SLEIGH BELLS RING; YOU RECYCLING? 7
Total Views: 38 By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office Image credit: Shutterstock December 12, 2022 (San Diego) – Santa Claus, jingle bells, gifts, packages and — recycling? Yes! The holidays are a great time of the year to put your recycling skills to work, from all that wrapping paper to gift boxes and even our Christmas trees—if you are using a real tree. And, in the holiday spirit of giving, the County Department of Public Works would like to give you some tips on what to recycle and how to do it properly. That way you can even give something back to Mother Earth in this season of giving. Christmas Trees We all love our beautiful Christmas trees. But if you’re using a real tree, there eventually comes a time to say goodbye. The County is here to let you know how to recycle it the right way. Properly recycled trees and wreaths can be turned into mulch that will improve soil health and help soil retain moisture at our parks, farms, home gardens and landscapes. Recycling them also keeps them from going into the trash where they can unnecessarily fill up landfills and generate unwanted climate-changing greenhouse gases as they decompose. So, check with your waste hauler to find out if they offer curbside pickup. Many of them do. Or go to the County’s recycling and hazardous waste database, WastefreeSD.org, to find Christmas tree drop-off sites near you. It’s easy. Type “Christmas tree” in the “find an item” box, add your ZIP code, community and how you heard about the site, and you’ll see all the drop-off locations near you. Finally, remember, never leave your old dry tree or wreaths lying in the backyard where they can become dangerous fire hazards. Know What Packaging Can — and Can NOT — be Recycled Online shopping and gift-giving typically means lots of packaging, and a lot of stuff to recycle. But not all packaging can be recycled. For example, cardboard boxes and kraft paper can be recycled (just break them down and put them in your blue recycling bin). But other items can’t — manila envelopes, padded plastic mailers, bubble-wrap and traditional gift-wrapping materials including metallic wrapping paper, wrapping paper with glitter, ribbons, bows, twine, tissue paper and cellophane. So please DO NOT put them in your blue recycling bins; consider re-using them instead. Here’s a link to learn more about how to Recycle Right during the holidays and every day. Christmas and Holiday Card Recycling Like packaging materials, not all holiday cards should be added to your recycling. Simple paper cards and envelopes can be added to your blue bins. But cards that have glitter, foil, metallic inks (inks made with tiny metal flakes) or other adornments can’t. If there’s a glitzy front and plain paper backing, tear the cards in two. Recycle the backs and put the glitzy fronts into the trash. Holiday Light Recycling Please — don’t put old holiday lights in your recycling bins. They can tangle up recycling equipment and they also pose a danger to workers in those recycling centers. For recycling options, please visit WasteFreeSD.org, or contact a scrap metal or e-waste recycler. So there you have it. Remember, if you have other questions about what can and can’t be recycled, go to DPW Recycling’s webpage or to DPW Recycling’s Facebook page. Printer-friendly version
7 viewsIT’S THE MOST RECYCLABLE TIME OF THE YEAR! 2K
Total Views: 13 By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office Image credit: Shutterstock December 23, 2021 (San Diego) – It’s the most — recyclable — time of the year! Think about it. The holiday season brings all kinds of recyclable things into our homes, from wrapping paper and packages, to yes, even our Christmas trees if you’re using a real one. And these days, having blue bins for recyclable materials right at home, recycling is a snap. With that in mind and in keeping with the holiday spirit, the County’s Department of Public Works would like to give everyone a gift — some handy recycling tips, what to recycle and what not to put into your blue bins! Remember, don’t take a holiday from recycling! Christmas Trees If you have a real Christmas tree, you’ll eventually have to bid it goodbye. The County urges you to recycle it the right way. Check with your waste hauler to find out if they offer curbside pickup; many do. You can also cut your real tree up and put it in your green organics bin or go to the County’s recycling and hazardous waste database WastefreeSD.org to find Christmas tree drop-off sites near you. Make sure to remove all ornaments, garland, lights, nails, tree bags, tree stands (metal or plastic) and tinsel before recycling. Real tree wreaths can also be recycled by placing them in your green organics bin. Leaving them lying in your backyard can turn them into fire hazards. Properly recycled trees and wreaths can be turned