A Season of Sensational Scraps: Upcycling your Waste for a Crafty Winter Wonderland

During the holiday season, our thoughts often gravitate towards cherished moments with family, the warmth of togetherness, and the embrace of time-honored traditions. However, amidst the joy, it’s crucial to turn our attention to an aspect that might not be immediately apparent: waste. From the remnants of festive feasts to the aftermath of unwrapped gifts, each element contributes to our environmental footprint. This article delves into a mindful exploration of how we can transform everyday household items, typically labeled as “waste,” into engaging and creative endeavors to decorate your home for the holidays. With sustainability and reuse at center stage, here are a collection of activities designed to infuse sustainability, reusability, and joy into your festive celebrations.

 

Toilet paper rolls, common and budget-friendly, are versatile materials readily available in households, providing a canvas for a multitude of enjoyable and imaginative projects. With an assortment of colored paper, whether new or repurposed, along with scissors, glue, markers, and other basic crafting supplies, you have the ingredients to create a stunning cast of winter companions. Unleash your creativity to fashion charming figures, including gingerbread characters, snowmen, beloved Christmas icons like Santa and his Elves, and an assortment of winter-themed animals. The only constraint lies in the quantity of empty toilet paper rolls at your disposal. Transform these unextraordinary household items into not just artful creations but also playful toys, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to your crafting endeavors.

 

Are stacks of paper bags cluttering your home? Transform your bags into a captivating holiday decor by simply gluing the bag bottoms, artfully cutting shapes with scissors, and connecting the pieces to craft exquisite snowflakes in various shapes and sizes. These stunning creations can be elegantly displayed on walls or trees, or for an added touch, suspend them from the ceiling using strings and lights. RecycleMore suggests referring to the comprehensive tutorial by Cuckoo4designs for step-by-step guidance. This project is not only quick, budget and user  friendly, but offers an end result that is nothing short of visually striking.

 

Empty egg cartons? Transform these humble containers into a winter wonderland of creativity by cutting the bottoms and giving them new life as adorable winter-themed animals like penguins, foxes, bears, rabbits, and more! Show off your imaginative flair as you craft miniature characters using these repurposed egg carton cutouts. For those eager to explore an expansive realm of egg carton crafts, RecycleMore recommends delving into the inspiring compilation 35 Impossibly Creative Projects You Can Make with Recycled Egg Cartons by DIYCrafts.com. This comprehensive resource offers tutorials on crafting intricate flowers, festive lights, decorations, and an array of crafts guaranteed to infuse holiday cheer into your home and bring joy to the whole family.

 

Creativity and resourcefulness stand paramount when engaging in art, crafting, or weaving cherished memories with loved ones. These qualities are not only integral to the realm of artistic expression but are also fundamental in shaping a more reusable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly ecosystem. Consider the possibilities within your household items—what imaginative wonders can be crafted from the seemingly ordinary? As we embark on this festive season, may the spirit of creativity and resourcefulness illuminate our path to joyful and eco-conscious celebrations.

 

Happy Holidays!

RecycleMore Hosts First Ever Do-It-Yourself Repair Workshop for Residents of West Contra Costa County

On Saturday, December 2, 2023, RecycleMore hosted their first ever free Do-It-Yourself (DIY) repair workshop in partnership with the Hercules Library and Fixit Clinic. Volunteer coaches provided consultation, assessment, and guidance on how to troubleshoot for possible repair of broken and non-functioning household items for residents of West Contra Costa County.

From vacuum cleaners, electronics, small kitchen appliances, zippers, sewing machines, a lawn mower, and even an antique grandfather clock- Fixit Clinic Coaches were on the scene and ready to support! A total of 33 items were registered for repair to be given new life, and a few of them just needed a new part!

Fixit coaches assist a resident with fixing their grandfather clock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the event, 24 total reuse holiday arts and crafts items were completed from 12 young ones to keep them occupied, and for parents and passerby recycling and organics resources and program information, including kitchen food scrap pails, were available at the RecycleMore information booth. RecycleMore staff in attendance included Reka Abraham, Lisa Borreani, Webster Nguyen, and Rachel Dice.

RecycleMore’s Webster Nguyen leading a reuse arts and crafts children’s activity.

