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Zero Waste

Recycle Right! Understanding why it matters!

August 30, 2020 by Laura Vernon

Contamination in our recycling and compost is a huge deal. Just because you want to recycle something, it doesn’t mean it’s actually recyclable. So the wrong thing in the wrong bin is called contamination and has all sorts of implications. But first, remember that there are human beings who sort your recycling — so when you put a used tissue, a dirty pizza box, food soiled paper — there are people who are sorting out your nasty garbage. Clean recycling is dirty enough, but it’s not nasty. Managing your waste and recycling is respectful to the earth but also to the front line workers who handle your recycling (note- trash is never sorted, and contamination in compost is pulled out after it’s been largely composted – at great expense btw).

On a recent Sustainable Fairfax Community Chat, we talked with Casey Fritz from Marin Sanitary (MSS). Casey shared that over 50% of what Fairfax residents are sending to the landfill is recyclable or compostable–that’s a lot of room for improvement! She went through the list of the do’s and don’ts and it’s confusing because the rules changed when overseas markets announced they didn’t want our contaminated recycling any longer because we were essentially exporting our landfill waste and pollution. You can watch the entire zoom chat here, but highlights of the talk, along with my commentary, include:

  • the ONLY plastics that are actually recycled are water bottles, jugs (like detergent bottles), and tubs (like yogurt containers). That means that all the other packaging, clam shells (like lettuce and take-out food containers) — it’s ALL garbage. Don’t let yourself feel better by recycling it!
  • Compostable plastics — ALL of it — is trash. Yes it’s crazy making that it says compostable, but it does NOT break down in 6 months so our (and most) commercial compost facilities cannot take it. And don’t be fooled by the fact that Recology takes it in the city. They pay people to pull it out, where it is trashed. Yup. Makes no sense. I used to think that purchasing compostable cups is still better even if they’re landfilled because it’s plant-based material. That’s not really true either, but it’s also a little complicated. There’s lots of pressure on manufacturers to make this right, so I remain hopeful but in the meantime – – just say no to these fraud materials.
  • Paper needs to be clean and dry. Food contaminated paper is compost. It’s that easy.
  • MSS has a dual stream recycling system. They used to be criticized for not having a single-stream system, but since the markets have shifted so dramatically, other recyclers are wishing, big-time, that they had a dual stream. Sorting into the proper streams is really important. check out this video that goes a long way in explaining this:

It’s a great description of some of the issues described here. Take note about the plastics bags. They NEVER ever go in either recycling container, or the compost for that matter. Skip plastic bags altogether. I use a brown paper bag in my trash can. I line it with egg container to give it a little more strength. (here’s another video that really shows people sorting our recycling — it’s a little longer)

I have lots of tips and tricks, I’m sure you do too. When in doubt – throw it out! Lets keep this conversation going! Our garbage represents our consumption. Everything we buy represents embedded energy and a tremendous use of resources that you can’t see. It’s our individual and collective responsibility to our health, to our kids health, to the planet, to do this better. Let’s make better purchasing decisions to make less crap in the first place, but at the end of the day, let’s put stuff in the right bin! It’s not that hard but does require intentionality. It’s also a sign of respect to the front line waste workers sorting our recycling! They will thank you and so with the earth!

Join Sustainable Fairfax’s Zero Waste Committee – we have work to do and would love your energy. We meet on the 3rd Tuesday of the Month at 7:00. Reach out to chat about it. laurav@sustainblefairfax.org

Filed Under: Board Blog, Community Chat, slider, Zero Waste Tagged With: blog, zerowaste

Past Chat: Recycling and Waste Minimization. Zoom and presentation links available.

August 11, 2020 by Sustainable Fairfax

Sustainable Fairfax Launches Community Chats.  Zoom with us to learn and discuss the ever-present importance of paying attention — to the stuff we buy and to the waste we create every day. Our actions, now as much as ever, matter. Talk to the Sustainability Coordinator from Marin Sanitary (our waste and recycling hauler) and some neighbors about today’s challenges, AND HOW YOU CAN HELP! We can ALL do better.

Date: Thursday, August 27th, 7:00-7:45 – PAST

PAST ZOOM CHAT LINK

Copy of Powerpoint Presentation

Are you Generating more Waste at Home During Covid? Bulk bin sections are closed, you can’t bring your own containers, and many people report more online shopping. But we can cook more food with less packaging, and we can do more shopping locally. It’s so important today to support our local stores.

Let’s zoom and chat about some of the strategies we are ALL doing to counter our waste epidemic!

Let us know if you have any questions at info@sustainablefairfax.org.

