Student Scholarships
RecycleSmart has created Waste Reduction Student Scholarships for students attending a public high school in our service area. We will award college scholarships of up to $2,000 to multiple high school seniors every year. If you have implemented a waste reduction program or have made significant contributions to reducing waste at your school, this scholarship […]
Local and Statewide Waste Laws & Policies
LOCAL ORDINANCES City of Walnut Creek Polystyrene Ban Ordinance Plastic Bag Ban Ordinance Contra Costa County Polystyrene Ban Ordinance City of Lafayette Single-Use Carryout Bag Ordinance City of Orinda Polystyrene Ban Ordinance RecycleSmart Ordinances 15-1; Mandatory Commercial Recycling 16-1; Administrative Citations 19-1; Construction and Demolition Debris 21-1; Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction STATEWIDE RECYCLING AND ORGANICS […]
Composting Organics Is Now The Law for Everyone in California!
California’s Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy In September 2016, the Governor set methane emissions reduction targets for California (SB 1383 Lara, Chapter 395, Statutes of 2016) in a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP). California must: Reduce organic waste disposal by 50% by 2020 and 75% by 2025. Rescue for […]
ChowMatch – Neighbors Rescuing Food For Community
Become a ChowMatch Food Rescue Runner! RecycleSmart and White Pony Express have partnered with ChowMatch to use technology to connect uneaten food with those in our communities who need food the most. Many large businesses, like grocery stores, donate food to the local Food Bank or food recovery organizations like White Pony Express. It’s easier […]
Food Waste Reduction and Recovery
Feeding Hungry People and Reducing Food Waste The State of California estimates that over 30% of the material going to local landfills is organic material, which includes food, while one out of every six people in Contra Costa County are food insecure and struggle to find their next meal. When we make the most of our […]
C&D Processing Facility Certification
Mixed C&D Processing Facility Facilities that accept mixed C&D for processing and want to be listed on the RecycleSmart Certified Mixed C&D Processing Facility list and the RecycleSmart Green Halo website, must obtain an approved third-party facility certification. Third-Party Mixed C&D Facility Verification Process Third-party facility verification applies to facilities that accept loads of Mixed C&D Debris. Verification must […]
Food Recycling Project Participants
The Food Recycling Project creates electricity from commercial food waste. It works like this: Discarded foods are taken to EBMUD’s wastewater treatment facility in Oakland, rather than a landfill. At the facility, the food is added to large “digesters” that are primarily used to process sewage waste. All the waste is anaerobically digested, which produces […]
Changes in Global Recyclables Market
Households across California – including in Contra Costa County – are feeling the effects of a recent seismic shift in the way recyclables are bought and sold in the international recyclables market. RecycleSmart customers are already doing a great job at recycling and are among the best recyclers in the State! Over 60% of the waste […]
Schools: Programs and Resources
New Law: SB 1383 SB 1383 regulations require local education agencies (public and charter schools, and county offices of education) to: Separate their organics and subscribe to an organic waste collection service that will ensure that the organics are not landfilled. A 3-container collection system (recycling, organics and landfill) must be provided in all areas where garbage […]
Waivers and Self/Back Haul Requirements
Proper handling of recyclables and organics at your business or multifamily complex is state law. You can easily comply by using the franchised service provider, Republic Services, to collect your materials including all recyclables and organics. For account and service information, contact Republic Services at (925) 685-4711 or email recyclecoordinators@republicsercvices.com. Documenting Alternative Compliance If you choose not […]