In appreciation of the support and collaboration with Hercules Library, RecycleMore is donating a collection of books to be available to residents around the topic of recycling, repair, and reuse. Look for that section available when you visit the Hercules library in 2024.

RecycleMore’s Reka Abraham and Rachel Dice welcoming event registrants at the check in table.

 

 

 

 

 

 

RecycleMore would like to thank the 30 registered attendees who came out, in addition to those that just stopped by to visit (including Hercules City Council Vice Mayor and RecycleMore Board Member, Dan Romero), the nine (9) Fixit Clinic Coaches, Fixit Clinic Founder Peter Mui, and the Hercules Library staff (including Allison Peters, Katy Buder, and Justine Rea), for this successful and popular event.

Events like these help the community to reuse and keep items out of the landfill and RecycleMore is looking forward to hosting more in the future!

 

RecycleMore, Hercules Library, and Fixit Clinic staff pose with past Hercules Mayor and current RecycleMore board member, Dan Romero.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Note:  Photos courtesy of Peter Mui, Lisa Borreani, Reka Abraham, and Alison Peters. Those in the photos have given consent verbally and by attending the event.

Calling Local Artists Looking for a Unique Residency Program – Application Deadline December 15, 2023

The City of El Cerrito is inviting all artists in Contra Costa or Alameda County to apply for The EL Cerrito Creative ReUse (“ECCRU”) Artist Residency, a nine-month program taking place at the El Cerrito Recycling + Environmental Resource Center (“RERC” or “Center”).

FLYER – CLICK HERE

The purpose of this program is to support local artists who work with recycled materials, and to encourage environmental stewardship – specifically resource conservation, recycling, and upcycling – in the community through art that inspires people to think about sustainability and consumption.

The El Cerrito Creative ReUse (“ECCRU”) Artist Residency provides the artist with the following: a stipend, access to certain materials at the RERC for use in artistic projects, an on-site storage bin for materials, and support for an exhibition at the end of the residency. Artwork will be created in the artist’s own workspace, which is not provided. We encourage artists working in all mediums to apply, including but not limited to, painters, textile artists, musicians, performers, photographers, printmakers, those working in film and video, and conceptual and installation artists.

The ECCRU Program was approved by the El Cerrito Arts and Culture Commission (“ACC”) in 2015. The Artist selected for this term will be the fourth ECCRU Artist in the City’s history. The Program is funded by the Art in Public Places Program, established with the passage of the City’s Public Places Ordinance (Section 13.50 ECMC).


View the most recent El Cerrito Creative ReUse Artist in Residence, Steve Zwetsch, and some of his work:

 


 

The City of El Cerrito requires all submissions to be provided online. For information about the program, eligibility, and to apply for the position:

CLICK HERE

Proposals are due by 4:00p.m. on Friday, December 15, 2023.

 

All questions regarding this Call for Artists may be directed to El Cerrito Staff Liaison Alexandra Orologas, at (510) 215-4302 or Email: [email protected].

Aseptic Packaging: Why Items like Milk Cartons Are Difficult to Recycle

Aseptic carton packaging is a well-accepted technique for the preservation of liquid and particulate foods and has revolutionized the shelf life and shipping efficiencies. While this type of packaging offers many advantages for the consumer and the manufacturer, it presents challenges for recycling.

Aseptic Carton Packaging Benefits

When looking at NPR’s article, In The Recycling World, Why Are Some Cartons Such A Problem?, we see that there are a number of environmental benefits to aseptic cartons. Due to its ability to preserve food for longer, its simple shape allows is for higher volumes of transport and capacity to preserve without refrigeration (until opened), and is lightweight; aseptic packaging is a powerhouse when it comes to modern advancements in food packaging.

