Due to the current COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic circumstances, Waste Management closed all Southern California customer service call centers effective March 17, 2020. Waste Management was already in the process of setting-up their customer service representatives remotely with laptops to accommodate the six feet for social distancing. However, the decision to close came before the transition was complete. This means for approximately the next three days, customers will receive a generic recording when calling 714-558-7761. Please contact your City Recycling Coordinator if you need immediate assistance.
If you live in Orange Park Acres, Modjeska, Silverado Canyon, Lemon Heights, North Tustin, Cowen Heights, Emerald Bay, Coto de Caza, Trabucco Canyon, Ladera Ranch or Las Flores, please call 714-834-4000 to speak with an OC Waste & Recycling representative.
We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding and patience.
OC Waste & Recycling’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers (HHWCCs) will remain in operation for drop-off only of household hazardous waste. The Materials Exchange Programs, located at the HHWCCs, will be temporarily closed until further notice to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
For questions about this program or the household hazardous waste collection centers, please call 714-834-4000 and follow us on social @OCWaste.
As the concern about the COVID-19 outbreak spreads, additional guidance is being released by federal and local health authorities.
While all landfill operations continue uninterrupted, following all safety and health guidelines, OCWR is taking precautions in other areas of our department to keep employees healthy and help prevent illness in our workplace and the community.
Among precautionary measures at this time:
All landfill tours are cancelled through April and no new tour reservations are being accepted for the time being.
No new Speakers Bureau engagements are being accepted for the time being.
We are moving as many meetings as possible to tele-conference mode.
We are monitoring the impacts of the situation and will adjust accordingly. If spring and summer public events have to be cancelled, we will post notifications on the OCWR home page and via social media.
In honor of National Pack Your Lunch Day on March 10, OC Waste & Recycling would like to encourage you to be an environmental steward by packing a zero waste lunch. Using reusable containers and making your own condiments are just a few ways to help reduce waste. For more lunch packing tips, click HERE!
Many large-scale recycling facilities across the country have been impacted by global factors tied to contamination issues and exportation of recyclable products overseas (mostly plastic and paper). At the same time, market values for recyclable commodities have plunged, contributing to the closure of many California beverage container recycling centers. The largest beverage container recycling in California, a company called RePlanet, closed all 281 of its locations in August 2019, leaving fewer redemption centers for Orange County residents.
The good news is, there are still more than 1,200 certified recycling centers statewide (65 in Orange County alone), and in areas where there are no recycling centers, obligated beverage retailers may redeem your empty California Refund Value beverage containers in-store. Additionally, you can still recycle your beverage containers by putting them in your curbside bins or dwelling complex carts to ensure these products stay out of the landfills and preserve the environment.
Other helpful resources include: • OCRecycleGuide.com -- an A to Z list of recycling centers throughout Orange County, CA. • Earth911.com -- a searchable list of recycling centers as well as other environmentally friendly tips • Your local city recycling coordinator – check to see if your city is offering any type of mobile redemption or other program • Your city waste hauler – check to see if they are aware of available redemption programs or offer pick up/drop off services
The Beverage Container Recycling Program is a state program run by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). Since the law’s passage in 1986, Californians have recycled more than 400 billion bottles and cans. The state’s beverage container recycling rate increased from 52 percent in 1988 to its current rate of 76 percent. Californians recycled 18.5 billion of the 24 billion CRV beverage containers they purchased in 2018. The state is on track to match that recycling volume in 2019.
In 2019, Governor Newson signed an urgent measure (AB54) to provide access to more recycling options due to these large-scale closures statewide. This allows cities, non-profits and businesses to apply for pilot program grants to increase recycling for redemption in local communities. More recently, CalRecycle approved two new pilot projects as it explores new models to boost consumer access to cash redemption of bottles and cans and to provide some much-needed resources for areas hardest hit by recent closures. For more information or to contact CalRecycle, visit here.
Looking for a fun activity to do with the kids? OC Waste & Recycling has teamed up with Discovery Cube OC to help promote the importance of recycling right. Take the EcoChallenge by downloading our activity book filled with pages to color, tips on recycling and much more. You can even score a free child’s admission coupon to the Discovery Cube! Click HERE for a printable version of the book.
Happy National Battery Day! Did you know batteries contain chemicals that are hazardous to the environment and can potentially cause fires when thrown in the trash? Because of these factors, proper disposal of batteries is imperative. Why not celebrate National Battery Day by visiting one of the County’s Household Hazardous Waste Centers and pick up a FREE battery bucket. Click HERE for locations.
Check out this video of Wild Wing talking talk trash on safe battery disposal.
Love is in the air and giving your loved one an eco-friendly Valentine’s Day gift is a great way to show them you care, while also caring about the earth. Earth911 has provided some great tips on how to be environmentally conscious on this special day. Their ideas range from eating at a locavore restaurant to making gifts out of upcycled materials. For more information, follow this LINK!
Sunday is National Pizza Day, a day worthy of celebration! Did you know most of the pizza box can be recycled? Simply discard any leftover food and tear off any heavily greased cardboard before placing it in your recycle bin. You may not be able to recycle the whole box, but every bit counts as we work together to Recycle Right. Let’s love the earth as much as we love pizza!
Check out this article for different businesses offering pizza discounts this Sunday.
Wild Wing of the Anaheim Ducks is back “Talking Trash” and wants to educate you on the benefits of composting. Did you know composting organic waste can reduce trash disposal by 35 percent and improves the water capacity of soil, which can help you save money on your water bill? Composting also helps produce nutrient rich soil, which feeds grass and plants. By composting your organic waste such as fruits, vegetables and even paper, you can keep unnecessary waste out of the landfills and help preserve our finite resource. Check out Wild Wing’s latest video for more information.
