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SJ expands citywide recycling program
Indoor and outdoor cans were designed especially for city
By Chantal Lamers
San Joseans will find it easier to recycle around town soon, thanks to the expansion of the city's Public Area Recycling Program. The program funds recycling bins for indoor public areas, neighborhoods and regional parks.
Council members approved the expansion in October. The two-year project has cost about $439,000. The city was granted $275,000 from the California Department of Conservation, which helped drive the pilot project. The grant money comes from California unredeemed beverage containers. About 600 new recycling units are scheduled to make appearances over the next three months.
Lindsey Wolf, manager of environmental communications, said the yearlong pilot project proved successful. But since city staff couldn't find a recycling unit that would work for San Jose, it contracted to have one designed specifically for the city.
The city contracted with Eight Inc. to design the new recycling cans for around town. Eight Inc. designed indoor and outdoor cans specifically for San Jose. Ten pilot cans are already in use at the San Jose Convention Center. Two are in the Environmental Services Department's conference and reception area. Minor improvements will be made to new cans.
Skip Lacaze, ESD civic services manager, said about 400 bins will be distributed throughout neighborhoods and local and regional parks. Another 200 bins will be distributed throughout City Hall, Lacaze said. He said the purpose of the containers will be as a waste disposal and recycling tool, but also to remind people that recycling is a part of everyday life in San Jose.
Lacaze said there already is one pilot container in Willow Glen. A beige recycling container is being tested outside LaVilla Restaurant in Willow Glen. The test, he said, is to see if people use the bin. However, Lacaze said the new bins will be different from test bins.
Ellen Ryan, ESD integration waste management division manager, said recycling units have been designed to blend in with San Jose's decor. Indoor units contain three barrels, one each for paper, litter and bottles and cans. Outdoor containers are blue with steel tops, with barrels for litter and cans and bottles.
Ryan says city staff hope the public recycling units are just the beginning. The goal is to continue the trend, she says.
The program was structured by the city's Environmental Services Department with six goals in mind. The department wanted to ensure that people who work in, live in or visit San Jose will find it easy to recycle; that the appearance of San Jose streets includes attractive and functional recycling bins that will be maintained; that litter will be reduced by promoting recycling and proper waste disposal throughout the city; that the program will serve as an outreach tool to encourage residents and the local work force to expect and request recycling services where there are none; and that the service will act as a model for surrounding cities.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