“Lightweight packaging requires less energy to ship than heavier material (less carbon footprint). The packaging versus product ratio — seemingly the packaging industry’s analog of dress measurements — is only 7 percent packaging to 93 percent product by weight. In comparison, a steel can’s ratio is 13 percent packaging to 87 percent product.”
-NPR

Aseptic Carton Packaging and its Relation to Recycling

While many envision the classic house shaped milk carton as the poster child for recycling; creation of the packaging complicates the relationship between well-known recyclable materials and trash materials. Because of the multiple layers of the several types of materials (i.e: paper, plastic, and aluminum foil) bound with adhesive, it makes these products difficult to recycle. Many recycling service providers do not have the capacity or the technology to properly sort these materials, or the markets to sell them, which limits the recycling options. For facilities that do accept these types of cartons to be recycled, they will be separated by a certain process called hydropulping at the recycling facility. This process separates the paper layer from the aluminum foil and the outer plastic layers and is then recycled and used for other purposes.

Source: In Love with All Things Tetra Pak – all things GUD!

Hydropulping is the state-of-the-art process to separate paperboard from LPB multilayers, reducing the cellulose content to less than 5% (Georgiopoulou et al., 2021; Zawadiak, 2017)

Types of Aseptic Cartons

Aseptic packaging comes in two main types of cartons: Shelf-stable and refrigerated cartons.

As the name suggests, self-stable cartons do not require refrigeration until the product is opened whereas refrigerated cartons are meant to always be stored within the fridge unless in use.

These products generally come within two distinct shapes: rectangular and gable topped (the roofed rectangle, triangular topped cartons).

 

 

 

Rectangular Packaging Source: About Cartons (recyclecartons.ca)    

 

 

 

Gable Topped Packaging Source: About Cartons (recyclecartons.ca)

According to the Carton Council’s findings on aseptic packaging, about 74% paper, 22% polyethylene, and 4% aluminum, go into shelf stable packaging compared to its refrigerated counterpart; being made of 80% paper and 20% pol

How to Spot Aseptic Packaging:

Generally, the look of aseptic packaging has a smooth and glossy exterior with a shiny metallic lining on the inside. According to the askUSDA website, various juices, vegetable products, soups, tofu, wines, liquid eggs, whipping cream, and teas also use aseptic packaging. These materials are often rectangular in shape and are also referred to as Tetra Pak Packaging, which has the following logo on the bottom of their cartons:

   

 

 

Recycle or Not to Recycle?

The more informed you are about what the materials are made of can help to determine what goes where. Due to the inconsistent nature of what can and cannot be recycled, it is important to understand your local recycling/disposal guidelines.

For residents of West Contra Costa County be sure to:

  • Identify what is aseptic packaging; and
  • Depending on where you reside*, this type of item will be accepted in recycling or will need to be placed in the trash.

* For residents in the rest of West Contra Costa County (customers of Republic Services), place these types of items in your curbside trash bin. For residents of El Cerrito, these items are accepted in your curbside recycling containers, preferably rinsed and dried. Cartons are recommended not to be flattened to ensure that the sorting machines are able to properly sort the materials. Sorting facilities have machinery that can register three-dimensional shapes that increases its chances of being sorted properly.

 

For more information and to determine these items and other items of what goes where, refer to the RecycleMore Online Recycling/Disposal Guidehttps://recyclemore.com/guide/

 

From Garbage to Guitars: An interview with El Cerrito Creative ReUse Artist Residency Awardee Steve Zwetsch

Finding new life in unwanted goods

Carrying two guitars in hand (made of upcycled cigar boxes), a small amp, a collection of guitar slides, while wearing a brimmed hat with an assortment of handmade jewelry, Steve Zwetsch puts style in sustainability.

Originally from the East Coast, Steve is now rooted in the Bay Area where in August 2022, was awarded the El Cerrito Creative Reuse (ECCRU) Artist Residency for his collaborative project, Cigar Box Nation, where he creates playable Guitars made from repurposed, upcycled, and found objects.

Further than just creating these guitars, Steve connects with local artists to have them contribute to the process. It is here where you see the amazing intersections of his work, from oil paintings, collage, photography, spray painting, and so much more. All these collaborations and interdisciplinary mediums go into each guitar.

“It’s really magical to find something that’s really cool to add onto an instrument. It’s just a matter of opening up your eyes, looking around and seeing what can be repurposed into something else”.

Seve Zwetsch 

An artform historically established using recycled items

From bed pans, crutches, pool ball racks, and highway signs, each guitar is a unique, creative work of art that has a history and shows the relationship between consumers and the well-used items they no longer need. Steve’s work not only gives new life to these products, but shows us that art, music, and creativity can come from all places, even the dump!

