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<br />The two most prominent waste diversion programs utilized by the SRRE are use of a Materials
<br />Recovery Facility (MFR) and a green-waste/composting program. The MFR has been in operation
<br />at the PIeasanton Garbage Service Transfer Station since 1990, It uses a conveyor belt to facilitate
<br />manual removal of recyclable material from the refuse, PGS also operates a buy-back center
<br />through an affiliated company at the Transfer Station, and collects cardboard, glass, and paper from
<br />commercial and industrial generators. In 2005, approximately 10 to 15 tons a day (about 3,600 to
<br />5,400 tons a year) was removed from the waste stream at the transfer station.]6
<br />
<br />The City and PIeasanton Garbage Service implemented a green-waste collection program in 1996,
<br />and increased this to weekly service in 2004. The program is now diverting approximately 30 tons
<br />a day (about 11,000 tons a year) from landfill, Also, in 2004 this program was supplemented by food
<br />scrap recycling, although to date this has not added significantly to the amount of waste diverted. In
<br />addition, the City participates in educational activities and supports home composting efforts,
<br />
<br />In 2002, the Go Green Initiative was launched by a concerned parent at Walnut Grove Elementary
<br />School. The Go Green Initiative is an environmental program that unites parents, teachers and
<br />children to create a culture of conservation on school campuses. The program which now involves
<br />all Pleasanton Unified School District (PUSD) schools, has spread to thirteen states. The City of
<br />Pleasanton partners with PUSD and Go Green Initiative organizers to encourage recycling and
<br />composting, and to educate students regarding environmental stewardship. During the 2004-2005
<br />school year, the initiative resulted in over 335,500 pounds of paper diverted, over 28,700 pounds of
<br />cardboard diverted, and 1,882 printer cartridges recycled."
<br />
<br />In November 2003, the City held its first E-Waste Day for residents to drop off unneeded
<br />computers, monitors, and other electrical products, This event resulted in 72 tons of e-waste. In
<br />April 2005, the City collected another 74 tons. The City plans to hold an annual E-Waste
<br />collection day,
<br />
<br />Office paper recycling is encouraged through "The Paper Gobbler" program sponsored by
<br />Pleasanton Garbage Service, This program is voluntary and has resulted in 504 tons of paper
<br />diverted from the waste stream in 2005,"
<br />
<br />Despite the programs described above, the City has not been able to report more than a 48 percent
<br />diversion rate, based on a 1990 base year, A study to provide updated information to more
<br />accurately calculate the diversion rate will be prepared in 2006. In addition, the City intends to
<br />work on implementation of a commingled commercial recycling program and a comprehensive
<br />construction and demolition debris recycling ordinance. The City will also be reviewing the
<br />existing residential recycling program to detennine if collection of recyclabIes in a separate bin at
<br />each residence would result in a higher diversion rate.
<br />
<br />16/bid.
<br />
<br />" Karen Brown, Tri- Valley Go Green Coordinator, Personal Communication with Jacqui Diaz, Assistant to City
<br />Manager, City of Pleasant on, September 9, 2005.
<br />
<br />" Debbie Jeffiey, Recycling Coordinator, Pleasanton Garbage Service, Personal Communication with Janice Stem,
<br />Principal Planner, City of Pleasant on, February 13, 2006.
<br />
<br />VI-18
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