El Cerrito, CA 94530 www.ecenvironment.org [EMAIL REDACTED] (510) 215-4350 Starting July 1, El Cerrito residents and businesses will be able to compost food scraps and other organic material, such as pizza boxes and paper plates, in the green bins currently used for yard waste. Check your mailbox and our website in May for details about this new program. ---PAGE BREAK--- A Greener El Cerrito Summer 2010 • Volume 5 Page 2 Free Energy Efficiency and Solar Advice Offered in El Cerrito SMARTSOLAR PROGRAM Are you interested in making your home more energy efficient and self-sufficient? Would you like more information about solar technologies before talking to a contractor? SmartSolar offers independent, site-specific analysis of solar and energy effi ciency opportunities for local residents and businesses. This free service demysti fies solar and energy efficiency investments with unbiased, consumer-friendly information and advice. A SmartSolar audit assesses a property’s potential for installations of solar technologies and energy efficiency measures, including cost-benefit analyses, information about local contractors, building codes and ordinances, financing options, rebates, and incentives. SmartSolar can also help clients navigate the management of solar projects at their properties. For more information, visit the SmartSolar website at www.ebenergy.org/smartsolar or call (510) 981-7750. The SmartSolar program is offered by the local nonprofit Community Energy Services Corporation with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar America Cities Initiative and in partnership with the cities of Richmond, El Cerrito, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, and Oakland. CALIFORNIA YOUTH ENERGY SERVICES PROGRAM Want to save money, help the environment, and support young people all at the same time? CYES is here to help! The California Youth Energy Services program offers free Green House Calls to residents of the East Bay. Our professionally trained Youth Energy Specialists will visit your home, install FREE energy saving equipment like CFL lightbulbs and efficient showerheads, and provide you with a personalized energy-saving plan. There are a limited number of green house calls available – most are in the summer, but in some areas they begin as early as February. Reserve yours quick! Call [PHONE REDACTED] x10 to sign up, or visit our website at www.risingsunenergy.org. California consumers are not obligated to purchase any full fee service or other service not funded by this program. This program is funded by California utility ratepayers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The City of El Cerrito is preparing a Climate Action Plan (CAP) aimed at reducing local pollution that contributes to global warming, also known as greenhouse gases. The CAP will assist the City Council and the El Cerrito com munity in determining the best avenues of action to reduce locally produced greenhouse gases and to create a safer and more sustainable El Cerrito. While we’re preparing the CAP, we want to gather input from residents, employees and busi nesses through meetings, workshops and an on-line survey. The El Cerrito Climate Action Survey is now available at www.greenelcerrito.org and via the El Cerrito Environmental Services website. Please consider taking 15 minutes to fill it out. The Environmental Services Division will also make hard copies of the survey available at events such as the 4th of July Fair and at the regular meetings of the City’s Environmental Quality Committee, held at City Hall on the second Tuesday of each month. If you would like more information regarding the City’s Climate Action Plan, please contact Environmental Analyst Maria Sanders in the Environmental Services Division at : (510) 215-4351 or [EMAIL REDACTED]. Take the Climate Action Survey SmartSolar customer Tom Friedland and his new solar panels. Take the survey now! Online at: www.greenelcerrito.org ---PAGE BREAK--- A Greener El Cerrito Summer 2010 • Volume 5 Page 3 Illegal dumping and littering are major issues of concern because they can have a big impact on public health, safety, and the environment. Trash, debris, and toxic waste flowing into creeks and the Bay untreated can compromise the environment. Birds, plants, fish, and small animals can die from ingesting harmful chemicals or by becoming entangled in debris. Decomposed litter and food can also kill aquatic life by depleting the oxygen supply in the water. Household and automotive debris are eyesores and, in many cases, appliances and auto parts may leak toxic fluids or release heavy metals into the water. To find out more about the proper disposal of hazardous waste, visit: www.el-cerrito.org/recycling. There are some less obvious sources of water pollution too. For example, when residents wash a car in a driveway, all of the soap, scum, chemicals and oily grit run into the storm drain and then directly into creeks, streams, reservoirs and other bodies of water. This is unhealthy for the fish, plants, and humans who need clean water. Wash your car on grass or gravel instead of on the street. The ground will serve as natural filter for the water. Better yet, take your car to a car wash where the water will be treated and recycled. Please do your part to help protect our waterways. To report illegal dumping or a spill, call 1-800-No-Dumping (1-800- 663-8674). Don’t Be a Litter Bug! Register for the Fall Citywide Garage Sale October 9 I 9 AM to 3 PM Turn your old stuff into treasure! Register now