April 2004 - San Mateo County
Multi-Family 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 around your neighborhood; 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.
Are You 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, people pay for collection of and disposal of waste.
You can be waste wise. Reduce your waste to preserve renewable and non-renewable resources, such as oil, gas, trees, water, and air. People who reduce waste are regarded as more earth-friendly, which can help with your popularity!
Be waste wise by practicing the three Rs:
- Reduce the amount of waste you generate by choosing products with less packaging, buying in bulk, or taking your own grocery bag to the store.
- Reuse items such as packing your lunch in reusable tubs or buying furniture from an antique store.
- Recycle all types of mixed paper, including cardboard and milk cartons; recycle all types of bottles, including plastic bottles. Check if it has a neck - then, recycle.
Are You Recycling All Your Paper
Paper is everywhere. You receive it as mail; you get it from your printer; you receive it at your doorstep as a newspaper. So, are you recycling all the paper you can? Do a quick inventory in your home: office, living room, kitchen, bathroom. Only one-third of the total paper used is recycled in California. So, what can you do?
- Use paper on both sides.
Many items you receive in the mail have a blank back side. Reuse this paper before you recycle it in your printer or as scratch paper.
- Put your magazines in your recycle bin.
Most people recycle their newspapers but not their junk mail, envelopes and magazines.
- Place your shredded paper in the recycle bin.
After you shred your sensitive documents, place them inside a brown paper bag and then into the recycling bin.
Remember that you pay for what your throw away, so make it your habit to recycle and save money.
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, contact RethinkWaste at RethinkWaste.org or (650) 802-4349, or info@RethinkWaste.org.
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 RethinkWaste at (650) 802-4349, dkramer@rethinkwaste.org.
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.
