Residential Recycling -- Pleasanton Garbage Service (PGS) operates a commingled residential recycling program with the City of Pleasanton that was initiated in 1990. The program is by far the easiest way to divert materials from area landfills. Rather than separating recyclable materials in separate containers (like most other communities), our program involves placing refuse (waste) and recyclables into 35- or 90-gallon refuse/recycling containers. The materials are picked up weekly and delivered to the transfer station on Busch Road, where PGS utilizes a conveyor belt to remove recyclable material from all residential refuse. This program has been responsible for the bulk of the City's diversion activities, which has resulted in several thousand tons of material being diverted from landfills since 1990.

Pleasanton definitely has recycling in the bag, the "Blue Bag" that is! Although the commingled program is working well, residents are encouraged to place recyclable material in special "blue bags" provided by the City, and then to place the blue bags inside their refuse container. This way, the blue bags limit direct contact of recyclable materials from refuse, improve the quality of materials recycled and simplify sorting at home. Acceptable materials to be placed in the blue bags include:

• Newspaper
  
• All grades of paper; junk mail, computer paper, and office paper
  
• Corrugated Cardboard (no waxed cardboard)
  
• Paper grocery bags
  
• Cereal Boxes
  
• Aluminum cans
  
• Tin cans
  
• Plastic soda bottles and milk and water jugs (#1 PET, and #2 HDPE only)
  
• No glass bottles or jars should be placed in the blue bags (However, PGS will still pick them out of the waste stream on the conveyor belt if you place them directly into your refuse/recycling container.)

The blue bag program is completely voluntary. However, those residents who wish to participate must use special blue bags available complimentary at the following locations throughout Pleasanton:

• City Hall Administration Building 123 Main Street
  
• City Hall Development Service Building 157 Main Street
  
• Operations Service Center 3333 Busch Road
  
• Pleasanton Transfer Station/Pleasanton Garbage Service 3110 Busch Road
  
• Pleasanton Senior Center 5353 Sunol Boulevard
  
• Fire Stations...

#1 3560 Nevada Street
#2 6300 Stoneridge Mall Road
#3 3200 Santa Rita Road
#4 1600 Oak Vista Way

#5 1200 Machado Place

Green Waste Recycling -- The Green Waste Recycling Program was implemented in 1996. Using specially designated 64-gallon containers, the program provides residents with bi-weekly curbside recycling of yard waste. Residents may receive a second container at no additional cost by contacting PGS directly at 846-2042. The Green Waste Recycling Program accepts all types of green waste including weed clippings, shrubs and tree prunings, leaves, plants, flowers and contents from the Food Scrap Container.

No household garbage, rocks, dirt, or plastic bags should be placed in the container. Similar to the City's commingled recycling program, the green waste is picked up and delivered to the transfer station, where it is processed and diverted to local farmers as a soil enhancer for agricultural purposes.

Household Hazardous Waste -- Alameda County residents can safely dispose of hazardous household materials through the countywide program. Most household hazardous waste contains words such as: Danger, Warning, Caution, Poisonous, Flammable, or "For Use In Well-Ventilated Areas" on the label. These materials include paint, stain, varnish, thinner and adhesives, automotive products such as old fuel, motor oil, oil filters and batteries, household batteries, cleaners, sprays, garden products, including pesticides and fertilizers, hypodermic needles (Beginning September 1, 2008, sharps used in homes can no longer be thrown in the trash). Residents must transport these materials directly to one of three conveniently located facilities located throughout the county (see addresses below). There is no charge for this service. No asbestos, explosives, railroad ties, radioactive materials, medical waste, or compressed gases are accepted at any of the facilities. To find out more about the program and available drop-off dates for your hazardous materials, please contact the Household Hazardous Waste Program at 1-800-606-6606, or the Alameda County Recycling Hotline at 1-877-STOPWASTE or find the location at www.stopwaste.org.

• Oakland Facility 2100 East 7th Street
• Hayward Facility 2091 West Winton Avenue
• Livermore Facility 5584 La Ribera Avenue

Pharmaceutical Disposal --There are no laws that forbid households from putting pharmaceuticals from the home into the trash if the pharmaceuticals would not be considered hazardous waste. Pharmaceuticals that are likely to be considered hazardous waste are those prescribed for chemotherapy. To dispose of pharmaceuticals in the trash, secure them in durable packaging to ensure that they make it to the landfill. Securing with tape the pry-off type lids of some pill containers could be helpful as is mixing the pharmaceutical with coffee grounds and salt, or kitty litter and placing it in a container.

Recycling Used Motor Oil -- Recycling used motor oil reduces pollution. Residents can take their used oil to a certified center for recycling and protect the environment and conserve a valuable resource. For a complete list of used oil collection sites click here.

Mercury Disposal -- Keep mercury out of the environment by properly disposing of compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL’s). Pleasanton residents can dispose of up to 15 CFL’s with Pleasanton Garbage at no cost. Residents disposing of more than 15 CFL’s at one time will be charged $1.00 for each excess CFL.  Non-residents are charged $1.00 for every CFL.  For a complete list of CFL collection site links see below:

• Pleasanton Garbage Service
• Home Depot

Summary -- Additional refuse volume diverted from landfills through your ongoing participation in any or all of the City of Pleasanton's Recycling Programs helps protect our environment. To learn more about information please contact the PGS at 846-2042.