OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) is hosting a one-day collection event for OC Residents to dispose of marine flares free of charge. Unexploded, expired flares create health and safety hazards. Boat owners are encouraged to participate in this essential public service event to safely dispose of these items.
Signal devices, including marine flares and smoke signals are considered explosives and can be difficult to properly dispose of. OC residents and boaters are welcome to take advantage of this limited opportunity. Here is what you need to do:
Participants will need to transport expired flares in the trunk of their car.
Upon arrival to the drive-through event, staff will collect items directly from vehicles and safely store them for disposal.
Walk-ups are also welcome to the disposal area near the restrooms at the marina.
No military grade flares or other hazardous waste will be accepted.
Covering your load when driving to OC Landfills is more than a good habit; it’s the law.
In celebration of Cover Your Load Day, June 6, OC Waste & Recycling reminds the public of this important practice. Residents and commercial haulers transporting waste to any of OC’s three active landfills are required by California law to cover their loads. These vital measures uphold the safety of drivers and other vehicles sharing the road. It takes more than tie straps, it takes covering and securing items in truck beds.
“We see some great examples of covered loads coming into the landfill, where the driver really took time to do the job right,” said Isaac Novella, manager of Landfill Administration, Central Region. “This is a practice haulers need to do every time they head out to dispose of waste – no matter the size of their load.”
Any size load can shift during transportation and debris can become loose and fly out, potentially causing accidents. Covering your load is required when traveling on a street and will be enforced by law with potential for citation if not followed.
Looking for tips on how to cover your load?
Tie-down and secure large items when transporting.
Make sure that any covering is tied down and can’t shift, catch the wind or pop out.
Place lighter items underneath heavier items to help keep them in place.
Balance the weight to make it even; avoid being top heavy.
Make sure your truck or trailer bed does not have a hole or tear where debris can escape.
Remove any loose material that may remain in the trailer or truck bed before leaving the landfill.
The County of Orange operates three active landfills. Olinda Alpha landfill in Brea and Prima Deshecha landfill in San Juan Capistrano are open to commercial and residential business, while the third active landfill, Frank R. Bowerman in Irvine, is open only for commercial haulers. Vehicle Code Sections 23114 and 23115 require all residents and commercial haulers to cover their load.
OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) announces a Compost Giveaway at Frank R. Bowerman (FRB) Landfill. Pick up FREE compost at 11002 Bee Canyon Access Road in Irvine on Saturday, May 21, 2022, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. while supplies last. The self-haul event by OCWR offers the compost free of charge and ready to use. Residents need to bring a shovel to load the compost in their own reusable containers or heavy-duty yard waste bags. Staff will be on-site to assist.
Free to Orange County residents only, each household will be limited to 60 gallons on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last. The compost is ready to lay over soil as a covering in gardens.
OCWR creates quality compost material from green waste collected from homes across Orange County. The compost is a full-circle product that begins in the yard waste bin and transforms into nutrient-rich soil amendment to retain moisture in the soil, suppress weed growth and helps by providing macro and micronutrients for healthier plant growth.
“As we prepare for the future of organics recycling, we are dedicated to educating the County’s residents on the importance of composting,” said Tom Koutroulis, director, OC Waste & Recycling. “The use of compost to help create healthy soils, prevents the green waste from being buried at the landfill. Our compost giveaway helps build awareness and puts the organic material back into the communities.”
OCWR serves the County’s solid waste disposal needs by providing waste management services, operating public landfills, protecting the local environment, investing in renewable energy enterprises and promoting recycling in order to ensure a safe and healthy community for current and future generations. The department manages one of the nation's premier solid waste disposal systems, serving residents and businesses in the County’s 34 cities and unincorporated areas. OCWR’s three active landfills reflect environmental engineering at its best. Learn more by visiting the OCWR website at OCLandfills.com.
In celebration of Earth Month,OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR), OC Public Libraries (OCPL) and Discovery Cube OC (DCOC) teamed up for County-wide Earth Day events to educate residents on the fun and squirmy side of caring for the environment. Festivities, both in person and virtual, span the month of April featuring online activities, eco-focused events at select libraries, weekend celebrations at Discovery Cube OC and the new presentation, “Gettin’ Wiggly with Composting.”
Earth Day, celebrated April 22, creates a space for environmental outreach and education. In-person festivities includecommunity events at libraries throughout Orange County April 19-21, and three days of fun at Discovery Cube OC April 22-24 (event details below). Alllibrary branches will offer OCWR Earth Day Kits in April while supplies last, and OC Waste and Recycling will host a social media contest that kicks off April 5 and culminates on Earth Day with contest winners receiving family four packs of tickets to the Cube.
