April 2004 - San Mateo County
Commercial Recycling and Resource Conservation Nexus
A Monthly Electronic Newsletter from RethinkWaste.org/SBWMA
Make Earth Day Count This Month
Earth Day is Thursday, April 22. Every voice counts; every action matters. Earth Day is based on the simple philosophy that ordinary people, acting together, can achieve extraordinary things. What do you have in mind to celebrate Earth Day? Below are a few things you can do.
- Participate in local Earth Day activities, such as a clean up, native plant planting, or fruit pick; see the ìUpcoming Eventsî section below or look in your local paper for listings.
- Host an Earth Day event at your workplace; visit the Earth Day Network for ideas at www.earthday.net.
- Re-invigorate your recycling program; see articles below.
Whatever your interest, there is something you can do to celebrate the resources of our planet.
Is Your Business WasteWise?
How do you count waste? Waste is a symptom of an inefficient process. Waste is material and supplies that are paid for and subsequently rendered useless, which is costly. Everyday, businesses like yours pay to collect and haul away waste.
You can be waste wise. Reduce your waste to preserve renewable and non-renewable resources, such as oil, gas, trees, water, and air. Also, businesses that reduce waste are regarded more favorably by customers, the public, and their own employees.
Be waste wise and help your bottom line. Give your business a boost by reducing your waste. Contact a recycling service provider today to find out how you can do more to reduce the amount of garbage your company generates. You can also sign up for the WasteWise program from the US EPA to have a consultant assist you to meet specific waste reduction goals. Contact RethinkWaste at (650) 802-3500 for more information.
Source: CIWMB, Business Resource Efficiency & Waste Reduction www.ciwmb.ca.gov/BizWaste, Feb 2003
Are You Recycling All Your Paper
Paper is everywhere. You receive it as mail; you get it from your printer; you collect lots of it as you go to conferences. So, are you recycling all the paper you can? Do a quick inventory.
Most of the paper that is generated is from businesses and industrial sectors; however, only one-third of that total paper is recycled in California. So, what can you do?
- Remove garbage cans from desks and copiers.
Most "waste" generated at a desk or at copiers is paper. So, by removing that garbage can under the desk and replacing it with a paper bin, you can effectively replace the waste with recycling. To hold trash, consider using a mini-bin or side-saddle.
- Recycle all paperboard and boxes.
In kitchens and mail rooms, you can add a paper bin to collect paperboard and boxes instead of throwing them away.
- Participate in Clean Your Files Day.
This nationwide celebration of recycling involves more than 250 cities, business, and organizations. Tools and information to conduct this activity are available through the United States Conference of Mayors web site at www.usmayors.org/USCM/recycle/clean/cyfd.htm. Contact your local recycling service to obtain extra paper recycling containers for your event.
Remember that you pay for what your throw away, so make it your business to recycle.
Upcoming Events
Apr 12-23: Earth Day Mobile Phone Collection
Communities will be collecting mobile phones for reuse and recycling while generating funds for community projects. During the weeks around Earth Day April 12-23, 2004, drop off your old cell phones, chargers, pagers, and PDAs, and any extra batteries bundled together with a rubber band in a collection box at one of the locations. All donations are appreciated, but the newer the equipment, the better.
For more information, email info@rethinkwaste.org or call (650) 802-4349.
Apr 22 - May 31: New Life for Old Soles
RecycleWorks is organizing a countywide athletic shoe recycling collection. Drop off old sneakers at various locations around San Mateo County.
For more information, contact RecycleWorks at www.recycleworks.org, (888) 442-2666, or info@recycleworks.org.
May 15, 8am - 11am: Reduce Air Pollution with a New Electric Lawn Mower
Trade in your old gas powered lawn mower and buy a new electric mulching mower at a $100 discount at the Lawn Mower Exchange. Contact San Mateo County RecycleWorks at 1-(888) 442-2666 or www.RecycleWorks.org for details on this event. Available to San Mateo County residents only ñ bring proof of residency.
This event will be held at Home Depot, 2001 Chess Drive, San Mateo
May 22 9am - 2pm: Computer Collection Event for Reuse and Recycling
Drop off up to five computer systems for reuse and recycling at San Mateo County Expo parking lot in San Mateo. No fee for residents and small businesses of Atherton, Belmont, Burlingame, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Hillsborough, Menlo Park, North Fair Oaks, Redwood City, San Carlos, and San Mateo.
For more information, contact the RethinkWaste Recycling Coordinator at (650) 802-3500.
Factoid
About 80% of what Americans throw away is recyclable, yet our recycling rate is just 28%.
Source: Environmental Protection Agency
To be added or removed from this list, contact the RethinkWaste Recycling Coordinator at (650) 802-3500.
