Adelanto | Apple Valley | Barstow | Big Bear Lake | Colton | Fontana | Grand Terrace | Hesperia | Highland | Loma Linda | Rialto | San Bernardino County | Twentynine Palms | Victorville | Yucaipa | Yucca Valley |
January - May 2016 Schedule
Every 2nd, 4th & 5th Wednesdays
8:00am to 9:00am
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January 13 - Hwy 62 / Sunny Vista (north side)
January 27 - Hwy 62 / La Contenta (north side)
February 10 - Joshua Tree Library
February 24 - M.D.L.T. Hwy 62 / Olympic (north side)
March 9 - Yucca Mesa / Buena Vista (southwest corner)
March 23 - Hwy 62 / Sunburst (north side)
March 30 - Hwy 62 / Saddleback (south side)
April 13 - Hwy 62 / Hillview (south side)
April 27 - Yucca Mesa / Canterberry (west on Canterberry)
May 11 - Hwy 62 / Sherwood (north side - dirt road between Torres & Olympic)
May 25 - Hwy 62 / Outpost (north side)
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There will be trash bags, grabber sticks and gloves available.
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Co-Sponsors:
Park Rock Cafe, Z107.7, Mojave Desert Land Trust, Joshua Tree Outfitters, Joshua Tree
Recreation & Park, County of San Bernardino Waste Management, Cal Trans and Staff,
Coyote Corner and the Hi-Desert Star.
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For more information, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or go to the
Facebook page @ Joshua Tree Clean Team.
By Guest Contributor Katie Comer
Becoming a zero waste home can be an easy task for all family sizes. Being friendly to the
environment is one of the many benefits of a zero waste home. Using these four steps, you
and your family can be on your way to establishing a zero waste home:
Reducing your item usage sounds challenging, but it is actually one of the easiest ways to
become a zero waste home. Start by transferring your bills from paper copies to electronic.
You can also make all of your payments online. Eliminating check payments can not only
save you money, but can also eliminate waste. Another step to reduce is by making shopping
lists. Plan out meals for the week, or make a list of items you need before waling into any
store. This can save you time and money! We all have thrown away our spoiled groceries,
or never taken tags off a sweater we just had to buy. Making a list before shopping can
help eliminate waste in your home.
Reduce your energy usage at home by converting to solar panels. Solar panels are a
cleaner form of energy than using oil or natural gas. Check out some resources below
such as Mondernize.com for some great information on converting to solar panels, and
how this can save your family money and waste each month.
Via Modernize
Swap wasteful items for reusable items. Eliminate paper products, like paper towels and shopping
bags. Use cloth napkins and reusable bags to eliminate waste, while saving money. Use a water bottle
instead of a plastic bottle and always remember to bring a coffee mug for your morning brew at work.
Another way to reuse items in the kitchen is by saving aluminum foil after usage. You can usually reuse
foil 2-3 times. After use, wash and let the foil dry. You can reuse it to cover up leftovers or bake foods in
the oven. If the foil is too badly soiled with food, rinse it as best as you can and place it in the recycling bin.
Via Purposely Frugal
One of the easiest ways to become a zero waste home is to recycle. Aim to recycle 75 percent of
the items you use. If you have small children, you can put images on the recycle bin of items that
are recyclable. Earth 911.com is a great website to help you find where to recycle items. From
curbside pick up of glass, metal, paper and plastic, this site has everything you need to know about
recycling.
Via Earth 911
Becoming a zero waste home isn't just about making small changes, it's about changing your lifestyle.
Make sure your family, and everyone living in the home, is on board with these changes. Challenge
each other to do more to eliminate waste. Hold each other accountable for making the necessary steps
to being a waste-free home. Make sure your habits, like keeping a reusable shopping bag in your car,
revolve around reducing unnecessary waste. Rethink the way your household can eliminate waste.
With these simple steps, you are one step closer to a zero waste home.
