Recology Clarifies

Comment posted by Recology general manager Chris Porter: "RECOLOGY OF THE COAST tends to focus on what items we do take versus what items we don't take in our flyers. All items you have a concern about are mentioned in our very informational RECYCLOPEDIA that will be part of a larger brochure we are currently working on that will be titled the RECOLOGY OF THE COAST ANNUAL CALENDAR, SERVICE BROCHURE, AND RECYCLOPEDIA. This booklet will cover all aspects of the operation, such as recycling yard, debris boxes, office operation, and all recycling and composting programs. Two company reps will be at the EARTH DAY and POOCH PARK festivities to pass out literature and answer questions. We have had two flyers mailed, one delivered with the toters, articles in the TRIB, info on the RIPTIDE and FIX PACIFICA blogs, and we are working on a video segment with Channel 26, so we are trying to use all venues available for communication with our customers. Finally, all customers will receive a card in the mail in the next few months allowing them to select the size of garbage cart they will need, either 20, 32, 48, or 64 gallons. These carts will be delivered in August, so until then our customers should continue to use their current garbage can. The new programs begin on the week of May 3 and GARBAGE, RECYCLING, AND GREENWASTE/ORGANICS ARE STILL PICKED UP ON THE SAME DAY, WITH THE ONLY CHANGE BEING THAT GREENWASTE/ORGANICS ARE PICKED UP EVERY WEEK AND RECYCLING EVERY OTHER WEEK."

Comments

[Dan]

"am wondering if the sanitation guys will take the time to undo the straps."

They have always undone bungees or straps on my garbage can. I would be very surprised at any change to that policy.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Same here, Dan. I strap on a bungee cord in a way that is easy for the trash collectors to undo. The one time I forgot to fasten the bungee, raccoons snapped the trash can lid off and feasted on the chicken bones inside. They have very good noses and big appetites. Everyone, be sure to keep a bungee strapped across your new Recology rollers, or you will find a big mess outside in the morning.

[Peter Loeb]

Chris says my neighbors will get totes today. Also, she says her correct email is [email protected]. I just tested it and it works.

[Karen Rosenstein]

Peter: Glad to hear that your neighbors will be having your trash picked up after all next month! :)

Chris: I took a look at various solutions posted online for dealing with raccoons and garbage cans. They seem to fall into one of two categories:

Use a bungee/special strap/bricks with strap.

or

Chemical -- either ammonia or various hot-pepper recipes.

Does Recology have any suggestions for what they would prefer us to use?

Personally, I lean toward one of the straps/bungees but am wondering if the sanitation guys will take the time to undo the straps.

Thanks!

Karen

[Chris Porter]

The few residential homes in West Rockaway Beach need to be delivered in a pickup truck because the large trailers could not maneuver in that area. The remainder of the carts will be delivered today. To e-mail me, please use [email protected].

[Matthew Levie]

You can attach a bungee cord to the handle on the front of the can and the hinge on the back of the lid.

Don't drill holes in the can, that will just allow the smell to get out and attract critters.

[Peter Loeb]

As soon as Chris saw my post on Riptide, the totes magically arrived at my door. She knows where I live. :) But my next-door neighbor and the West Rockaway neighborhood still don't have them. I'll call her in the morning. Meanwhile, Chris, your email address doesn't work. Mail bounces back.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I've been telling Chris the same thing for the past two weeks about her new email address. I am still using the old one to communicate with her: [email protected]

[Lionel Emde]

What exactly do you peons want for the highest garbage collection rates in the county?

Let them (the raccoons) eat garbage!
-Marie Dumpsterette

[Bruce Hotchkiss]

Okay, maybe I've been too grumpy lately. I am in favor of recycling and I know we'll all adapt. Change is often tough and confusing.

[Karen Rosenstein]

Peter,

In East Rockaway we received our two cans at least a week ago. I guess Recology forgot that there are residents living in West Rockaway.

