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Where and how to recycle
Topics: recycling, garbage, waste
Posted by admin Fri Jul 25, 2008 13:32:50 PDT
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Recycling household trash such as newspapers, cardboard, junk mail, cans, bottles and plastic containers can be done in several ways in Kern County. Curbside recycling is available in some areas of the county. In some cities, curbside collection of recyclables is part of the standard garbage service. In others, like Bakersfield, there’s an additional charge for curbside pickup. 

Recyclables can also be taken to community drop-off sites, located in church and school parking lots. Or, they can be redeemed for cash at one of the many recycling businesses around town that pay for materials such as metals, paper and beverage containers.

Curbside recycling

Bakersfield: A curbside recycling program is available to Bakersfield residents living in city and county areas for a fee. Those who sign up for the program receive a blue trash bin that is picked up every other week. Materials accepted include glass, aluminum, tin, steel, cardboard, paper, junk mail, newspapers, magazines, beverage containers and plastics No. 1 and No. 2. The rate for curbside recycling is $12 per quarter for city residents and for county residents living in the Bakersfield metro area.

To sign up for curbside recycling, call:
• City of Bakersfield Solid Waste Division, 326-3114
• Kern County Waste Management, 322-6863
Arvin, Delano and McFarland: Curbside recycling is part of the regular trash service.
Eastern Kern County (Tehachapi, Rosamond, Mojave, California City and unincorporated areas): Recyclables can be thrown out with regular trash. Recyclable material is sorted out after collection.
Western Kern County (Wasco, Shafter and unincorporated parts of western Kern County except metro Bakersfield): No curbside recycling is offered.

Drop-off locations

Recyclables can be taken to large recycling bins located at several churches, schools and parks throughout Kern County. These groups redeem the material and use the money for programs and projects. For drop-off locations in Bakersfield and around the county, see the accompanying map.

Materials accepted at most locations include:
• glass containers
• aluminum, tin, steel, bi-metal cans, aluminum foil and pie pans
• white paper, cardboard, magazines, newspaper, phone books, mixed paper, junk mail
• plastic (No. 1 and No. 2)

Recycling for cash

There’s money to be made by recycling. Numerous recycling centers throughout the county will pay cash for your cans, bottles, scrap metal, appliances and paper.
Beverage containers (bottles and cans): To find a location, call 1-800-RECYCLE or visit www.bottlesandcans.com and click “Where to Recycle.”

Scrap metal (ferrous and non-ferrous), paper and appliances: Refer to the Kern County Recycling Guide, found under “recycling” in the yellow pages of a local AT&T phone book, or on Kern County Waste Management’s Web site at www.co.kern.ca.us/wmd. The recycling guide contains names, addresses and phone numbers for local facilities that accept recyclable materials.

Special items

Household hazardous waste
The following items are accepted at Kern County Special Waste facilities, in Bakersfield at 4951 Standard St. , and at the Mojave Airport, 17035 Finnin St. The Bakersfield facility is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; the Mojave site is open 9 a.m. to noon the first Saturday of each month. To contact a facility, call 862-8922. They accept:
• automotive products
• batteries
• fluorescent light bulbs
• cleaning products, pool chemicals
• home generated “sharps” (injection needles)
• thermometers or other items containing mercury
• fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides
• paint and paint products
• televisions and computer monitors (19” or smaller)

Motor oil and oil filters
Accepted at many service stations, auto parts stores, recycling centers and most Kern County landfills. To locate a used oil collection center near you, visit www.ciwmb.ca.gov/UsedOil/Centers.

Appliances (large, nonworking)
• Golden State Metals, 2000 E. Brundage Lane, Bakersfield, 327-3559
• Kern County Waste Management Department Disposal Sites, 862-8900
• Sierra Metals, 1620 E. Brundage Lane, Bakersfield, 327-7073
• Midway Recycle/Western Scrap, 7200 Downing Ave., Bakersfield, 589-5712
• Appliances are accepted at all Kern County landfills and transfer stations. The county will also provide free curbside pickup of these items. Call 322-6863

Electronic waste
In general, this includes computer monitors and CPUs, laptops, computer accessories, televisions, answering machines, camcorders, CD and DVD players, copiers, electric typewriters, electronic games, fax machines, modems, pagers, printers, radios, remote controls, scanners, stereos, tape players, telephones, televisions, two-way radios, VCRs and word processors.
• Goodwill Industries (8 stores in Kern County)
• St. Vincent De Paul (3 stores in Kern County)
• Bakersfield Association for Retarded Citizens, 2240 S. Union Ave., Bakersfield, 397-3622
• Fortune Metals, 19421 Quinn Road, Bakersfield, 387-1100
• All Kern County landfills and transfer stations (see below), 862-8900
 

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