Via Pier8group
www.sbcounty.gov/dpw/solidwaste
HOLIDAY TREE RECYCLING
Once the holidays are over and the decorations come down, the living trees in our homes need a place to go. Did you know that many communities have programs to assist with the proper disposal of those trees (i.e. compost or mulch them)? Please check out the list below of the list of programs available.
ADELANTO - AVCO will collect and recycle Christmas trees from single family residences. Please place your tree at curbside during the period after Christmas (December 26 - January 8th) on your collection day. Trees 6' and over need to be cut in half. Please take all ornaments, lights, and metal stands off the tree. Flocked trees will not be recycled, they will be collected as trash. Flocked trees 6' and over need to be cut in half as well.
APPLE VALLEY - Residents can simply put their tree by the curb and AVCO Disposal will pick up Christmas trees between December 26th and January 9th on regular trash service days. There are three simple steps to take:
1. Remove all decorations, tinsel and stands
2. Cut the tree in half (if more than 6' tall)
3. Place it curbside on your regular trash service day
The clean trees will be collected for grinding and composting. This practice conserves landfill space and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Please note that flocked trees cannot be composted, so they must be cut in half and placed in the green trash barrel for regular disposal. Questions may be directed to AVCO Disposal at (760) 245-8607.
BARSTOW - Burrtec, your local waste hauler, will collect and recycle your holiday tree. Please place your tree at the curb from December 28th through January 8th on your regular collection day. Please remove all ornaments, lights and metal stands from the tree. Flocked trees will be collected as trash. All trees six feet and over need to be cut in half.
CHINO/CHINO HILLS (Incorporated and Unincorporated)
Give back your tree to Mother Earth after holiday festivities. Waste Management, your local waste hauler, will collect and recycle holiday trees for the first two weeks following the Christmas holiday on your regular collection day. Trees taller than six feet need to be cut in half. Remove all decorations including tinsel, lights, ornaments and tree stands. Flocked trees will be collected but cannot be recycled. For multi-family dwellings, trees should be stacked in one convenient location. Check with your landlord or property manager for designated location.
COLTON -Free Collection/Drop Off through Republic Services (the local waste hauler)
Single family residences with automated collection will have free holiday tree collection for the two week period following Christmas Day; beginning Monday, December 28th through Friday, January 8th.
Have trees out by 7 a.m.
Multi-Family dwellings with bin service - are encouraged to rent a roll-off to recycle holiday trees. We are offering a discounted rate for green waste roll-offs during the months of December and January. Smaller complexes may instruct residents to place trees off to the side of the bin for collection, NOT in front or in the bin. (Same regulations as single family apply).
FONTANA (Incorporated) - Burrtec, your local waste hauler, will collect and recycle your holiday tree. Please place your tree at the curb from December 26th through January 8th on your regular collection day. Please remove all ornaments, lights and metal stands from the tree. Flocked trees will be collected as trash. All trees six feet and over need to be cut in half.
HESPERIA - Advance Disposal, the local waste hauler, will collect your holiday tree at the curbside on your regularly scheduled pickup day from December 28th through January 22nd at no additional cost. Residents can also drop off Christmas Trees at the Advance Disposal Material Recovery Facility until January 22, free of charge, by placing the trees in the roll-off marked Christmas Trees Only.
Tree Recycling Requirements - Remove all stands, lights, ornaments and tinsel. Trees over 6' must be cut in half. No flocked trees, artificial trees or plastic bags will be accepted.
HIGHLAND (Incorporated) - Would you like to recycle your holiday tree hassle free? Here is how you can. Simply place your holiday tree at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your regular collection day during the week of January 4th - January 8th, 2016. Please check the holiday service schedule for delays.
For more information, please contact:
Burrtec Waste Industries, Inc. at (909) 889-1969
Cal Disposal Co., Inc. at (909) 885-1023
City of Highland, Public Services Division at (909) 864-8732 x 271
MUSCOY/DELROSA- Cal Disposal, the local waste hauler, will pick up all trees with greenwaste collection.