Karen

[Peter Loeb]

I haven't received the new carts yet. Has everybody else? Do I need to call Recology or should I expect some carts soon?

I'm still putting out my recyclables in the old 3 bins. Are my recyclables all going together in the truck so there's no point in separating them in the bins anymore?

I put my garbage in plastic bags. Will they still collect the garbage that way if I don't have the new cart or do I have to use paper bags in my old garbage can?

[jim alex]

Or you can drill a couple of holes in the can and put an eye screw and attach a bungy cord across the can!!!

[jim alex]

You have to put something heavy like bricks or tie two or three bricks together and put them on the can.

[Matthew Levie]

I'm hoping those big containers are really hard for a raccoon to knock over or climb up on. To be sure, you could run a bungee cord over the top of the container. Just make sure to remove it before collection, ideally the morning of rather than the night before.

Rinsing the organic waste container periodically is probably a good idea as well.

[Chris Porter General Manager Recology of the Coast]

Recology of the Coast is working with the community to iron out any wrinkles in the cart delivery. We will have smaller carts available June 1. We are asking our customers to work with the carts they have received and if after 30 days the carts still do not meet their needs, an exchange can be facilitated by calling our offices at 650-355-9000 or emailing me at [email protected]. The carts have very sturdy lids and are constructed to make tipping over difficult.
Food waste can be put into brown paper bags, but plastic bags cannot be used in the greenwaste/organics cart. Notices will be mailed later this summer for your choice of a new wheeled garbage can.
The sizes available will be 20, 32, 48 or 64 gallons. A reminder to all customers: The new programs begin the WEEK OF MAY 3 ON YOUR REGULAR GARBAGE PICKUP DAY. The 64-gallon greenwaste/organics toter will then begin WEEKLY pickup along with your regular garbage can. The 96-gallon recycling toter will then be picked up EVERY OTHER WEEK with your other two containers. Don't know what week to put out your recycling? Use your old greenwaste schedule to pinpoint which week is now recycling pickup or check our website at http://www.recologyofthecoast.com for a very user-friendly calendar and street listing schedule. The April 28 edition of the Pacifica Tribune will feature a full-page ad listing all the Pacifica streets and providing calendars from May through July 2010, showing exact pickup dates. If you still have a question, please call me or email me directly at [email protected]

[Bruce Hotchkiss]

I too am confused and concerned about the new containers. There are two containers: one for recycling and one for composting. Not only are there no latches on the containers (hey, if a f**king raccoon can tear shingles off my roof, I think it might be able to get into the trash can), but when I asked how I'm supposed to get the wet compostables to the container (remember, no plastic bags), I was told to put the garbage in a gallon ZipLoc bag, put it in the freezer, and then dump it into the container. Personally, I do not keep garbage in my freezer.

But wait a minute, what do I do with stuff that is not recyclable or compostable? Where does that go?

I wonder what Recology would do if I install latches on both containers?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Rosita Road raccoons are very adept at undoing trashcan lids, so these new fliptop Recology rollers are going to be a walk in the park. Result: REEK-ology.

[Laurie Cummins]

I applaud John Maybury's April 9, 2010 remarks re: the Recology info campaign lacking clarity on some points, and I applaud Recology general manager Chris Porter's follow-up response, "Recology Clarifies."
But certain other crucial points raise public health & safety issues that need to be addressed ASAP:

1. All containers need tops that snap shut/lock tight,
because Pacifica has many nighttime animals that will open these lift-lids to forage through & scatter food/garbage.

2. Without being able to contain our food garbage in tied-up bags, as well as no snap-locks, these outdoor containers can become wonderful, filthy breeding boxes for germs and rodents.

3. The mass delivery of huge blue containers was not wise, rather than first giving us container-size options. Now so many of us have to return the giant blue "Recycle" ones that we don't have room for, and yet have no idea what we can use in the Interim before we receive new sizes--by August?!
Or is the size option only for "garbage" containers??

Hope for answers real soon, mailed to our homes.
Thanks for the forum, John.