Here at Fast Haul, we are committed to doing our part to help reduce the percentage of waste materials in the Bay Area going into landfills. Through recycling and donations, many large, bulky, and unwanted items can be diverted and re-used or re-purposed.

Below is a summary of recent news from around the Bay Area related to waste reduction efforts and ensuring a slightly greener planet for all of us:

Call2Recycle launches Bay Area battery safety campaign

“Call2Recycle announced Tuesday a new battery safety campaign with industry partners and Bay Area MRFs and waste facilities to educate California consumers about the “hidden dangers” of improper battery disposal, particularly regarding lithium-based batteries.

The “Avoid the Spark” campaign will focus on bringing best practices to Alameda, Marin, Santa Clara, San Francisco and San Mateo.”

Read the full article by Kristin Musulin at Waste Dive here: https://www.wastedive.com/news/call2recycle-launches-bay-area-battery-safety-campaign/523606/

SF to consider banning plastic straws

“In San Francisco, plastic drinking straws could soon be going the way of non-reusable shopping bags and Styrofoam containers — that is to say, strictly prohibited within city limits.

On Tuesday, Supervisor Katy Tang is expected to roll out legislation that would count San Francisco among the growing list of cities seeking to cut down on environmentally noxious litter by prohibiting restaurants, bars and coffee shops from stuffing plastic straws, stirrers or cocktail sticks into the drinks they serve.”

Read the full article by Dominic Fracassa of the San Francisco Chronicle here: https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/SF-to-consider-banning-plastic-straws-12913930.php

https://twitter.com/ecowatchADZU/status/1004685636383563776

How the Bay Area is impacted by chaos in US recycling industry

“The U.S. could soon drown in a sea of recycled paper, plastic and cardboard because overseas companies that reprocess it into new products can’t handle the load. A decision made by China against accepting U.S. recycling is causing chaos.

This problem is coming to your house, and everyone else’s. It’s time to learn how to generate less recycling or learn to live in it.”

Read the full article by Tom Vacar of KTVU at: http://www.ktvu.com/news/how-the-bay-area-is-impacted-by-chaos-in-us-recycling-industry