PHELAN/PINON HILLS - subscribers of CR&R, the local waste hauler, can contact the facility at 800-336-0396 to schedule a pick up on either January 7th or 14th for free.
RIALTO - Holiday trees can be collected throughout the year. Trees longer than six feet need to be cut in half and all decorations, lights and stands need to be removed. Just place the tree at the curbside with your containers on your regularly scheduled day.
SPRING VALLEY LAKE - A large 40 cubic yard container will be placed in the Spring Valley Lake Area (TBD). Residents will be able to place holiday trees at this staffed location during the time period of December 28th through January 8th. Residents can also drop off Christmas Trees at the Advance Disposal Material Recovery Facility until January 22, free of charge, by placing the trees in the roll-off marked Christmas Trees Only.
Tree Recycling Requirements - Remove all stands, lights, ornaments and tinsel. Trees over 6' must be cut in half. No flocked trees, artificial trees or plastic bags will be accepted.
UNINCORPORATED HESPERIA/OAK HILLS - Residents on service with Advance Disposal, the local waste hauler, will be able to place their holiday trees at the curb on their regularly scheduled pick up day from December 28th through January 22nd. Residents can also drop off Christmas Trees at the Advance Disposal Material Recovery Facility until January 22, free of charge, by placing the trees in the roll-off marked Christmas Trees Only.
Tree Recycling Requirements - Remove all stands, lights, ornaments and tinsel. Trees over 6' must be cut in half. No flocked trees, artificial trees or plastic bags will be accepted.
VICTORVILLE - Residents with cart/barrel service will be able to place their holiday trees out at the curb on their regularly schedule pick up day from January 4th - January 15th. Trees over six feet need to be cut in half and all decorations including stands, ornaments, and lights need to be removed. All trees including artificial, flocked and natural trees will be collected. Natural trees will be mulched while other trees will be properly disposed.
For more information, call the City of Victorville Recycling Program at (760) 955-8615 or go to www.victorvillerecycles.com.
WRIGHTWOOD - subscribers of CR&R, the local waste hauler, can contact the facility at (800) 336-0396 to schedule a pick up on either January 7th or January 14th for free.
YUCCA VALLEY - Trees can be dropped off (free of all decorations and stands) behind the Yucca Valley Community Center (57090 Twentynine Palms Hwy) from December 26th - January 15th, 2016.
UNINCORPORATED ADELANTO, ANGELUS OAKS, BARSTOW, CRESTLINE, DAGGETT, DEL ROSA, EAST HIGHLAND, EL RANCHO VERDE, FLAMINGO HEIGHTS, FONTANA, FOREST FALLS, GRAND TERRACE, HINKLEY, JOSHUA TREE, LANDERS, LAKE ARROWHEAD, LENWOOD, LOMA LINDA, LYTLE CREEK, MENTONE, MONTCLAIR, MORONGO VALLEY, MOUNTAIN HOME, MT BALDY, NEWBERRY SPRINGS, NORTH SAN BERNARDINO, OAK GLEN, ORO GRANDE, PIONEERTOWN, REDLANDS, RUNNING SPRINGS, SAN ANTONIO HEIGHTS, TWENTYNINE PALMS, VICTOR VALLEY, YERMO AND YUCCA VALLEY -
Burrtec, your local waste hauler, will collect and recycle your holiday tree. Please place your tree at the curb from December 26th through January 8th on your regular collection day. Please remove all ornaments, lights and metal stands from the tree. Flocked trees will be collected as trash. All trees six feet and over need to be cut in half.
These programs are offered by the local cities/towns in San Bernardino County. Please contact your City/Town for more information on programs in your area. Happy Holidays!
Recently ZWC was contacted by a group of concerned kids at the Brenham Community Center in Texas about recycling. They had seen the Zero Waste Communities website and wanted to pass on more information about recycling. The article they provided on "Recycling Saves Money" talks about how traditional and creative recycling techniques can save those who are recycling, money. If you are interested in reading the article, please check out http://www.perfectalliancecapital.com/recycling-saves-money/. A big thank you to the kids who shared this article and for your concern for the environment and educating the public.