Steve explains that a majority of his influence comes from the music of the rural south, where individuals who could not afford manufactured instruments would create amazing songs and music on instruments made with materials much cruder than the ones Steve is working with.

“In some cases it was a coffee can with a stick running through it and a couple of strings on it. Or they would even hammer a couple of nails to the side of the house and then put a string or a wire through it and bang it with a knife or a bottleneck, and this is how they played music.”

-Steve Zwetsch

An artistic advocate to one of human civilizations longest struggles

The messaging and hope from Steve’s work is one that calls out to reconsider what is waste, and recontextualizes what can be used in new and different ways to keep things out of the landfill. Whether it’s upcycling, swapping, donating, or trading, we can all work together to find new uses in old items.

“We need to move away from being such a throwaway society. We only have so much space and we are running out quickly. And you can have a lot of fun making upcycled things.”

-Steve Zwetsch 

To learn more about Steve Zwetsch, his work, and Cigar Box Kitchen, you can visit his website or his Instagram page @CigarBoxKitchen. You can also find his Channel 7 News Segment, Art of imperfection here.

Steve’s work will be held at the El Cerrito City Hall Gallery Space until December of 2023.

 

View the playable upcycled guitars in action, CLICK HERE, or select the video below:

 

 

Photos and video courtesy of Webster Ngoc Nguyen of RecycleMore.

Food Waste for Compost, Trash, or Garbage Disposal: Which Is Greener?

Composting at home is the most eco-friendly way to get rid of food scraps. Using an at home composting method such as a backyard composter or worm bin saves the natural resources usage required to transport and process the food scraps collected in municipal programs and allows for the householder to benefit from the compost created. This is the preferred option for food scrap disposal. But if you simply don’t have the space or time to maintain a household backyard compost bin, you may be wondering what the next best way is — the trash can or your kitchen sink’s garbage disposal, or something else? While it is convenient to put your food scraps down the sink or toss them in the trash; here are some alternatives that can help you be the best advocate for the environment and possible impacts for these options.

Food Scraps in the Trash – It Goes to the Landfill

Your food that is placed in the trash gets picked up by the garbage collection trucks, and it gets taken to the landfills. Once at the landfill, it starts to decompose and rot, and then releases methane gas. Landfills by law capture methane, and either burn it off or clean it to sell back to the energy grid, however some methane escapes. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas which is harmful to human and animal health and the environment.

Food Scraps in the Sink – It Goes into the Waterways

It can be easy to wash your leftovers from dinner down the drain through an in-sink garbage disposal, however it takes a considerable amount of water (approximately one gallon per person per day)  and energy to filter out food waste when it reaches a water treatment facility. Clean water is valuable, and the process wastes a lot of our precious resources. Once these food scraps are separated, they are generally transported to the same place as they would in the garbage: the landfill.

Food Scraps in the Food Scrap Pail/Organics Bin and Collected at Curbside

A simple option (and second best to composting at home) is to have a food scrap collection pail right in your kitchen to conveniently collect the scraps and then place the contents into the larger green/organics cart provided by your garbage collection company for curbside pickup. You may use any type of container that will fit in your preferred space to make it easy for you to collect your food scraps and empty the contents into the green cart outside. RecycleMore offers small Food Scrap Collection Pails (at no cost) to residents of West Contra Costa County. To learn more about this program and see where you can obtain a Food Scrap Collection Pail, CLICK HERE.

The contents of the green/organics bin are collected on regularly scheduled curbside collection days and brought to the compost facility, where these foods scraps are turned into compost. Once the compost is ready, free compost is available to residents of West Contra Costa County. To learn more about this program and see when and where you can obtain the compost, CLICK HERE.

Having a kitchen food scrap pail is a great alternative to throwing away your scraps into the trash or drain, as it allows you to separate your waste effectively and intentionally.

What Else Can You Do? Reduce Your Food Waste

There’s something you can do in addition to choosing how to discard unwanted food: minimizing the amount of food waste you create in the first place can result in huge positive impacts on your planet and wallet! If you find yourself scraping a lot of food off plates, serve smaller portions. Consider making a meal plan each week to help you buy only the food you need and use it before it spoils. Freeze leftovers and aging produce so they won’t go to waste and challenge yourself to use them creatively, into new recipes. Regrow roots or veggies allow for produce to be reused.

