President's Message

Update on Oro Loma's Multi-Family Recycling Program

In the summer of 2004, Oro Loma embarked on an aggressive campaign to assist multi-family complexes within the District to increase their recycling and decrease the generation of garbage. A team comprised of Oro Loma and Waste Management employees undertook this challenge with enthusiasm and determination. The results did not take long to appear.

Now, one year into the program, Oro Loma is proud to share its accomplishment. There are 360 multi-family complexes with five or more units in Oro Loma, accounting for 10,345 units. The program target was to contact and assist 53 large complexes in increasing their recycling and reducing their garbage. The goal was reached and exceeded. The team contacted a total of 75 large and medium apartment complexes (5,756 units). Of these, 55 complexes joined the recycling program, thus increasing their recycling and reducing their garbage. Seven complexes are making preparations to join soon. It should be noted that in Oro Loma, the District is required to provide recycling services to every customer. Recycling and green waste fees are collected every year on the customers' property tax statements mailed by Alameda County. There is no restriction on the amount of material that can be included in the customers' recycling pickup.

At the conclusion of the first program year, it was determined that an additional 530 tons of garbage were diverted from the landfill. Furthermore, by decreasing the garbage produced, apartment owners jointly saved an astonishing $119,210 in garbage fees!

However, staff's work on this program is far from over. Another 285 complexes need to be contacted to remind owners of the environmental and financial benefits of encouraging recycling in multi-family complexes. Therefore, in the next phase, Oro Loma and Waste Management will again send letters to multi-family complex owners, explaining the benefits of recycling, and offering assistance in implementing or enhancing each property's recycling program. None of this would have happened without the efforts and coordination of Waste Management and Oro Loma employees, who conducted field surveys, customized proposals for garbage reduction, and ultimately provided the necessary recycling bins and service. Waste Management continues to commit the necessary staff and resources to make this program a success. For further questions, or to request assistance, please call Waste Management at (510) 613-2104.