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A Greener El Cerrito News from the City of El Cerrito Environmental Services Division www.ecenvironment.org • (510) 215-4350 Fall 2011• Volume 9 El Cerrito Recycling and Environmental Resource Center Nears Completion C onstruction of the new El Cerrito Recycling and Environmental Resource Center at 7501 Schmidt Lane is well underway and will be nearly completed by the end of the year. The City expects that new recycling collection oper ations will start in early 2012. The new facil ity will include expanded op portunities for the collection and exchange of reusable items, improved pedestrian ac cess and safety, and expanded collection for hard-to-recycle items. The new recyclables being considered for collection at the new Center include used building materials, CFLs, carpet, cooking oil, and much more. During these final months of contruction, the City will continue to keep all drop-off recycling functions open in the interim facility, at the entrance to the current site. However, because of space constraints, some functions may not be available at all times, and parking will be limited. In order to relieve congestion at the interim facility, El Cerrito residents and all other users of the Recycling Center are encouraged to put recyclable items accepted via the curbside collection program in their household recycling bins until the new Center opens. The new facility will be a zero-net energy, LEED platinum facility incorporating recycled building materials and solar powered public electric - vehicle charging stations. Note: Between September and January it is likely that there will be some limited closures of the Recycling Center - including the public recycling drop-off area and the customer service offices - in order to transistion operations into the new facility. Notice of closures will be posted onsite and online at www.el-cerrito.org at least 24 hours in advance of closures. For more information on the project please visit www.ecenvironment.org or call 215-4350. T he City of El Cerrito is currently performing a comprehensive review of its recycling, green- waste and garbage (solid waste) hauling rates and operations. This is a part of a continuous review process to ensure that rates and services are in line with City needs and goals. As a part of the review process, the City hosted a community input meeting on August 25 at City Hall, where representatives from East Bay Sanitary Company and the City heard comments from members of the public regarding solid waste services and rates. El Cerrito community members who wish to share their input regarding El Cerrito’s solid waste rates and operations may contact Environmental Analyst Garth Schultz at [EMAIL REDACTED] or 559-7684. The results of this review, including new solid waste rates starting in January 2012, are scheduled to be presented to the City Council during the regular Council meeting on November 21. For updates, please check the City website at www.el-cerrito.org or call 215-4350. 10890 San Pablo Avenue El Cerrito, CA 94530 www.ecenvironment.org [EMAIL REDACTED] (510) 215-4350 City Reviewing Solid Waste Rates and Operational Efficiency View of the site, looking West from the Hillside Natural Area. Photo by Dan Holzner. Remember, you can now put your greenwaste cart out every week! ---PAGE BREAK--- A Greener El Cerrito Fall 2011 • Volume 9 Page 2 SEPT 5 All day Labor Day Holiday: The Recycling Center will be closed all day. Curbside collection of recycling, greenwaste and garbage will occur as normally scheduled. SEPT 21 10 AM - 12 PM Community Meeting on Compostable Containers for Restaurants: El Cerrito food service businesses and interested community members are invited to learn about incentive funds to cover the cost of sample compost containers, and their benefits. El Cerrito City Hall, Council Chambers (10890 San Pablo Avenue). SEPT 24 10 AM - 12 PM Community Gardens in El Cerrito: Come explore the possibilities! Learn about local community vegetable gardening, and more. El Cerrito City Hall, Council Chambers (10890 San Pablo Avenue). OCT 15 9 AM - 3 PM Shop the Fall Citywide Garage Sale: Keep waste out of the landfill while discovering your community and finding great deals. See details below. Please note the new date (originally scheduled for October NOV 11 All day Veterans Day Holiday: The Recycling Center will be closed all day. Curbside collection of recycling, greenwaste and garbage will occur as normally scheduled. NOV 24 & 25 All day Thanksgiving Holidays: The Recycling Center will be closed Thursday and Friday. Curbside collection of recycling, greenwaste and garbage will occur as normally scheduled. DEC 23 - 26 All day Christmas Holidays: The Recycling Center will be closed Thursday through Monday. Curbside collection of recycling, greenwaste and garbage will occur as normally scheduled. DEC 31 12 PM - 6 PM New Years Eve Holiday: The Recycling Center will close at 12 PM on Saturday. JAN 1 & 2 All day New Years Holidays: The Recycling Center will be closed Sunday and Monday. Curbside collection of recycling, greenwaste and garbage will occur as normally scheduled. JAN / FEB TBD Electronics Waste Collection Event: The City of El Cerrito usually sponsors a weekend-long electronics waste collection event in early January. Upon reopening of the new Recycling Center, these events will be held at the new facility at 7501 Schmidt Lane. The City anticipates holding an electronics waste collection event in Janurary or February. Details will be included in the Winter issue of this newsletter and online. Environmental Activities Calendar For more information see www.ecenvironment.org or call 215-4350 HOST A GARAGE SALE! 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 newspapers and online. Spread 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 sale hosts is especially valuable. New Date for the Fall Citywide Garage Sale October 15, 9 AM to 3 PM Garage Sale Registration Form Fall 2011 El Cerrito Citywide Garage Sale October 15 (Rescheduled from 10/8) I 9 AM to 3 PM Registration forms are due (with NONREFUNDABLE $12 registration fee paid to the City of El Cerrito) by September 26 at 4 p.m. to: Environmental Services Division—Citywide 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 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. FIND GOOD BARGAINS! Shop the El Cerrito Citywide Garage Sale! Garage sale maps, locations, and listings will be availalbe online at www.el-cerrito. org and in self serve literature stands at the El Cerrito Recycling Center (7501 Schmidt Lane) and Community Center (7007 Moeser Lane) starting on October 7.