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A Greener El Cerrito News from the City of El Cerrito Environmental Services Division S tarting in early 2009, recycling collection programs throughout El Cerrito will get a lot easier. Whether you’re recycling at home, at your business, or in City parks, you will no longer need to separate your recyclables—cans, bottles, plastic, paper and cardboard will all go in the same bin. You will be able to recycle more with less effort, and it will be more cost effective, too! Be sure to look for a special bulletin about these new recycling programs that will be mailed to you soon. New Recycling Programs Coming Soon! www.ecenvironment.org • (510) 215-4350 Winter 2009 • Volume 1 I n the past year the City El Cerrito has taken several steps that will help protect our environment in the years to come. For example, the City Council established the new Environmental Quality Committee (EQC) to help address environmental issues in El Cerrito. After several months of planning the EQC is ready to work on several environmentally beneficial programs in 2009. To learn more about what the EQC is working on or to get involved, attend the Committee’s meetings held at the City of El Cerrito Council Chambers (10890 San Pablo Avenue) at 7:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month or visit www.el-cerrito.org/gov/eqc.html, email [EMAIL REDACTED], or call [PHONE REDACTED]. Additionally, staff in the Environmental Services Division worked with other City Departments to audit and install energy efficient lights that will reduce energy use across the City, save thousands of dollars a year, and reduce the City’s environmental footprint significantly. In 2009, the Environmental Services Division hopes to reduce the City’s environmental impact in more ways like this, such as retrofitting heating and cooling systems, managing energy and water use, reducing waste and increasing recycling. For more details on the City’s environmental activities, please contact the Environmental Services Division online at www. ecenvironment.org, email green@ ci.el-cerrito.ca.us, or call 215-4351. City-wide Environmental Achievements ---PAGE BREAK--- A Greener El Cerrito Winter 2009 • Volume 1 Page 2 D uring the rainy season trash on sidewalks and in gutters gets washed into storm drains, flows into creeks, and eventually ends up in San Francisco Bay. The City needs your help making sure our storm drain system doesn’t pollute our waterways. Please make sure that the gutter in front of your home or business is kept clear of trash and debris. The City’s regularly scheduled street sweeping service removes trash and pollutants before they get washed into storm drains. Please help make street sweeping more effective by remembering to park vehicles off the street on your scheduled sweeping day (and remind your neighbors, too). For more information about the street sweeping schedule, visit www.el-cerrito.org/public_works/ or contact the Maintenance Division at 215-4369. New Year’s Environmental Resolution T his year, make a pledge to buy food and products that are grown and made locally. American food typically travels an average of 1500 miles from farm to table. This produces an enormous environmental footprint that can be greatly reduced simply by purchasing food that was grown locally. Local food not only travels fewer miles to get to your table—meaning less fuel used for transportation—it’s also always in season! Check out resources like www.shopelcerrito.com and www. sustainabletable.org for great local places to shop and more information on buying local, and don’t forget the Farmers’ Market at the El Cerrito Plaza, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine, all year round. Local Winter Fun for the Whole Family I n the winter time, don’t forget about our wonderful parks here in El Cerrito. We encourage you to get out and enjoy our City parks this winter. Plan a nature discovery walk with your children by having them look for items like pine cones or frogs! Before you go, have your family brainstorm what you think you might see, or visit www.el-cerrito.org/recreation/parks.html for a list of items to discover and a map of El Cerrito parks. For other information about El Cerrito’s many parks, please contact the Recreation Department at 559-7000. Keep Trash Out of Waterways 10940 San Pablo Avenue El Cerrito, CA 94530 www.ecenvironment.org • (510) 215-4350