Westminster Branch, April 21, 5-6:30 p.m.; 8180 13th Street, Westminster
Evenings will include green storytimes by OCPL librarians and“Gettin’ Wiggly with Composting” presentations from Discovery Cube OC educators. The wiggly worm presentation willfeature up-close looks at live worms and how they support composting. Library events will close with a “Worms in Dirt” tasty treat provided by OCPL’s Charlie Cart/Food Literacy committee and attendees will leave with OCWR Earth Day Kits that include bookmarks featuring eco-friendly book lists, EcoChallenge Activity Books, rulers and free child admission coupons to DCOC. OC Public Libraries will also be offering several virtual and additional in-person activities, including Earth Day-themed storytimes in multiple languages, programs and a video version of “Gettin’ Wiggly with Composting.” Virtual and in-person details available on ocpl.org/earthday. Click the following for the event flyer.
Earth Month @ Discovery Cube OC
Explore the new Organic Waste Compost Lab to learn about the magic of composting and get an up-close look at over 5,000 red wiggler worms
Pick up an Eco Challenge Compost Activity Booklet
Visit the Cube Earth Day Weekend April 22-24 featuring extra activities, daily programming and special vendor tables, exhibits and giveaways
To enter to win a family four-pack of tickets to Discovery Cube Orange County, residents are invited to pledge to recycle on OCWR's Facebook or Instagram pages. To enter, "like" the dedicated contest post and tag a friend in the comments. Winners will be chosen at random (while supplies last) and will be announced on Earth Day, April 22. To enter, follow OCWR on social media @ocwaste.
Discovery Cube Orange County is home to the new Organic Waste Lab, an interactive exhibit that demonstrates the magic of composting and recycling organic waste. The exhibit features the red wiggler worm station, a waste decomposition wall, and the interactive World of Organic Waste competition station. Enter to win your family four pack of tickets!
“Our community partnerships are key to educating the County's youngest participants about the importance of recycling and composting,” said Tom Koutroulis, director, OC Waste & Recycling. “OCWR,OCPL and Discovery Cube are uniquely positioned to provide our residents with the resources that inspire the next generation to create a lasting impact for the future."
Looking to learn more about composting ? Composting benefits gardens and landscapes, and on a broader level, helps reduce methane gases for a healthier environment. With more than half the space of California landfills filled with organics like food scraps, yard trimmings, paper, and cardboard, consider taking a closer look at composting and start a new habit at home.
How Does Composting Help the Environment?
Composting reduces the need for commercial soil and fertilizers and adds nutrients and beneficial microbes to your garden. Compost retains a large volume of water, helping prevent erosion, reducing run off and promoting vegetation. With the onset of SB 1383, separating food from the main waste stream is now law. Composting could be a great fit for forming new practices under SB 1383, not only nurturing your home garden but, helping the environment. For tips on Mulch Products, click here.
How Do I Compost?
Select a composting bin. Check online options (and read the reviews) to see what compost bin is best for you. For homemade options, check out this great article by Earth 911.
Use brown and green organics. Organics like leaves are considered “brown” while organics like leftover vegetables are considered “green.” Make sure your compost has equal parts of each, and break or chop both into one inch or less before placing them into a composter.
Test the wetness. Compost piles should be around 40 – 60% water. A good test: Put on a pair of gloves and squeeze the pile. If water gushes out, it’s too wet. If you can’t squeeze any water out, it’s too dry. Aim for the consistency of a wrung-out sponge.
Turn the compost regularly. Every week or so, turn or stir the pile and remember to keep filling it with equal parts brown and green material. You want to feel heat coming from the pile!
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The hustle and bustle of the holiday season will likely leave you with items for recycling or in need of proper disposal. Before tossing items in the waste bin, consider reducing, reusing, or recycling, and be sure you're practicing proper disposal.
Holiday trees can often be collected along with regular waste during a designated timeframe. Details and restrictions may vary from area to area, to learn about your local tree pick-up options contact your local hauler. Bulky item pick-up for larger items like appliances can also be an option depending on your hauler. For information about local haulers click here.
If the holidays are leaving you with excess old batteries, don't aim for the waste bin! Batteries large and small should be taken to your local Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center (HHWCC). The same applies to cleaning products and paint. For more information about HHWCCs located in Huntington Beach, Irvine, Anaheim, and San Juan Capistrano click here.
Donating clothing and furniture to neighbors or local donation centers is always a great option to reuse and recycle. And before purchasing all those gifts on your list, consider repurposing an item from home. When planning for meals, avoid overbuying food for holiday gatherings. Have a safe and happy holiday!
