America Recycles Day: November 15

America Recycles Day: November 15
a program of Keep America Beautiful, is a nationally recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States.

Burbank Recycle Center

California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery
Where to Recycle, Schools & State Agencies, Resources

Federal Agencies: U.S. EPA
iWARM – Online tool calculates energy saved by recycling small quantities of household products
Resources for Teachers
Climate Change & Waste
Office of Solid Waste – What You Can Do In Your Community
Recycling Publications

Industry
The Aluminum Association
Recycling Facts for Kids, Curbside Recycling, Teacher Resources, Statistics
Batteries: Call2Recycle
Recycling at Home, Recycling at Work
Glass Packaging Institute
Recycling & the Environment, Community Recycling, Bar & Restaurant Recycling, Best Practices
Consumer Electronics Association’s Greener Gadgets
Responsible Electronics Recycling, Where to Recycle Electronics, Emerging Trends
American Forest & Paper Association
Workplace Recycling, School Recycling, Community Recycling, Paper and the Environment
Plastic
American Chemistry Council: Plastics Division
Plastics Recycling Rates, Plastic Bag Recycling
National Association for PET Container Resources
PET Recycling, FAQs, Fun Facts, Kids Corner
Steel Recycling Institute
Steel Recycling Rates, Buy Recycled, Steel Recycling Locator, Resources for Kids
Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries
Facts and Economic Data, Scrap Recycling Specifications, Policy Information

Garbage and Recycling
-Global Viewpoints Series
Garbage issues throughout the world.
Greenhaven Press, 2011

Christmas Trees: Real or Artificial

Buying Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees
earth911.com: 12.01.2011 by Lori Brown

The real versus artificial Christmas tree debate replays itself year after year. But the truth is, each option has its own place on the naughty-and-nice list.

Just a few short decades ago, displaying a Christmas tree in your living room really only yielded one option: a real pine or fir tree. That all changed when a U.S.-based toilet bowl brush manufacturer, the Addis Brush Company, created an artificial tree from brush bristles in the 1930s, acting as the prototype for modern artificial trees.

The Pros and Cons of Artificial Trees
Guilt. Many have made it the sole reason to invest in an artificial tree. The thought of cutting down a new tree each year can put a damper on the holidays for some.

Also, cost, convenience and environmental impact are other reasons consumers opt for an artificial tree.

Given the current economic climate, artificial trees may be especially appealing for their investment value when compared with the recurrent, annual expense of a real Christmas tree. Their convenience is also appealing to consumers as they don’t need watering, don’t leave pine needles all over the floor and transportation from tree farm to home isn’t an issue.

But many experts believe artificial trees actually have a greater negative environmental impact when all aspects of an their life cycle are considered.

Today’s artificial trees are typically manufactured with metal and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a non-biodegradable, petroleum-derived plastic. In addition, many older varieties may contain lead, used as a stabilizer in the manufacturing process.

Despite their PVC contents, artificial trees are non-recyclable and non-biodegradable, meaning they will sit in a landfill for centuries after disposal.

Furthermore, approximately 85 percent of artificial trees sold in the U.S. are imported from China, according to the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA), adding to their overall environmental footprint.

The Pros and Cons of Real Trees
Approximately 33 million real Christmas trees are sold in North America each year, according to the U.S. EPA. Luckily, about 93 percent of those trees are recycled through more than 4,000 available recycling programs.

Also known as “treecycling,” the act of *recycling a Christmas tree is a leading reason many experts agree they are more environmentally friendly than their plastic counterparts. READ MORE !

*Burbank Recycle Center – Christmas Tree Recycling
~ All tinsel, ornaments, metal stands, and plastic buckets must be removed
~ Flocked trees are NOT recycled

Recycle Trees 3 Ways !

1: Jan 2 – Jan 20, 2012 – At the curb or alley
~ place with waste containers on scheduled waste collection day

2: Dec 26, 2011 – Jan 20, 2012 – Drop off @ 2 parks
Brace Canyon Park, 2901 Haven Way [in parking lot off Haven Way]
Verdugo Park, 3201 W Verdugo Ave [near corner of California St & Verdugo Ave]

3: Cut up your tree
~ place it in the green waste containers with other yard trimmings

For more information: 818 . 238 . 3800

America Recycles Day: November 15

America Recycles Day: November 15

Since 1997, communities across the country have come together on November 15 to celebrate America Recycles Day. More than a celebration, America Recycles Day is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to the promotion of recycling in the United States. One day to educate and motivate. One day to get our neighbors, friends and community leaders excited about what can be accomplished when we all work together. One day to make recycling bigger and better 365 days a year. Get involved!