into mulch that will improve soil health and help soil retain moisture at our parks, farms, home gardens and landscapes. Know What Packaging Can — and Can’t — be Recycled Gift-giving and online shopping typically means collecting lots of packaging. Not all packaging can be recycled. For example, cardboard boxes can be recycled; just break them down and put them into your recycling bin. And non-metallic wrapping paper can go into your blue bin. But other items can’t — manila envelopes, padded plastic mailers and cushioning material, and traditional gift-wrapping materials including ribbons, bows, twine, tissue paper and cellophane. So please do not put them in your blue recycling bins; consider re-using them instead. Here’s a link to learn more about how to Recycle Right during the holidays and every day. Christmas and Holiday Card Recycling Like packaging materials, not all holiday cards should be added to your recycling bin. Simple paper cards and envelopes can be added to your blue bins. But cards that have glitter, foil, metallic inks (inks made with tiny metal flakes) or other adornments can’t. If there’s a glitzy front and plain paper backing, tear the cards in two. Recycle the backs and put the glitzy fronts into the trash. Holiday Light Recycling Please — don’t put old holiday lights in your recycling bins. They can tangle up recycling equipment and they also pose a danger to workers in those recycling centers. For recycling options, please visit WasteFreeSD.org, or contact a scrap metal or e-waste recycler. Here’s a pictorial list of what — and what not — to put in your blue recycling bins. So there you have it. Remember, if you have other questions about what can and can’t be recycled, go to DPW Recycling’s webpage or to DPW Recycling’s Facebook page. Printer-friendly version
2K viewsMAKE BACK TO SCHOOL SEASON THE GREATEST EVER 2
Total Views: 34 Earn an A+ in sustainability this school year with tips from Waste Management Source: Waste Management August 7, 2018 (San Diego) – As millions prepare to head back to school, Waste Management of Southern California is offering parents, students and educators practical tips to make this school year more sustainable by reducing, reusing and recycling right, in and out of the classroom. “Back to school season is the perfect time to incorporate eco-friendly practices into our daily routine that can have a lasting positive impact on the environment,” said Eloisa Orozco, spokesperson for Waste Management of Southern California. “By committing to reduce, reuse and recycle right, we can all do our part to make this school year the greenest ever.” Go green this school year with these tips from Waste Management: Ditch those disposable bags and pack lunches in reusable containers to reduce waste. Make the grade by purchasing school supplies made from recycled materials to help keep the cycle of recycle going. As you make room in the closet for all the latest back to school fashions, consider donating unused items to a local charity to help others and promote the reuse of materials. Upgrading to the latest computer, tablet or phone? Recycle your old device properly or consider donating it to a local non-profit. Electronics require special handling and should never be placed in the trash or recycling. Place clearly marked recycling containers in common areas at school, home and work to encourage recycling. Learn and teach others the three basic rules of recycling both in and outside the classroom: 1) Recycle bottles, cans and paper 2) Keep food and liquids out of the recycling 3) Keep plastic bags out of the recycling Become the ultimate recycling ambassador this school year with resources from Waste Management. Visit rorr.com. ABOUT WASTE MANAGEMENT Waste Management, based in Houston, Texas, is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America. Through its subsidiaries, the company provides collection, transfer, recycling and resource recovery, and disposal services. It is also a leading developer, operator and owner of landfill gas-to-energy facilities in the United States. The company’s customers include residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers throughout North America. To learn more information about Waste Management visit www.wm.com or www.thinkgreen.com. Printer-friendly version
2 viewsCONTAMINATION IN YOUR RECYCLING CONTAINER MAY LEAD TO A CRISIS FOR THE CITY’S RECYCLING EFFORTS 2.2K