These are just some resourceful ways to cut your food waste down. Here are 10 Ways to Reduce Food Waste, from RecycleMore, CLICK HERE.

 

To learn more about what to do with food waste, the curbside collection organics programs, as well as composting at home ideas, CLICK HERE

10 Ways to Reduce Food Waste

 

With SB 1383 (that took effect on January 1, 2022) and the cost of food increasing (approximately 5.9 percent in 2023), food waste has become a topic of concern. Most people don’t realize how much food they throw away every day — from uneaten leftovers to spoiled produce to parts of fruits and vegetables that could be eaten or repurposed. The average family of four spends $1,500 each year on food that ends up uneaten. Here are some impactful ways to reduce food waste at home. By adopting at least one or two of these solutions, they can become a habit, making it easier to use more food waste reducing strategies in the future.

  1. Create a Weekly Meal Plan

Before heading to the grocery store, make a meal plan of the recipes that you would like to make for that week. Think of how you can extend the meal you plan on cooking and expanding to the next night or two.

  1. Check Your Pantry/Freezer

Check what you have in your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer before you head out to the grocery store. See what you can use as an alternative ingredient instead of buying something new. Use up those items first.

  1. Create a Shopping List

Before going to the store, make a list of the items that you are going to shop for and stick to it. Going to the grocery store unprepared can result in you buying the same thing that you already have at home.

  1. Shop the Weekly Grocery Ads

Consider looking through what is on sale for the week at your designated grocery store and shop for those items. Sign up for club offers and look for coupons. This will help you not overspend.

  1. Get Creative with Leftovers/Designate Leftovers Night

With leftovers, you don’t have to start from scratch, and it will make it an easy meal. Not only can it save a night off cooking but can be more economical. Or designate a theme night to clean out what is in the fridge and invite your friends over.

  1. Serve Smaller Portions

If you feel that you are cooking a lot and it is not being consumed or used, consider not making as much food as you normally do. Make your portions smaller. By serving smaller portions, it can help reduce food waste, but it can also help your health and waistline, if that is a concern.

  1. Use Food Scraps for Soups, Stocks, and Jams, as well as Re-grow Them

Many ends or not so pretty fruits and veggies can be used for soup stock or cooked down a yummy jam. Think about extending the life of the food scrap and creating something else with it. You can even save roots and veggies and regrow them.

  1. Keep Organized

Keep your refrigerator and your pantry organized, so you can easily find out what you have and what you can use. It might make sense to label items with dates clearly marked, so you identify what needs to be used first. A suggestion is to put those items in front or on top.

  1. Freeze Items

If you cannot use items in a timely matter, consider utilizing your freezer. Freeze items and label them clearly with the contents and date, so you know what it is.

  1. Store Items Properly

Make sure you know how to store items properly to extend the life of your food item. Certain locations and bins in the refrigerator, or airtight containers, can offer a longer shelf life. Determine what can be left on the counter/pantry, what goes into the refrigerator, and what should go in the freezer.

 

Consider Composting

When you do have food waste, consider at home composting. Learn more about backyard composting, CLICK HERE.

As an alternate solution, you can always place your items in the green/organics bin for your weekly curbside garbage collection.

Food scrap pails are also available to residents of West Contra Costa County for your kitchen for convenient sorting of food scraps for composting or to place contents into the green/organics bin. For more information, CLICK HERE.

 

Empower Yourself

Take control. Take action. Preventing food from going to waste is one of the easiest and most powerful actions you can take to save money and lower your climate change footprint, by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and conserving natural resources. (Source: EPA.gov)

 

 

RESOURCES:

https://www.epa.gov/recycle/preventing-wasted-food-home#toolkit

https://stopfoodwaste.org/resources

https://stopfoodwaste.org/resource/fruit-veggie-storage-guide

 

Disturbing Geology Findings Shows Plastic Rock Formations

Rocks Made of Melted Plastic Waste Found on Remote Island. “Plastic rocks” found on Trindade Island in the State of Espirito Santo is seen at the laboratory of the Federal University of Parana, in Curitiba, State of Parana, Brazil. REUTERS/Rodolfo Buhrer

 

Recent studies discover the latest evidence that plastic pollution is a global problem.