to host a garage sale at your home during the Fall Citywide Garage Sale. Registration fees help cover the costs of advertising and promotion which includes posting your sale in the garage sale brochure, classified ads in local newspapers and online. Help us by spreading the word about the Garage Sale. Make your event fun and enjoyable by providing refreshments, treats, prizes or other enticements! Send us your suggestions regarding how to make our advertising strategy more effective—feedback from past garage sale hosts is especially valuable. Garage Sale Registration Form Fall 2010 El Cerrito Citywide Garage Sale October 9 I 9 AM to 3 PM Registration forms are due (with $12 registration fee paid by check to the City of El Cerrito) on September 24 by 4 p.m. by mail to: Environmental Services Division—Garage Sale 10890 San Pablo Avenue El Cerrito CA, 94530 Street Address/Sale Location_ Nearest Cross Phone Email Address (please provide an email address, especially if you would like the opportunity to review the accuracy of your listing prior to publication): Sale Description: Maximum of 20 words describing the items for sale and any other details about the sale (i.e. fundraiser for a specific charity, snacks available, etc.). Descriptions will be repeated verbatim in the listing so please use good grammar. SHOP THE SPRING GARAGE SALE ON MAY 22! Find good bargains! Shop the Spring Garage Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Garage Sale listings will be available online at www.ecenvironment.org and in self-serve literature stands located at the Community Center (7007 Moeser Lane) and the Recycling Center (7501 Schmidt Lane) starting May 14. Stay Involved-Sign Up for Email Updates The Environmental Services Division issues a email about volunteer opportunities and environmental activities in El Cerrito. Sign up today! Join online or via email: www.el-cerrito.org/esd/action.html [EMAIL REDACTED] ---PAGE BREAK--- A Greener El Cerrito Summer 2010 • Volume 5 Page 4 May 13 Bike (or walk) to Work (and school) Day: Do you part to reduce carbon emissions and celebrate the health and freedom of human-powered transportation! May 15 10 AM to 12 PM Healthy Gardens without Toxic Chemicals: Learn to create a healthy garden ecosystem and protect yourself, family, pets, and the environment. $10 registration fee for residents—register online at www.ecenvironment.org or with the Community Center. May 22 9 AM to 3 PM Spring Citywide Garage Sale: See article for details. May 31 Memorial Day: Recycling Center closed / curbside collection unchanged. June 5 & 6 9 AM to 3 PM Electronic Waste Collection Event: See article for details. July 1 Food Scrap Collection Program Starts: More details coming later in May and June. July 4 10 AM to 6:30 PM El Cerrito Environment Booth at the 4th of July Fair: Visit us at El Cerrito’s Annual 4th of July Fair at and around Cerrito Vista Park. Get answers to questions about recycling and environmental programs, includ ing the City’s new Food Scrap Collection Program, fill out our Climate Action Survey, and get your free reusable take-out container (see articles for details). September 6 Labor Day: Recycling Center closed / curbside collection unchanged. September 25 9 AM to 12 PM Special Collection Event at the Recycling Center: See article for details. October 9 9 AM to 3 PM Fall Citywide Garage Sale: See article for details. Environmental Activities Calendar FREE Solid Waste and Recycling Services ONE-TIME FREE GARBAGE & GREENWASTE PICKUP Did you know that El Cerrito’s garbage company, East Bay Sanitary, will provide one free annual pickup of extra garbage or yard waste from your home? As customers, you are entitled to dispose of one and a half cubic yards of trash or yard waste (equivalent to twelve 30 gallon plastic bags) once per calendar year, at no charge! Contact East Bay Sanitary at 237-4321 for specific details and requirements, and let them know whether you have garbage or green waste to dispose. FREE PICKUP OF USED MOTOR OIL & FILTERS El Cerrito provides free motor oil and filter recycling kits for free curbside pickup of used oil and filters for El Cerrito residents. Contact the Environmental Services Division at (510) 215-4350 to request a free kit and to schedule a pickup. FREE HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE PICKUP FOR SENIORS AND THE DISABLED The West Contra Costa County Household Hazardous Waste Facility is offering free pickup of household hazardous waste from West County residents that are elderly or disabled. Household hazardous waste includes items like paints, batteries, cooking oil, electronic waste, fluorescent tubes and bulbs, fuel, cleaners, microwaves, chemicals, sharps, TVs, and more. Call (888) 412-9277 to make and appointment and for more information. BACKYARD RECYCLING AND GARBAGE SERVICE FOR SENIORS AND THE DISABLED The City of El Cerrito and East Bay Sanitary offer backyard recycling, garbage and green waste collection services for the elderly and disabled at no extra charge. Contact the Environmental Services Division at (510) 215-4350 and East Bay Sanitary at (510) 237-4321 to set up this service – please be prepared to demonstrate proof of needing the service when you call. FREE REUSABLE TAKEOUT CONTAINERS The Environmental Services Division and Environmental Quality Committee will be distributing free reusable take-out containers to El Cerrito residents who fill out the Climate Action Survey at the 4th of July Fair - come to our booth in the vendor area or call for more details.