WRITTEN BY JANELLE SULLIVAN
Inkjet and toner cartridges are made out of plastic, a petroleum-based product that takes and estimated 1,000 years to decompose. The growing number of manufactured inkjet and toner cartridges is reason for concern; especially since millions of them find their way to landfills and incinerators every year. Not only does this have a negative impact on the environment, it literally takes taxes the resources of cities throughout the United States. Landfill management requires an enormous amount of money each year, just to keep up with the volume of accumulated waste. It is up to us to find a solution that will decrease this growing threat - a solution that may require a proactive approach of recycling old materials.
Recycling used inkjet and toner cartridges is an easy solution that is very beneficial for the environment. Recycling promotes a healthier plant by reducing the amount of solid waste in landfills and helps to conserve raw materials - materials used to make new goods. Recent studies have suggested that people only reuse or recycle between 20-40% of all empty inkjet cartridges; leaving 60-80% of all inkjet and toner cartridges in existing landfills. And with about three hundred million of these cartridges thrown away each year, that can amount to nearly seventy-five thousand tons of trash. The environment simply cannot sustain itself at this current rate of consumption.
WHAT IS RECYCLING?
Recycling involves a process that changes waste materials into new products. It benefits the environment and it's inhabitants by reducing the consumption rate of raw materials and energy. It also benefits the environment by reducing the production of air pollution, water pollution, and greenhouse gasses. Recycling is one of the three components involved in reducing modern waste and ensures the conversion of waste materials found in empty toner cartridges are made into new products without harming the environment.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO RECYCLE?
Recycling offers many benefits that can help the environment and the people who live in it, and it's benefits can be observed in many ways. For example, recycling saves energy by reducing the energy it takes to process reusable materials. The extra energy used to transport raw materials from one source to the next is also saved. It lessens global warming and environmental pollution by cutting back on manufacturing of new goods using raw materials.
WHAT CAN I RECYCLE?
Recyclable materials include many types of raw materials, such as:
paper
glass
plastic
metal
textiles
and electronics
The petroleum-based plastic found in most inkjet and toner cartridges is a recyclable material. All recyclable materials are sorted through at a collection center that proceeds to clean and reprocess it into new materials bound for manufacturing. Recycling waste material produces a new supply of the same material; this makes it a possible solution to pollution on a bigger scale.
WHERE CAN I RECYCLE PRINT CARTRIDGES?
There are many companies that recycle old inkjet and toner cartridges, and many offer recycling services for free. Some companies also include a redeemable ticket when you purchase a new toner cartridges. To recycle without getting a new cartridge, you can also ask office supply stores to refill your old cartridge with ore ink. Ask an adult for help when your printer runs out of ink and work together to find a solution that works for your family and the environment.
RESOURCES
Recycling Toner/Inkjet Printer Cartridges (PDF)
Raise Funds While Saving the Environment: How It Works
Alternative Recycling Locations (PDF)
Inkjet and Toner Cartridges: Recycling Center Locator
General Information on Recycling
Why Should We Recycle: The Benefits
Recycling Guide: Printer Cartridges
Recycling More Obscure Materials
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot: Recycling Guide (PDF)
Why Recycling Matters: Fast Facts (PDF)
NIEHSKids' Pages: Recycle
Empties4Cash: Which Cartridges
The Importance of Recycling Inkjet Cartridges
The Environmental Benefits of Recycling
Guide Lists More than 45 Places to Donate Household Items
Victorville, CA - The City of Victorville Environmental Programs Division recently updated its Reuse Guide for the Victor Valley. The Reuse Guide is a comprehensive listing of where to donate or re-sell household items.