In September 2022, Marine Pollution Bulletin released an article, “Plastic debris forms: Rock analogues emerging from marine pollution” about plastistones (rocks fused with melted plastic) discovered on the remote volcanic Trindade Island, off the coast of Brazil. Trindade Island is an important conservation spot for the endangered green sea turtle. The Brazilian Navy maintains a base on the island to protect the turtles, and are the only human inhabitants.

Plastistones are described as an analogue to igneous rock (rocks formed by the cooling of magma) that are made from plastic waste. These plastic rocks are found along the beach and form as plastic debris washed ashore breaks down and mixes with the island’s volcanic rock.

Plastistones, Plastiglomerates, and Pyroplastics?

This occurrence of plastistones is one of many sightings of “plastic geology” that have occurred in recent years. USA Today’s article, ‘‘Terrifying’ plastic rock finding: Pollution is embedded in this Brazilian island’s geology’ reports of plastiglomerates, an amalgamation of “rock, sand, and debris fused together by melted plastic” having been reported in Hawaii as early as 2014, as well as pyroplastics, pebble like rocks formed out of burnt plastics on the coast of England in 2019.

In September 2022, lead author of the Marine Pollution Bulletin, Fernanda Avelar Santos, named this new occurrence of plastic waste merging with the ecosystem as a possible contaminant and hazard to any living organism. She contributes a considerable amount of the plastics found in plastistones to waste coming from fishing nets. “The (nets) are dragged by the marine currents and accumulate on the beach. When the temperature rises, this plastic melts and becomes embedded with the beach’s natural material.”

“This is new and terrifying at the same time, because pollution has reached geology,” Santos

The Deepest Depths

Linking Santos’ findings to The Guardian’s 2017 article, “‘Extraordinary’ levels of pollutants found in 10 kilometers (about 6.21 miles) deep Mariana trench,’” where one of the most remote and untouched places on our planet has been discovered to be contaminated by human waste and toxic chemicals; we can see that the waste created by humans have considerable impacts to the larger world around us.

A container of a tin from a food product rests at 4,947 meters on the slopes of a canyon leading to the Sirena Deep in the Mariana Trench. Photograph: Noaa Office of Ocean Exploration.

 

An expedition conducted by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in 2022 also found various manmade items on the slopes leading to the Sirena Deep, part of the Mariana Trench, and the nearby Enigma Seamount. They included tin containers, beer bottles and several plastics bags.

A Unified Effort

While it may feel as if we are entrenched in a hopeless battle against environmental injustice, it is essential that we are aware and critical of why reducing single use purchases, proper recycling and waste management are necessary to protect our planet and its inhabitants.

Whether it is reducing your usage of waste producing products like single use plastics, recycling your items properly, or advocating for institutional accountability and legislature, the work of undoing the impacts of human waste takes a global effort.

 

Hazardous Materials in Home Posed a Risk to City of San Pablo Residents, How Can You Help Prevent Future Incidents?

 

Richmond, CA., August 18, 2023 — A recent incident on August 2, 2023, posed a hazardous material (HAZMAT) incident to the City of San Pablo community and residents. Excessive amounts of lab type chemicals were found in a resident’s home in San Pablo, that was being cleaned out by a relative. The amounts and types of laboratory chemicals initiated a hazardous materials incident that involved several county and state agencies.

Due to the amount of the potentially dangerous materials that were found at this location, residents in the 3-block area were given a mandatory evacuation order between Giant Road, Miner Avenue, 11th Street, and Palmer Avenue, in San Pablo, soon after a Shelter in Place order was given.

The agencies involved did an outstanding job at keeping the residents safe, preventing injuries, and identifying the chemicals (many of which were unlabeled), removing the materials from the residence safely, and disposing of the items properly.

