Zero Waste through the Pandemic: Recyclables, Compost, and More
Tips for Handling Our Recyclables, Compost, and More
By Sloane Pagal, Zero Waste Program Manager
During these challenging times, while most people are working from home, sanitation workers are still out in the field providing essential services such as garbage, recycling, and organics pick-up. All curbside collection services in Sonoma County continue to operate normally, although temporary routing changes may result in drivers arriving earlier or later than usual.
Zero Waste Sonoma staff have compiled a list of suggestions for residents to do their part to minimize disease transmission while maintaining a small waste footprint.
Hold Off On Spring Cleaning
Although many residents are using this extra time at home to clean house, please wait to dispose or donate items until normal business operations resume.
You may prepare and organize your things, but going to the Household Hazardous Waste facility or donation stores is not essential and would violate the shelter in place mandate. Items that have been in your home for this long can stay there for a couple more months.
Please remember that batteries, paint, fluorescent lightbulbs, medication, motor oil, and other household hazardous waste (HHW) products require special treatment and are illegal to discard in the garbage.
For more information, visit our website to learn how and where to properly dispose of these and other materials. Residents may request an oil filter drainer and oil rag to be delivered to their doorstep by calling the Eco-Desk at (707) 565-3375.
In addition, curbside oil pick-up remains available through all waste haulers.
TENTATIVE EVENTS: https://zerowastesonoma.gov/calendar
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Events
• June 9, 2020 in Healdsburg
• June 16, 2020 in Santa Rosa, W
• June 23, 2020, in Bodega Bay, 4 - 8pm Tues - ThursBy appointment only call(707) 795-2025/toll-free(877) 747-1870 option 3.EMAIL: TOXICSDISPOSAL@CLEANHARBORS.COM Please provide the following information when calling or sending an e-mail: name, phone number, date and location of collection event, and preferred appointment time. Appointment line staffed M-F from 8am to 2:30pm or leave a message. Please make an appointment at least 24 hours prior to the collection event. Once the appointment request is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation with the address of the collection event.Events have a limit of 80 appointments.
* June 26 - 27, 2020 in Sea Ranch, 9am - 1 pm @39225 CA 1, Gualala INFO: 707-468-9710 HAZMobile events are FREE for residents. Small, qualifying businesses may make an appointment and pay a disposal fess. https://mendorecycle.org/HazardousWaste/HHWDropoffFacilities
• June 30, 2020 in Rohnert Park, 4 - 8 pm Tues - Thurs.By appointment only call (707) 795-2025/toll-free (877) 747-1870 option 3.EMAIL: TOXICSDISPOSAL@CLEANHARBORS.COM Please provide the following information when calling or sending an e-mail: name, phone number, date and location of collection event, and preferred appointment time. Appointment line staffed M-F from 8am to 2:30pm or leave a message. Please make an appointment at least 24 hours prior to the collection event. Once the appointment request is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation with the address of the collection event. Events have a limit of 80 appointments.
HHW Facility for Residents is open during regular hours on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
Mattress Recycling Events • July 11, 2020 in Petaluma
E-waste Recycling Events • July 10-12, 2020 in Petaluma
(You Can Still) Avoid Single-Use Items
Sonoma County and many other cities throughout California have longstanding bans on single-use plastic bags, but some local governments are suspending these bans in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. Although there is little evidence that reusable bags are contributing to the spread of the novel coronavirus, most grocery stores now only permit customers to use single-use plastic or paper bags.
However, you can still use reusable bags; just leave them in your vehicle, or if you don’t drive to the store, keep them in a backpack or handbag, and ask the bagger to place groceries directly into the cart at checkout. When you exit the store, transfer items from the cart into your bags. As an extra precaution, wash your bags between uses.
Similarly, if you decide to order food and beverages for pickup or delivery, remember to refuse single-use utensils, straws, and condiments and use what you have at home instead.
Prepare Your Produce
It is important, now more than ever, that we thoroughly wash our hands with soap and water before handling any food. Remember to also rinse fresh fruits and veggies before eating them, but do not use soap to wash produce as it can cause stomachaches.