The Reuse Guide contains a list of over 45 organizations that accept donations of clothing, furniture, household items, and even building materials. The organizations listed either re-sell the items in thrift stores and use the proceeds to support their programs, or the groups use the items directly in providing assistance to local residents. The Guide includes information about which groups can pick up items as well as what groups provide a tax receipt for charitable donation.
The Guide also has a list of on-line resources for people who want to sell, trade, or giveaway items.
Reuse is a great way to save natural resources and also help local non-profit groups. By reusing, valuable items are kept out of the landfill. Those items can be re-sold to generate revenues for the many non-profit groups in the region which provide assistance to individuals needing help. This creates a "win-win" situation for the environment and the community.
In the Victor Valley, all trash ends up at the County's Victorville Landfill, where it is compacted and buried. Throwing away unwanted - but still usable - household items wastes resources, uses up landfill space, and costs residents money for disposal. Keeping items out of the landfill is a much better option environmentally and financially.
The Reuse Guide for the Victor Valley is available on the City's recycling information website: www.VictorvilleRecycles.com (look for "Reuse Guide"). A copy can also be requested by calling the City of Victorville Recycling Program at (760) 955-8615.
EDITORS NOTE: The companies highlighted in the aforementioned article are not endorsed by Zero Waste Communities. These companies are mentioned only as many options to choose from when considering electronics recycling.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for every million cell phones we recycle, 35 thousand pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered. Still only 20% of electronic wastes are recovered and recycled. There is so much we can do to help. First and foremost, reduce how much we consume. Is it really that important to have the latest and greatest gadget? If the one you have still works and gives you minimal trouble (we all know how electronics work) then why not keep using it until you need a new one. Reducing how much we consume will not only save resources and money but will extend the life of many the products we will eventually have to manage.
Let's take cell phones for example. The manufacturers of these devices come out with new phones all the time. You see the commercials where people are trying to give their phones away just to get a new one. The people in those commercials probably don't take the phone and recycle it. Maybe just maybe someone picks it up thinking they can get something from it and recycles it. So many vendors will take back electronic products now. Going back to the cell phone example, major phone companies (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T and Sprint), electronics stores (Best Buy and Staples), computer and cell phone manufacturers (Dell, LG, Nokia, Samsung) all have take back programs. They may be in stores, through collection events, online, or a mail in program. Check your locale retailer/phone provider for recycling options. Some will even pay you for the device. It may not be much but a credit or gift card helps in the long run. There are also non-profit organizations (Cell Phones for Soldiers, Operation Gratitude, local zoos) that will take your device, recycle it and the money earned is put towards a good cause. There are also non-profit organizations that will take the device, recycle it and any money earned is put towards a good cause.
One thing to note if you do decide it is time to upgrade to the latest and greatest, make sure to delete the data on your device before sending it out. Pick and choose your recycling program wisely. You want to make sure that if they offer you compensation, you will get it. Also, remove the batteries (if you can) and tape the terminal end. A lot of batteries mixed in a container can be dangerous and start fires.
Below are some resources to consider when recycling. There are many other options available so check them out and decide which is best for you.
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/ecycling/donate.htm
http://www.att.com/gen/general?pid=20369
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/splash/electronicdevicerecycling.jsp
http://www.sprint.com/responsibility/communities_across/index.html?ECID=vanity:recycle
What is Product Stewardship otherwise known as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)?
Product Stewardship is the ability of a product maker to take back materials or items that they have used to produce their product as a way to manage the waste from that product. It is a shift in the mindset to manage products from start to finish.We are no longer looking at materials with a cradle to grave outlook but more as a cradle to cradle outlook. What can we do with these products and waste materials when the consumer is done with them? Companies who take on this responsibility have to look at what markets are there for their products and packaging, how to fund the collection and management of the materials and how the program will function. More and more companies are looking at product stewardship as good business practices.
In California, there is a group that promotes EPR as a way for business to grow in this state. The California Product Stewardship Council (www.calpsc.org) states that there are several economic benefits to EPR including: "reduced operating costs, creating secondary material markets, reduced disposal costs, energy savings, and the creation of green jobs." Businesses with EPR programs have the option to tailor the program to their own business model. These businesses are even beginning to think outside of the box and looking to their products and packaging to see what they can do to reduce their impact for future products and redesigning them with a reduction of materials already in mind.
