October 11, 2012
Post date: Oct 24, 2012 5:52:25 PM
Hi MOB,
Here are the notes from our membership meeting last Thursday:
SSF Scavenger - Barbara, the recycling manager for South San Francisco Scavenger, came to our meeting to provide tips for recycling various household items. Some of her key points, and answers to your questions:
Recycling
-The plastic bin is primarily for things that are containers (milk jugs, clamshells, shampoo bottles) but not for little things that happen to be plastic (toothbrushes, used up markers, pizza "tables").
-The glass bin is also for containers, but not for things like broken drinking glasses or dishes.
-All of the recyclables are hand sorted once they reach SSFS, so rinsing is appreciated.
-The recycling trucks are split into plastic and glass, so all the stuff you sorted stays sorted. Please use the correct sides of the recycling bin. This helps to keep the paper on the paper side clean so they can sell it at a higher grade.
-Glass does get broken as it goes into the truck, but they are still able to recycle most of it as mixed broken glass.
-Waxy paper containers (milk, juice, etc.) are not recyclable and should go in the trash.
Composting
-Right now there is business composting but no residential composting available. Lipman has been working with SSFS on a compost pilot project - cool!
-SSFS is planning to introduce composting as a residential option in July 2013 and will be out presenting that to the community as it is available.
-They are working with cutting-edge anaerobic digestion technology for this project, which would not only provide composting services but also provide methane gas to fuel their trucks.
-Once this is introduced they will be able to take food-soiled paper, coffee filters, food waste, pizza boxes, etc.
Hazardous Waste
-Incandescent light bulbs go in the trash, Fluorescent light bulbs can be recycled at Brisbane Hardware.
-SSFS offers household hazardous waste drop-off for some things on Saturdays (paint cans, oil from your car). See their website for details.
Other Stuff
-There is a Reuse Guide that has been published locally. You can get a printed copy of this guide by calling SSFS or go online: www.recycleworks.org to learn where you can recycle odd things like old tennis shoes and toothbrushes
-Tipping your garbage man? The garbage men love treats and tips during the holidays, but unless you can catch them when they drive by it is best to call SSFS to ask who they are and how to mail them those cookies.
-Interesting fact: America's largest export is our recycled waste.
-In 2014 SSFS will be celebrating its 100th year of serving the area!
We also discussed:
-A potential mural project for Brisbane. On November 4th there will be an idea-gathering tour of the murals in the Mission District at 9am. Contact Lori with questions or if you're interested in going.
-A better way to manage the list of MOB members. Bonnie and DeeDee are working on ways to make that more secure and still useful for everyone.
I'm closing the MOB Election Survey this Sunday, so if you haven't had a chance to complete that, please do so.
There are new activities on the MOB calendar - please check the website for details. There was a lot going on at the meeting, so if I've missed anything please feel free to chime in!
Kristen Hayer