Residents use common household chemicals for cleaning, maintaining yards, and vehicles.  When no longer needed these products must be disposed of properly. RecycleMore would like to remind the residents of San Pablo and all of West Contra Costa County about the no-cost Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) programs available to help people safely and legally dispose of common household hazardous items. Industrial and lab strength chemicals do not belong in the home and should be disposed of by contacting hazardous waste contractors and not delivered to the HHW facility. Even household chemicals can be dangerous.

 

Take stock of cleaners, pesticides, paints, batteries, oils, and fuel stored in garages, sheds and under sinks and bring any old, excess, and unwanted HHW to the HHW facilities in West Contra Costa County (Proof of West County residency is required):

West Contra Costa HHW Facility

101 Pittsburg Avenue, Richmond, CA 94801

9am-4pm Wednesday – Saturday

OR

El Cerrito Recycling + Environmental Center

7501 Schmidt Lane, El Cerrito, CA 94530

9am-4pm Tuesdays Only (For HHW acceptance. Businesses are not accepted.)

 

If you are a small business owner in West Contra Costa County, you may be eligible to drop off hazardous waste for a fee, as part of the Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) Program. For more information, access the RecycleMore website.

“RecycleMore is proud of the Hazardous Waste Programs available to residents and businesses. RecycleMore would not be able to offer these programs without the assistance of the contractor, Republic Services, says Peter Holtzclaw, Executive Director of RecycleMore.

If you have chemicals that are NOT common household products or large quantities, DO NOT attempt to deliver these chemicals to HHW facilities, you may need to hire a hazardous waste contractor to properly dispose of the material. If you believe there is a safety hazard, please contact your local emergency response agency to assess the situation.

 

ABOUT RECYCLEMORE: RecycleMore is a local government joint powers authority created by the cities of El Cerrito, Hercules, Pinole, Richmond, San Pablo and unincorporated Contra Costa County. RecycleMore is also known as the West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority (WCCIWMA).

Within the jurisdiction, RecycleMore provides waste processing management for the franchised waste stream which includes the landfill, recyclables, composting, and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW).

RecycleMore is also charged with implementing and making sure the region is in compliance with California State Laws such as AB 939, AB 1826, and SB 1383, which mandate a reduction in the amount of waste materials going to landfill.

 

Related Links

Website:         https://recyclemore.com/

Website/HHW Facilities:  https://recyclemore.com/hazardous-waste/hhw-facility-info/

Facebook:       https://www.facebook.com/WestCountyRecycleMore/

Instagram:      https://www.instagram.com/westcountyrecyclemore/

RecycleMore Distributes Used Oil Recycling Containers and Filter Drainers at the 2023 Car Show in Pinole

The annual Pinole Classic Car Show was held at Fernandez Park on Sunday, June 25, 2023 from 7am-3pm. The day kicked off with a pancake breakfast at the Pinole Senior Center. After breakfast, many people came out to stroll and view the hundreds of cars on display and visit the vendor booths.

RecycleMore was one of the vendor booths that distributed over 100 Used Oil Drainer Containers and Duo Capacity Oil Filter Drainers. Reusable tote bags and jar openers made of recycled tires were distributed at the booth as well. Mr. Funnelhead made an appearance and took selfies with anyone interested. In addition, 200 Mr. Funnelhead’s Oil Buster Activity Coloring Book’s were passed out to children of all ages, including adults. These items were distributed at no charge to the public and funded by RecycleMore and CalRecycle.

This was a great opportunity for RecycleMore to engage with the public and talk about how to properly dispose of used oil at California Certified Collection Centers, including information on the permanent Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility located at 101 Pittsburg Ave in Richmond, which residents may also dispose of used oil year-round.

Residents in the RecycleMore jurisdiction may request a free Used Oil Recycling Kit that includes a special unbreakable plastic container with a secure screw-on top and leak proof filter bag, by contacting the following:

  • Republic Services Customers (Hercules, Pinole, El Sobrante, Richmond, San Pablo and unincorporated communities of Bayview, Montalvin Manor, North Richmond, and Tara Hills), call (510) 262-7100.
  • El Cerrito Residents, call the El Cerrito Recycling + Environmental Resource Center at (510) 215-4350.

To learn more about how to properly dispose of used oil, please visit this section on the RecycleMore website:

https://recyclemore.com/guide/used-motor-oil-filters/