As with all programs, there is a cost to managing them. Currently tax payers and garbage rate payers pay the bulk of the cost of managing materials. The EPR system puts the cost back onto the business initially with it passed onto the consumer at the time of the purchase of the product. The systems eventually works out that the consumer pays for the life cycle of that product and may in turn make them think about the products they buy. Consumers are looking for more products with less chemicals, made from recycled content and can be easily managed.
California has several EPR programs already in place including paint, mattresses, electronics, batteries, fluorescent lamps, pharmaceuticals, medical sharps and pesticides. For more information check out the Cal PSC website or the CalRecycle website at www.calrecycle.ca.gov.
This program is brought to you by the County of San Bernardino Library and Department of Public Works, Solid Waste Management Division. For library information please visit www.sbcounty.gov/library. For more information on waste reduction programs please visit www.sbcounty.gov/dpw/solidwaste.
Accepts used books and magazines in good condition as well as CD's, DVD's and video cassettes in good condition and in their original cases. Inquire today at the library helpdesk.
Donate your old cell phones and accessories as well as eye glasses at the library. Cell phones are donated to Cell Phones for Soldiers which is a non-profit organization that raises money through the sale of the phones to purchase calling cards for soldiers serving overseas. Eye glasses are donated to Lens Crafters.
Consider donating these items to your local library. It is recommend that all data and pictures are removed off electronic devices before donating.
Using or buying less stuff is the best way to reduce waste. The next best thing is to reuse items. Here are some projects that you can do in the classroom or at home.
Instead of tossing all those old magazines into the recycling bin, you can reuse some of the pages to make colorful and interesting envelopes.
Step 1: Choose a magazine page. Cut a total or 2 inches off the top and/or bottom to form a square sheet.
Step 2: Place the sheet face down. Fold one corner up, almost folding the sheet in half (within 1-2 inches).
Step 3: Fold sides in about 1 inch away from first fold (step 2), forming 90 degree angles. Make sure the sides are high enough for your letter.
Step 4: Use a glue stick to glue side flaps in place. Be sure not to glue the inside shut.
Use a self-addressed stamp
Write addresses on mailing labels
Seal with clear tape or glue stick
Use calendar pages to make bigger envelopes
Repurpose empty cardboard milk/soy cartons as a feeding station for outdoor birds.
Step 1: Take an clean and empty cardboard carton and punch a hold through the top of one side of the peak to the other. Thread a piece of yarn or ribbon through the top and tie it in a loop so you can hang the feeder.
Step 2: Cut a few round holes, about the size of a golf ball, a few inches from the bottom of the carton. Make sure to enlist the help of an adult when cutting.
Step 3: Decorate the outside of the carton using reusable items like sticks or make a perch for the birds by the feeding holds using the pieces you cut out of the container. If you are using a hot glue gun, make sure to enlist the help of an adult.
Step 4: Spoon wild birdseed through the holes.
Step 5: Hang the bird feeder in a tree away from cats! Enjoy watching your birds eat. Don't forget to fill the feeder on a regular basis.
You will need the following materials: medium cardboard box, piece of construction paper, tape or glue, and markers or crayons.
Step 1: Find an empty, clean cardboard box. If you don't have a box, you can use a paper grocery bag.
Step 2: Fold the flaps of the box inward - down inside the box. If using a bag, just fold the edges of the bag inward.
Step 3: Use scrap paper to make your own recycling sign and attach it to the box or bag. Or simply draw on the sides with crayons or markers.
Step 4: Place your recycling station next to your indoor trash can. Now it is ready to use!
Talk to your family/class about how to recycle and ask them to help. When the container is full, take it out and empty it into the larger recycling bin. Put your collection container back in its place and you can begin recycling again!