Got Your Reusable Bags?

Single-Use Bag Ordinance Goes Into Effect June 20

Starting June 20, 2012 groceries, convenience and liquor stores, large drug stores and other retail stores will no longer be allowed to provide single-use plastic carryout bags at checkout. Retailers may provide customers with paper bags made with at least 40 percent post-consumer recycled content paper but must charge 10 cents for each bag (which the stores can retain). The ordinance will take effect in two phases; Phase 1 on June 20, 2012 for groceries and larger stores and Phase 2 in March 2013 for all other stores.

Here are some tips to help you remember your reusable bags:

In early June, City staff will be out at the larger stores talking to residents and providing reusable bags and window decals. More information for both retailers and residents can be found at Bringyourbags.insunnyvale.com.

Sunnyvale Businesses Comply with New Mandatory Commercial Recycling Law by Way of SMaRT Station Usage

California has a new mandatory commercial recycling law that takes effect July 1, 2012. The law requires all California businesses that generate four or more cubic yards of solid waste a week to have recycling collection set up unless they participate in a program where waste is sorted at a materials recovery facility (MRF) to remove recyclables.    

Fortunately the Sunnyvale Materials Recovery and Transfer Station (SMaRT Station®) is such a MRF. All garbage from the commercial and residential sector is collected and transported to the SMaRT Station where it is manually and mechanically sorted to remove up to 25 percent of the recyclables in the waste stream.

Businesses interested in recycling additional materials can participate in the City's no-charge cardboard recycling service through the contracted recycling hauler, Specialty. (Note: a nominal monthly bin rental fee is charged and a minimum of at least 200 pounds a week is required to start service.) To request service, call (408) 730-7681. Private recyclers can pick up additional source separated recyclables. For a list of local providers, go to Recycling.inSunnyvale.com and click on the A-Z Recycling link.

Greenlight Earth Day Film Festival Contest

GREENLIGHT's Earth Day Film Festival is searching for video artists to feature at their Earth Day Event. Film submissions should show that you "reel(ize) your connection" to the environment, understand how individual actions have an impact on the environment and champion environmental citizenship.

The deadline for entries is March 24. Visit the Greenlight Earth Day Film Festival for details on how to enter. Separate entry brackets are setup for grades 6-8 and grades 9-12. There is also an open entry category for everyone else!

Compost Workshop 

March 10

April 14

Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Events

February 18

March 17

April 21

Paper-shredding Event

April 28