Burbank Recycle Center
500 South Flower Street
Burbank CA 91502
818-238-3900 M-F 8am-5pm
818-841-9700 Saturday 8am-4pm

Why Buy Recycled Products?
What Can Be Recycled?
Events
Bulky Item Pick Up
Christmas Tree Recycling
Composting Program
Graffiti Removal
Household Hazardous Waste
Learning Center
RV Dump Station
Waste Haulers
Waste Oil & Filter Recycling
Zero Waste Events

California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery
Where to Recycle, Schools & State Agencies, Resources

INDUSTRY
Batteries: Call2Recycle
Glass: Glass Packaging Institute
Paper: American Forest & Paper Association
Plastic:
American Chemistry Council
National Association for PET Container Resources
Steel:Steel Recycling Institute

COB: Recycle Your Holiday Tree

Recycle Your Holiday Tree

The Burbank Recycle Center will help you to recycle your holiday tree.

REMOVE: All tinsel, ornaments, metal stands, and plastic buckets ~ Because trees are mulched or composted. Flocked trees are not recycled !

Recycle Trees 3 Ways !

1) Dec 27 – Jan 14: drop off your holiday tree @ 2 Parks
(a) Brace Canyon Park, at 2850 Haven Way, in the parking lot off Haven Way
(b) Verdugo Park, 3201 W. Verdugo, near corner of California St & Verdugo Ave

2) Jan 3 – Jan 14: at the curb or in an alley
~ Burbank Sanitation will collect trees placed at curb or in an alley

3) Cut Up/Put In green waste containers with other yard trimmings

For more information, call Burbank Recycle Center: 818-238-3800

Burbank Recycle Center: Composting Workshops

Free Composting Workshops

Burbank Recycle Center announces 11 new free composting workshops to celebrate the City’s 20th anniversary of backyard composting. It's fun for the whole family and compost bins are free for residents.

Over the years more than 10,000 residents have taken this workshop to learn how to turn their leaves, grass and food scraps into rich chocolaty soil for their yards. Help Burbank become a truly sustainable city and achieve Zero Waste.

Choose from following dates - Call to RSVP: 818 . 238 . 3900

January 16, 10am Luther Middle School, 3700 W Jeffries
January 23, 10am Jefferson Elementary, 1900 N Sixth
January 30, 10am Stevenson Elementary, 3333 Oak
February 6, 10am T Roosevelt Elementary School, 850 N Cordova
February 20, 10am Muir Middle School, 1111 N Kenneth Road
February 27, 10am Brace Canyon Park, Picnic Area 2
~ 2901 Haven Way (above basketball court/parking lot)
March 13, 10am Burbank Adult School, 3811 W Allan
March 20, 10am McCambridge Park, Picnic Area 3
~ 1515 N Glenoaks (west of tennis courts)
April 17, 10am Community Services Building, 1st Floor, 150 N Third
April 17, 1pm Burbank Adult School, 3811 W Allan
May 1, 10am Location TBA

Workshops are 1 hour and 15 minutes
Dress warmly workshops are outside unless it rains - then moves indoors
Free delivery of bins offered for those who walk or bike (hint hint).
Please bring your own lawn chair if you can.
Zero Waste in effect: Please bring own mugs, warm refreshments will be served.

Spread the word to your Burbank neighbors, friends, family, places of worship, clubs, etc . . .

Finally, a recycled rubber tire rake will be given to one participant at each workshop so wear your warm lucky socks if you want to be the only one on your block to own such a unique, locally made tool.

Burbank deserves more. Compost !

Christmas Tree Pickup

Dates Set for Christmas Tree Pickup: Trash collectors will pick them up before 7 a.m. daily for the first two weeks of ’10. Glendale News Press: December 28, 2009 by Max Zimbert

As Christmas gives way to the new year and households start packing up their decorations, city officials have announced a number of recycling programs for that withering tree in the living room.

Burbank and Glendale trash collectors will pick up Christmas trees before 7 a.m. off the curb for the first two weeks of 2010, officials said.

Brace Canyon and Verdugo parks in Burbank have also been designated as recycling pick-up centers.

Trees taller than 8 feet must be cut in half, and officials said all drop-offs should be without ornaments and decorations.

Burbank picks up about 70 tons’ worth of Christmas trees every year. About one-third of the trees are chopped into mulch that’s spread around city property.

The city recycles wrapping paper as well, which can go in the usual blue bins. “We take clean dry paper of all types — cardboard, wrapping paper, magazines,” Hampel said. “The main thing for people to remember is clean, dry paper can be recycled.”

Glendale officials picked up more than 8,500 trees last year, but numbers have declined in recent years. READ MORE !

Donate Dishes for Zero Waste

Donate Dishes for Zero Waste !

Unwanted, mismatched coffee mugs, plates, bowls, cups or utensils ?

Put them back to work. The Burbank Recycle Center and the Burbank Green Alliance wants them. The Recycle Center will take all those unwanted dishes and utensils for a new life in upcoming Zero Waste workshops or events.

Drop off donations at the Recycle Center during the month of June.
For more information, call or email:
818 . 238 . 3900
Zero Waste