Reduce Your Waste Size Program Gets Statewide Attention

Press release issued by the Castro Valley Sanitary District - 

Castro Valley Sanitary District ()’s Reduce Your Waste Size Program has been selected by the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) to receive two 1st Place 2012 Communication in Excellence Awards in the categories of Innovation and Dollar Stretcher.  CAPIO’s awards recognize and honor outstanding professional work and accomplishment, and the Reduce Your Waste Size Program represents standards of excellence and creativity.

With the initiation of the Reduce Your Waste Size Program June 1, 2011, up to 1,280 residences first come, first served were provided the opportunity to receive a cash incentive to do the right thing: right-size their garbage cart to represent what they actually send to landfill, recycle and compost more, save hundreds of dollars per year on their bill, and join over 4,400 residences in using 20-gallon garbage carts.  Funding for the program came from a settlement check for $64,000.

General Manager Roland Williams stated, “CVSan is proud of our residential community’s efforts towards meeting the California State 75% Diversion Goal by the year 2020.  We hope to give back the full $64,000 to our community, and continue to promote diversion through recycling, education, and practices.”

Solid Waste Supervisor Naomi Lue, who developed the program, said, “763 residences have downsized their carts and $38,150 has been credited to their garbage and recycling bills.  By June 2012, residents who made the switch will have realized over $110,000 in savings on their bills, and based on full carts, over 772,720 lbs. or 386 tons will have been diverted from landfill in the first year.”  

Lue accepted the two 1st place awards at CAPIO’s annual conference on April 19, 2012 in Palm Springs, California.

Residents who are interested in signing up for the Reduce Your Waste Size Program may visit CVSan’s website by clicking here for more information.