City Of Berkeley: Keep Berkeley Clean As Cal Students Move In

Press release from City of Berkeley:

August 12, 2021

Berkeley, California (Thursday, August 12, 2021) - As the fall semester begins and Cal students move in, tenants and landlords can help keep our streets clean by planning ahead and using City of Berkeley services.

Over-filling a trash bin, leaving used boxes on the curb, and ditching furniture outside create a mess and possible safety hazards. Sidewalk dumping doesn't promote reuse.

We have resources to help you sustainably discard what you don't need - and avoid illegal dumping fines of up to $1,000 a day. Follow these three steps: plan ahead, reuse and recycle.

Plan ahead when new tenants are moving in

If you have new tenants moving in, order extra pickups or increased service for your recycling bins or trash. The property owner or authorized contacts listed on the refuse account can call 510-981-7270 to take advantage of these City services:

• Order extra curbside collection or a short-term dumpster
• Curbside mattress collection is available for 1-9 unit properties this year for up to 2 mattresses or box springs at no charge.
• Schedule a Free Bulky Waste Pickup for extra trash (for 1- 4 unit properties)
• Purchase prepaid trash bags or plant debris bags (for 1-4 unit properties). Up to 10 prepaid City bags, if left at the curb, will be picked up by the City's Zero Waste Division on regular pickup days. Other trash bags left on curbs will not be picked up. Prepaid trash and plant debris bags can be purchased at the Transfer Station or the Berkeley Ace Hardware.
• Take a variety of items directly to the Transfer Station. Residents may drop off up to 2 mattresses or box springs and up to 2 electronic devices for free.

Keep reusable items out of landfills

• Unopened Food: Help neighbors in need by donating unopened food to the Berkeley Food Network.
• Furniture and Household Goods: Reuse stores like Urban Ore accept some furniture and household items in good condition. Check their website or call before visiting to confirm they will accept your items and are receiving donations at this time.
• Textiles: Drop off textiles, including clothing, shoes, handbags, backpacks, and linens/bedding at the Textile Recycling Drop Box at the Berkeley Recycling Center for reuse.
• Cardboard boxes: If using sites like Craigslist, Freecycle or Nextdoor for reusable items, take precautions when arranging pickups or drop offs - all parties should wear face coverings, keep six feet apart, avoid physical contact, and wash their hands before and after the exchange.

Recycle items that can't be repurposed

• The Recycling Center located at 669 Gilman Street accepts a variety of recyclable items, including clothing and household textiles, scrap metal, appliances, cooking oil, and cardboard boxes.
• Electronics: Computers, televisions, microwaves, stereos, and programmable gadgets should never be put into garbage cans, debris bins or placed curbside. They are hazardous waste and must be disposed of properly. Recycle up to 2 electronic items at the Transfer Station for free. The Computer & Technology Resource Center (located at 2nd & Page St. in Berkeley) takes most electronic devices for free. Learn more about the items they accept at ewastecollective.org or call them at (415) 883-1428.
• Household Hazardous Waste: Hazardous items like paint, cleaning supplies, batteries, and fluorescent bulbs cannot be placed in curbside containers, and must be disposed of properly. Visit StopWaste.org/hhw for drop off sites.
• Check the StopWaste.org to find local reuse, repair, recycling, and safe disposal options for almost anything.

Keep Refuse Workers Safe

• Tissues, paper towels, wipes, masks, or latex gloves
• Food and liquids (place food in the compost!)
• Plastic bags

Resources

• City of Berkeley Recycling Services: Multifamily (10 units+) and commercial recycling information
• Berkeley Ecology Center: Residential curbside recycling (1-9 unit properties) information
• Berkeley Recycling Center: Drop off recyclables, including extra cardboard and textiles
• StopWaste.org : Check the RE:Source Guide for local reuse, repair, recycling and safe disposal options for almost anything
• Computer and Technology Resource Center: Accepts electronic waste for recycling and gives away refurbished computers to those in need
• Berkeley Food Network: Help neighbors in need by donating unopened food.

Report Illegal Dumping

This press release was produced by City of Berkeley. The views expressed here are the author’s own.