Plastic bags -- should they be banned?

This week, the City Council’s Community and Economic Development Committee met to discuss a ban on plastic and paper bags. According to a Mercury News article on the issue, the only large city that has implemented a ban like this is San Francisco, as most cities which have implemented bans have banned only the plastic bags. The effort in San Jose is being spearheaded by Vice Mayor Judy Chirco and Councilmembers Sam Liccardo, Kansen Chu, and Nora Campos.

According to a presentation given at the committee meeting, fifteen other Santa Clara County cities are considering banning bags because of encouragement from the County Board of Supervisors and environmental agencies.

The City of San José’s proposed ban also includes paper bags because of the environmental impact involved in manufacturing them. “Green” paper bags, with at least 50% recycled content, would be excluded from the ban.  Restaurants would also not be required to discontinue usage of plastic bags.

Not surprisingly, the plastic industry lobby has already been urging the Council not to be hasty in making their decision. Nevertheless, the matter is heading for vote and discussion by the Council as soon as November, thanks to a unanimous recommendation by the committee.

Free electronic waste drop off fundraiser this Saturday, May 2nd from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Drop off unwanted electronic waste (computers, monitors, laptops, TVs, printers, fax machines, cell phones, e-scrap, aluminum cans, bottles, and more).

West Valley Presbyterian Church
6191 Bollinger Road
Cupertino, 95014

Recycling service provided by:
GreenMouse Recycling
408-464-9999

Photo by Bert van Dijk, http://flickr.com/photos/zilpho/

This Saturday, pick up some free coffee and save the environment at the same time.

The Phi Mu chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon will be coordinating a free e-waste recycle day as a fundraiser for the organization, SJSU’s music fraternity.

Green Mouse Recycling is making this happen at its Santa Clara headquarters, and here’s a list of things you can bring to the event:

• Computers/Laptops/Servers
• Televisions/Monitors
• DVD/CD Players
• Fax Machines/Printers
• Wire/Cabling/Printed Circuit Boards
• Aluminum/Scrap Metal/Plastic Products
• Microwave Ovens

Details:

Saturday, December 13th
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

292 Brokaw Road
Santa Clara, 95050

There will be a free electronics recycling event this weekend at two PW Markets locations in San Jose.

Equipment accepted includes TVs, monitors, computer systems & components, printers, ink cartridges, copy/fax machines, scanners, phones, batteries, digital devices. Call the number below for a full list of accepted items.

Portions of the proceeds from this event will benefit veterans.

For more information, contact Hi-Tec Recycling 1-800-981-9019

PW Markets featuring this event:
1665 Foxworthy Ave. at Meridian, San Jose
5205 Prospect Rd at Saratoga, San Jose

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Free event

The Northside Neighborhood Association will host its annual flea market in Backesto Park this Saturday, August 2. Backesto Park is located at the corner of 13th and Jackson Streets just northeast of downtown. In past years, the Northiside flea has kept the spirit of a classic flea market or community yard sale, featuring mostly used and recycled goods, not cut-rate new stuff.

The market is open from 8 to 4 and admission is free for shoppers. Proceeds from the vendors’ fees benefit the Northside Neighborhood Association, San Jose’s oldest neighborhood association.

Drop off your old, unwanted or obsolete computers, monitors, TVs, cell phones, keyboards, mice, cabling, and more this weekend.

Saturday, May 3
Woodland Meadow
1600 Whitewood Drive, San Jose
11:00 – 2:00

Sunday, May 4
West Valley Presbyterian Church
6191 Bollinger Road, Cupertino
11:30 – 2:30

Free events

For more info or other options: GreenMouse (eWaste Services) 408.464.9999

As we switch to new energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) or known by many as the twisty bulb, we need to be concerned about disposing of them properly when they no longer work or break.

Florescent bulbs contain dangerous levels of mercury and should not be thrown away. In 2006, the state of California banned hazardous wastes, including fluorescent lamps, from disposal in the trash.

All fluorescent lamps and tubes are considered hazardous waste in California and must be recycled – taken to a household hazardous waste disposal facility, or an authorized recycling facility.

Santa Clara County retailers, including OSH and Ace Hardware, are accepting the fluorescent bulbs to recycle free of charge. Check this list of free fluorescent drop-off locations. (PDF)

Broken incandescent bulbs need to be handled with care as the contain mercury. Do not vacuum; wear protective gloves to pick up the broken pieces and use duct tape to pick up small pieces. Place all pieces along with cleaning materials into a sealable plastic bag and recycle along with intact lamps as noted above.

Drop off your old, unwanted or obsolete computers, monitors, TVs, cell phones, keyboards, mice, cabling, and more this Sunday, December 16.

eWaste Services, which collects unwanted electronics from both businesses and individuals, delivers them to state-authorized recyclers that must adhere to stringent rules regarding the processing and recycling of e-waste materials.

Brookside Swim & Racket
19127 Cox Avenue, Saratoga
Sunday, December 16th
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Free event

For more information: 408-464-9999

This Saturday bring in your old electronic devices (computers, TVs, printers, copy & fax machines, telephones – including wireless, etc.) and help the Children’s Musical Theater San Jose.

Funds raised from your recycled electronics will be used to support Honors Night, which is an annual tribute to Children’s Musical Theater performers of the past and recognition of inspirational performers of today.

This is a free electronics-recycling event.

1401 Parkmoor Ave, San Jose
Saturday, November 17
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

For more info about the recycling benefit: 408.464.9999

To learn more about the Children’s Musical Theater San Jose check here.

You have that old TV sitting in the garage collecting dust along with that old computer and monitor that now make great doorstops in addition to a number of other electronic equipment that have seen better days. Dumping these items into your trash bin is not a good thing to do as they contain toxic substances. So, what do you do? Call eWaste Services 464-9999.

eWaste Services will pick-up televisions, computers, microwave ovens, telephones, and most electronic devices throughout Santa Clara County free of charge; however, they will charge to collect and recycle oversized TVs (50″ plus).

They do have a drop-off location that is by appointment only located at 292 Brokaw Road, Santa Clara. However, this Saturday (10/13) they will be open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. without appointment for those who would like to drop off their e-waste items.

eWaste Services, which collects unwanted electronics from both businesses and individuals, delivers them to state-authorized recyclers that must adhere to stringent rules regarding the processing and recycling of e-waste materials.

For more information including items that they collect, collection times, and other services, check here.