Tourism Recycling Topics

Zero Waste Topics

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Tourism Recycling

In an effort to provide increased recycling opportunities throughout the Monterey Bay Area, a regional cooperative partnership of local waste reduction and recycling agencies has been established, developing the Monterey Bay Area Regional Tourism Recycling & Litter Abatement Project. This project implements convenient and consistent recycling program services at a variety of locations serving tourists, including: Bars and Restaurants, Entertainment and Hospitality Venues, Conference Centers, Hotels, Racetrack Recreation Areas, Parks, and Community Events.

Building on the success from the Monterey Peninsula Special Event Recycling & Litter Abatement Project, this new program expands our recycling and waste reduction outreach to over 22 coastal Monterey Bay Area communities who collaboratively host over 10 million tourists annually.

Businesses in the Monterey Bay Area are “Going Blue”

Participating businesses who have adopted recycling and waste reduction programs will be listed on our website.  These “Blue” businesses will also receive a decal/certificate to display at their place of business.

Find Blue Businesses Now

 

Program Goals

This year, the program aims to encourage a broad based recycling and waste reduction conservation ethic with tourists, local special events and businesses, with an end result of diverting approximately 250 tons of California Redemption Value (CRV) beverage containers and other recyclables from area landfills through recycling and litter abatement, helping our region achieve its share of diversion toward California’s 80% CRV recycling goals. Please do your part—Recycle!

 

Special Event Recycling Resource Kit: Free step by step guide on how will show you how easy it is to implement your own special event recycling program and connect to local resources for materials and technical assistance. Plus, find simple tips to ensure project success.

 

Coming Soon!

Mobile Special Event Recycling Unit: This mobile storage unit is currently in the works. We hope to have a loaner kit with everything you need for special event recycling, including: recycling bins & liners, promotional materials, safety equipment and more!

Business Recycling Resource Kit: Free step by step guide on how will show you how easy it is to implement your own business recycling program and connect to local resources for materials and technical assistance. Plus, find simple tips to ensure project success.

What Does the Monterey Bay Area Recycle?
Although specific accepted materials vary somewhat from place to place, these recyclable materials are accepted throughout the Monterey Bay Area:

  • Bottles & Can
    Glass bottles or jars, plastic containers #1-7, aluminum cans, tin cans, etc.
  • Cardboard & Chipboard
    Moving, mailing, storage and other boxes, cereal & dry goods boxes, etc.
  • Mixed Paper
    Office Paper, Newspaper, Magazines, Brochures, Junk Mail, Receipts, etc.

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What is not Recyclable? 
The following items are not recyclable in our area:

  • Styrofoam (please reuse Styrofoam blocks and peanuts, Styrofoam dinnerware must be thrown in the trash)
  • Plastic Bags (some areas like Santa Cruz County and the City of Monterey accept plastic bags in their mixed recycling containers.  In most areas, you must take plastic bags to a supermarket to be recycled.)
  • Plastic cutlery
  • Food waste (food waste recycling program are currently in development.  Keep your eyes open for changes in the future!)

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Other Waste Reduction Tips:

  • Look for the blue recycling bins to recycle bottles, cans and other recyclables during your stay in the Monterey Bay.
  • Ask for recycling at the restaurants, bars, hotels and special events you visit during your stay.
  • Bring a reusable bag with you for souvenir shopping.  If you do obtain disposal bags when shopping, be sure to reuse them.  When they no longer function, please recycle paper bags in a local blue bin or drop off your plastic bags for recycling at a local shopping center.
  • Consider souvenir choices carefully for reusability, recyclability and recycled content. For example, a local bottle of wine, jar of gourmet foods or locally made lotion may serve as a valuable memento of your stay. Once you have enjoyed the product inside, the bottle can be recycled and no waste is generated.
  • Consider using public transportation during your stay to reduce carbon emissions. Visit our transportations programs for more information.

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Program Contact

Brennen Jensen

Ecology Action
(831) 426-5925 ext. 117
(831) 425-1404 Fax
Email

 

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