City of Pacific Grove WASTELINE A Publication for GreenWaste Recovery Commercial Customers Summer 2021 Prevent Fires with Battery Recycling Lithium-ion batteries power our smartphones, laptops, cordless tools, children's toys and much more. They are used in so many items because they provide more energy than other types of batteries and are rechargeable. Many of us enjoy the benefits of lithium-Ion batteries without even knowing, as they are concealed Locally, the Monterey Regional Waste Management District within electronic devices we use every day. With hidden batteries (MRWMD) has experienced many fires likely caused by lithium- come hidden dangers if they are thrown into trash or recycling ion batteries. In 2021, MRWMD has already had 9 fires: 6 on the containers. landfill, 2 in the MRF and 1 at the scales. In 2020, MRWMD had a total of 33 fires including 21 on the landfill and 12 in the MRF. Our trash and recycling take a journey from the kitchen bin to the street for collection, then to a materials recovery facility (MRF) Whether these fires occur in a collection vehicle, MRF or landfill, sort line or landfill, and whenever a battery is along for the ride fires are dangerous for people and the environment, causing the risk of a fire increases exponentially. As batteries are millions of dollars in damage, closures to the facilities, and grave compacted in a collection vehicle, moving through a MRF sort line risks to surrounding communities. It is up to each of us to dispose or pushed around in a landfill, pressure and heat can cause the of hazardous materials properly. As you buy rechargeable items, battery to spark and ignite fires. Inside of the MRF, fires are check for disposal information; if you see a trash can symbol with especially problematic because large volumes of paper and an “X” through it, keep it out of the collection carts and treat it as cardboard provide fuel. hazardous waste for safe and proper disposal. 3 Steps to Safe Battery Disposal STEP 1. STEP 2. STEP 3. Collect your used Call Monterey Drop off your batteries household batteries Regional Waste for proper disposal and (Includes AA, AAA, Management District recycling. C, D, 6-volt, 9-volt, at 831.384.5313 for camera batteries, information on your nickel cadmium and nearest drop off lithium-ion) location and hours. PAY ONLINE MAIL IT CALL US DELIVER IT To access our online payment Remit your payment to Payments can be made Due to COVID-19 GreenWaste Recovery, Inc., portal you can go to: GreenWaste Recovery, Inc. over the phone safety protocols, PO Box 11089 www.greenwaste.com or PO Box 11089 Monday through Friday payment drop off at San Jose, CA 95103-1089 https://portal.greenwaste.com San Jose, CA 95103-1089 8AM-5PM. our office is temporarily to enter the site directly. Please include your payment 831.920.6707 I phone 831.920.6707 stub and make sure to write your unavailable. www.greenwaste.com Customer ID on the check to 877.203.8970 I toll free ensure expedited processing. Film Plastic is Trash air pillows case wrap bubble wrap sandwich bags bread bags shopping/produce bags Please DO NOT place film plastic in the Go Paperless blue recycle container. Film plastics such as shopping/produce bags, bubble wrap, case Secure, Convenient, Green wrapping and sandwich bags are trash and must be Save paper and ease your seasonal placed in the gray trash containers. When possible cleaning sprees by signing up for e-billing. avoid using film plastic or ask for minimal packaging. Go to www.portal.greenwaste.com to Check your local retailers for film plastic drop-off create an account and choose “paperless” collection bins in their stores. for your billing preference. After updating To find out more about What Goes Where, check out the to paperless invoicing, you will begin to Monterey County's guide to help you determine how to receive these newsletters digitally from recycle everyday materials. Visit www.whatgoeswhere.info [email protected]. or download the free App for more disposal information. Regular Safe Disposal of Hazardous Waste Collection IT’S THE LAW! Service On Household hazardous waste (HHW) items like the ones pictured here cannot be placed in garbage, recycling or organics containers at any time. Safe disposal options are available Upcoming through Monterey Regional Waste Management District's HHW program. For information about Holiday proper handling and transport, disposal options, accepted items, locations and facility hours visit www.MRWMD.org/hhw or call 831.384.5313. GreenWaste Household Outdoor & Auto Cooking Recovery will Cleaning Pool Products Products Oil provide regular Products collection service on Labor Day, Monday, September 6, 2021 Please set out your containers on your regular Paint Universal Health & Electronic collection day by 4:00 AM Waste Personal Care Waste Printed on recycled post-consumer waste paper..