Total Views: 22 Source: EDCO December 22, 2017 (Lemon Grove) — Incidental contamination in recycling containers may threaten recycling efforts and participation by residents and business. Contamination occurs when non-recyclables are placed in recycling containers before collection and can include anything from food waste, appliances to plastic bags. During this time of year, even old worn out strands of Christmas lights that are not recyclable may be found in recycling bins. End-use markets for recyclable materials, which are mostly in Asia, have shrunk and demand for material quality is higher than ever. Did you know that nearly 60% of recyclables generated in California are exported to China and other Asian countries? Effective in 2018, China will impose a new contamination standard that will require shipping of the cleanest recycling product for end-use. For further details on contamination and to learn more about what is recyclable, visit EDCO’s website at www.edcodisposal.com . Printer-friendly version
2.2K viewsRECYCLE THANKSGIVING TURKEY FAT, OIL AND GREASE (FOG) AT EDCO BUYBACK CENTERS 16
Total Views: 63 East County News Service November 20, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – EDCO would like to remind residents that kitchen fat, oil and grease (FOG) that’s left over from daily cooking, or after deep frying a Thanksgiving turkey, can be recycled! For interested residents, EDCO has a free, safe and more environmentally friendly option for disposing of household FOG. Residents are asked to simply collect used discarded FOG in a leak-proof container and drop it off free of charge at one of EDCO’s conveniently located Buyback Centers. The FOG will then ultimately be processed, filtered and converted into biofuel by a third-party processor. It is important that participants do not mix FOG with any other oils, such as motor oil or gear oil, that inhibit the process of converting the FOG into biofuel. Facilities are located at: EDCO Station Buyback Center 8184 Commercial Street in La Mesa Monday-Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed on Thanksgiving Day) EDCO Recycling Buyback Center 6700 Federal Boulevard in Lemon Grove Open Seven Days a Week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed on Thanksgiving Day) EDCO Recycling Buyback Center 224 S. Las Posas Road in San Marcos Mon.-Fri. 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sat 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (closed on Thanksgiving Day) Fallbrook Recycling Buyback Center 550 W. Aviation Road in Fallbrook Monday–Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed on Thanksgiving Day) For more information, visit the EDCO website at edcodisposal.com. Printer-friendly version
16 viewsMONDAY MEETING TO COLLECT PUBLIC’S TRASH INPUT 2K
Total Views: 34 By Gig Connaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office November 3, 2016 (San Diego) – County officials are inviting the public Monday night to tell them what they think of a draft plan that aims to keep 75 percent of all trash out of landfills by 2020 — and maybe even hit a “Zero Waste” target by 2040. Public Works officials are holding a meeting from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at the County Operations Center Chambers, at 5520 Overland Avenue in San Diego, to present their draft “Strategic Plan to Reduce Waste.” The department plans to use the public’s ideas — collected from feedback Monday night and from comments sent to the County — to create waste-cutting recommendations it would present to the Board of Supervisors next year. If the Board eventually adopts a plan, it would apply to unincorporated communities. “Diverting” trash like recyclables, yard trimmings, food scraps, paper and construction debris by recycling, composting and re-thinking consumer and business practices can help the environment, create new jobs, cut the need for new landfills, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The state established a goal in 2011 of diverting 75 percent of all waste out of landfills by 2020. It also recently set goals to divert 50 percent of organic waste — such as grass clippings, brush and food scraps — by 2020 and 75 percent by 2025. Public Works officials held a series of public meetings in May and June to collect information that helped create the draft plan. The plan can be reviewed at the Department of Public Works Strategic Plan to Reduce Waste webpage. People can send comments about it to the County at recycle@sdcounty.ca.gov. Printer-friendly version
2K viewsCOMMUNITY CLEAN-UP DAYS 3.7K
Total Views: 58 East County News Service July 3, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – You’re invited to bring your green waste, trash, waste and brush for disposal at four community clean-up days coming up in Potrero, Campo, Boulevard and Jacumba. Free mulch and wood chips will also be available. The clean-up days are all on Saturdays from 7 a.m.to 1 p.m. Locations and dates are: August 27: 24954 Broken Bone Lane, Potrero September 24: Campo Community Center October 28: Old Boulevard Fire Station November 19: Jacumba Community Park Dumping of material before or after clean-up day is not allowed. Residents are responsible for hauling their own material to the site. The sites cannot accept materials from businesses, contractors, or construction materials. The clean-up days are co-hosted by TEAME in partnership with EDCO Disposal and the Real East County Fire Safe Council. Printer-friendly version