Filed Under: Community Chat, Zero Waste Tagged With: compost, zero waste

Fairfax Residents: Next Compost Delivery- Sat, June 27th

June 4, 2020 by Sustainable Fairfax

FREE COMPOST FOR FAIRFAX RESIDENTS.  Come and take advantage of the second compost delivery of the year from Marin Sanitary Service. This compost is made from the food and yard waste collected in our green curbside carts.

Date: Saturday, June 27, 2020 (available while it lasts)

Pickup Location: Fairfax Pavilion Parking lot next to the ballpark fence.

Photo Credit: Hana Peck

Masks and 6-foot distancing are required while collecting your compost. Only one person should shovel at a time.

To ensure there is enough to go around, please do not take more than five 5-gallon buckets (which provides a one inch cover for a 40 square foot garden).  Bring your own containers and shovels for collection.

Use of Compost: Compost is a soil amendment that improves the water-holding capacity and structure of your soil, but too much of it can harm your plants. It is recommended that you use no more than 1-2 inches on your annuals & perennials.

This compost is for Fairfax residents only and is not for commercial use.

Let us know if you have any questions at info@sustainablefairfax.org.

Filed Under: Zero Waste Tagged With: compost, zero waste

Fairfax Curbside Cleanup: May 4-8

May 1, 2020 by Sustainable Fairfax

FAIRFAX! On your regularly scheduled collection day during the week of May 4-8, 2020, you may put out up to 14 bags of extra material to be collected at no extra cost.

THIS IS THE PERFECT TIME FOR A SPRING YARD CLEAN UP!
Leave your extra bagged yard waste out for us to collect so it can be turned into organic compost.

Place 32 gallon bags or cans of extra garbage, recyclables or yard waste at the curb the night before your regularly scheduled service day. There is a 14 bag limit. Each bag can not weigh more than 60 pounds.

MARIN SANITARY WILL ONLY COLLECT MATERIAL IN BAGS OR CONTAINERS

PLEASE NO BULKY ITEMS.
Bulky items such as couches, appliances and large items will not be collected on your Curbside Clean-up day.

HAVE A BULKY ITEM? Give Marin Sanitary a call at (415) 456-2601 to schedule your two (2) inclusive annual pick-ups of large items like furniture and appliances. Special handling fees may apply.

This service is proudly offered by Marin Sanitary Service and the Town of Fairfax.

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Zero Waste Tagged With: composting, curbside, recycling

Congrats Zero Waste Schools!

February 25, 2020 by Sustainable Fairfax

Life lessons, savings, and less to the landfill.

Twenty-nine of Marin’s 49 public K-12 schools are enrolled in the Zero Waste Schools Program, and more are coming on board every year. In Fairfax, White Hill Middle School and Manor Elementary are among the participants.At these schools, students and staff conduct a waste assessment, learn about proper sorting and set up a comprehensive recycling and composting program.

Funded by Zero Waste Marin, the Zero Waste Schools Program provides containers for indoor and outdoor discard stations as well as other equipment at no cost to the school. They also train teachers and staff, help with green team coordination and other ongoing zero waste activities. Schools that achieve their goals are certified and awarded with recognition and up to $2,500 in cash. To date, nine schools have been recognized.

Zero Waste School students learn important life lessons and keep waste out of the landfill. For example, Laurel Dell Elementary in San Rafael, one of the first schools to join the program in 2015, has increased the amount of waste that’s recycled or composted from 20% to 50%! That’s a win for the environment and helps reduce the school’s garbage bill. Every dollar not spent on waste is a dollar that can be better used educating our kids.

To learn more about the Zero Waste Schools Program, visit www.ZeroWasteMarin.org/Schools.

Filed Under: Zero Waste Tagged With: Slide, zero waste

POSTPONED- First Compost Delivery of the Year!

February 24, 2020 by Sustainable Fairfax

FREE COMPOST FOR FAIRFAX RESIDENTS.  The compost delivery will be postponed due to concern about invasive bermuda grass that is growing and may contaminate the compost, as well as concern for keeping appropriate social distancing in response to the COVID-19 rules. Sign up for our newsletter on our home page to be sure you get notifications. This compost is made from the food and yard waste collected in our green curbside carts.

This compost is for Fairfax residents only and is not for commercial use.

To ensure there is enough to go around, please do not take more than five 5-gallon buckets (which provides a one inch cover for a 40 square foot garden).  Bring your own containers and shovels for collection.

Use of Compost: Compost is a soil amendment that improves the water-holding capacity and structure of your soil, but too much of it can harm your plants. It is recommended that you use no more than 1-2 inches on your annuals & perennials.

Let us know if you have any questions at info@sustainablefairfax.org.

Filed Under: Zero Waste Tagged With: compost, Slide, zero waste

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