3.7K viewsREALTORS HOST FREE SHREDDING, E-WASTE RECYCLING 2.5K
Total Views: 39 East County News Service May 5, 2016 (San Diego) – The Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR), a 2,300-member trade group for San Diego-area realtors, will provide free paper shredding and electronic recycling services from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, May 13, at PSAR’s East County Service Center, 1150 Broadway, El Cajon. The event is open to the public. The public is invited to bring boxes containing personal and confidential information that will be shredded on the spot at no charge in the parking lot of the PSAR El Cajon office. Paper documents should be removed from binders prior to shredding; however, staples, paperclips, CDs and floppy discs are okay to be shredded. Accepted e-waste items include computers, laptops, notebooks, PDAs, printers, copiers, scanners, fax machines, TVs, monitors, hard drives, keyboards, cell phones, power supplies, landline telephones, mice, cabling, stereos, plasma screens, VCR and DVD players and car batteries. Items not accepted include kitchen appliances, light bulbs or printer toner cartridges. PSAR officials said the recycling event will help reduce improper and illegal dumping in landfills, and protect the plant from various toxicities from reaching our soil and environment. Sponsors of the PSAR shredding event include PSAR, Farmers Insurance, HomeBridge Financial Services, Legacy Escrow, Mann vs. Pest Co., Inspection Connection San Diego and Marco Flood Restoration. For more event information, including a list of qualified e-products, contact PSAR by calling (619) 579-0333 or visit www.psar.org. Printer-friendly version
2.5K views“SUSTAIN LA MESA” ENVIRONMENTAL FESTIVAL SEPT. 7 3.1K
Total Views: 33 September 6, 2013 (La Mesa) – The City of La Mesa is holding its sixth annual “Sustain La Mesa” Environmental Festival September 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden Street, La Mesa. The free event is presented by the La Mesa Environmental Sustainability Commission and will feature hydroponics, solar cooking, composting, electric vehicles, kid’s crafts and more. This year’s theme is “Bringing Green to the Table”. The theme highlights that the words “La Mesa” translates into “The Table” in Spanish. Attendees can explore the interactive booths and exhibits, including topics such as energy and transportation, horticulture and habitat, water, recycling, and a kid’s zone. Innovative technologies, including the newest electric cars and the latest in sustainable building materials will be on display. An EDCO recycling zone for hard to recycle materials will be available. The winners of the “Our Planet, Our Home” K-12 Environmental Literacy & Art Contest will be announced and their entries will be displayed at the festival. For more information on the festival please visit www.cityoflamesa.com/SustainLaMesa. Printer-friendly version
3.1K viewsEAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: TOP LOCAL AND STATE NEWS 6
Total Views: 32 January 16, 2013–(San Diego’s East County)–East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include: STATE Calif desert aquifers contain high chemical levels (Sacramento Bee) California Poverty Rate Highest in Nation Based on New Census Department Figures(Huffington Post) Judge continues to block part of Calif. Initiative on human trafficking (Sacramento Bee) Calif. teachers fund moves to divest from firearms (Sacramento Bee) Pilfering plastic a booming industry in Calif. (Sacramento Bee) Can San Andreas Break At Once? Study Says Maybe (AP) LOCAL//REGIONAL Gillespie Field Expansion Brings Promise And Controversy(KPBS) Filner’s agenda for change tempered by finances (U-T San Diego) Murder rises second year in row U-T San Diego) DA: La Mesa doctor is a fake (U-T San Diego) Date set for power plant implosion (UT San Diego) Steps taken for possible restart at Cal nuke plant (Sacramento Bee) Ground rules set for Somali terrorism trial (U-T San Diego) How Will Junior Seau’s CTE Diagnosis Affect The Next Generation? (KPBS) Local college students turning to ‘sugar daddies?’ (U-T San Diego) FBI Says Crime Rates Increased Across San Diego Area In First Half Of 2012 (KPBS) San Diego Lawsuit Says Blue Cross Illegally Targeting HIV/AIDS Patients (KPBS) City Heights Stuck in the Middle of Filner-Gloria Spat (Voice of San Diego) San Diego Will Take A $40 Million Hit On Pension Costs (KPBS) San Diego Ordinance Would Require Businesses To Increase Recycling (KPBS) Shames sues UCAN for libel (U-T San Diego) Read more for excerpts and links to full stories. STATE Calif desert aquifers contain high chemical levels (Sacramento Bee) January 9, 2013–More aquifers in the SouthernCalifornia desert contained high levels of arsenic, boron, fluoride and other naturally occurring elements compared with the rest of the state, a study released Wednesday found. Federal scientists only looked at the presence of contaminants in raw, untreated groundwater and did not analyze tap water. Water agencies typically treat groundwater supplies to make drinking water and to comply with health standards. California Poverty Rate Highest in Nation Based on New Census Department Figures(Huffington Post) November 16, 2012–California has a poverty rate of 23.5 percent, the highest of any state in the country, according to figures released this week by the United States Census Bureau. The only other geographic region with an equivalent poverty rate is the District of Columbia, with 23.2 percent. The second most poverty-stricken state was Florida, at 19.5 percent. Judge continues to block part of Calif. Initiative on human trafficking (Sacramento Bee) January 11, 2013–A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction on Friday blocking part of a voter-approved ballot initiative related to human trafficking, ruling that the provision likely violates the free speech rights of sex offenders. U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson’s decision keeps in place an existing injunction against a section of Proposition 35 that requires registered sex offenders to give authorities a list of their Internet providers and screen names. Calif. teachers fund moves to divest from firearms (Sacramento Bee) January 16, 2013–The nation’s largest teacher pension fund is taking the first step toward divesting from companies that manufacture guns and high-capacity magazines that are illegal in California. The investment committee of the California State Teachers’ Retirement System unanimously approved a motion by state Treasurer Bill Lockyer on Wednesday. Pilfering plastic a booming industry in Calif. (Sacramento Bee) January 13, 2013–A new breed of thieves is scoring big not with cash, jewels or cars, but empty milk crates. Southern California is seeing a boom in the theft of crates, pallets, and other easy-to-steal hunks of plastic that are chopped up and sold torecycling centers for totals that investigators estimate at some $5 million annually, theOrange County Register (http://bit.ly/Sp4oIy) reported Sunday. Can San Andreas Break At Once? Study Says Maybe (AP) January 10, 2013–Certain earthquake fault segments long thought to be stable may rupture and cause a mega-quake, suggests a new study. That’s what happened during the 2011 magnitude-9 quake in Japan that triggered a tsunami and during the 1999 magnitude-7.6 Chi Chi quake in Taiwan. In both cases, scientists assumed that “creeping” sections of a fault would serve as a buffer and prevent the entire fault from unzipping. But a new study published online Wednesday in the journal Nature suggests this may not always be the case. LOCAL//REGIONAL Gillespie Field Expansion Brings Promise And Controversy(KPBS) January 14, 2013–It used to be a racetrack. Now, the ghosts of shouting fans and noisy stock cars going 100 mph in the straightaway haunt these 70 acres of flat, open field in El Cajon. What will become of the place that used to be the El Cajon Speedway? One person suggested we could build the new Chargers’ stadium here. Peter Drinkwater laughs when he hears that. “Well… the FAA would have a lot to say about that!” he said, referring to the Federal Aviation Administration. “I don’t think they would allow another 50-year interim use, like the racetrack, for a Chargers’ stadium.” Filner’s agenda for change tempered by finances (U-T San Diego) January 15, 2013–With the city facing a $40 million budget deficit, San Diego Mayor Bob Filner tempered expectations for his first year in office while simultaneously promising to bring about fundamental change to how City Hall operates and interacts with the public during his first State of the City address Tuesday. Filner didn’t reveal many new details during the 37-minute speech, preferring instead to emphasize the pledges he made during the campaign, such as a renewed focus on neighborhood needs, the installation of solar panels on all city buildings and a more open government. Murder rises second year in row U-T San Diego) January 12, 2013–Murder is on the rise for the second straight year in San Diego County, a trend that has left law enforcement officials grappling to find solutions to everything from gang warfare and domestic violence to budget cuts that they say have reduced crime-fighting capabilities. The county logged 110 murders in 2012, according to data compiled by U-T San Diego. That is a 34 percent increase over the previous year, and a 59 percent rise over 2010, when a decades-low tally of 69 slayings was recorded. DA: La Mesa doctor is a
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