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2009 Press Releases

Compost Give Back 2009 - 150 Vouchers Remain

(12/15/09)

Set to expire December 31, 2009, Castro Valley Sanitary District residents, multi-family property owners, and commercial business bill payers have two weeks left to claim 150 Compost Give Back vouchers for 1 cubic yard each.

In addition to Castro Valley Sanitary District’s annual Compost Give-Away held in the Spring, the District and Waste Management of Alameda County, Inc. (WMAC) are giving back 300 cubic yards of bagged & loose compost & mulch to the first 300 customers (see details below).

Who is eligible for 1 cubic yard?
• Single-family residential bill payer/tenant (1 per household).
• Multi-family bill payer/manager (1 per multi-family complex).
• Commercial business bill payer/merchant (1 per billing address).

How do I get up to 1 cubic yard of landscape material?
• Single-family residents, call WMAC at (510) 537-5500 to request a voucher.
• Multi-family bill payers/managers, and Commercial businesses, call WMAC at (510) 613-8700 to request a voucher.
• CVSD is not issuing vouchers.

What is the voucher worth?
• Each voucher is worth up to 1 cu. yard.
• 300 vouchers are available on a first come, first served basis.
• The 1 cu. yard may be composed of any combination of bagged compost, loose compost, and/or loose mulch; total received not to exceed 1 cu. yard.
o 1 cu. yard = 27 bags of compost (each bag weighs ~25 pounds)
o 1 cu. yard = 3’x3’x3’ loose compost or mulch (red, brown or black)

How do I pick-up the compost/mulch?
• Redeem your voucher at the Davis Street Garden Center weigh house (located within the WM Transfer Station), 2615 Davis Street, San Leandro, CA 94577. Stay in the left lane, surrender your voucher for a validated tag, and then proceed to the garden supply area.
• Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm, Saturday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Sunday: Closed.

• Limited vehicle loading assistance is available.
• Voucher expires December 31, 2009.

Voucher must be surrendered to Davis Street Garden Center staff at time of redemption. One-time use only; any unused portion is forfeited if full cubic yard is not redeemed by customer. No cash value. May not be combined with other offers. May not be sold, otherwise transferred or reproduced.

For complete details, visit our website at www.cvsan.org.

www.cvsan.org/pages/main.php?pageid=86&pagecategory=3

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Dental Amalgam Program Presentation

(12/14/09)

The Castro Valley Sanitary District is required by the Regional Water Quality Control Board to initiate a program with the dental community to maximize proper amalgam disposal practices and to facilitate installation of approved amalgam separators. As mercury amalgam waste from dental offices is estimated to be the single largest source of mercury to wastewater treatment plants, which are not designed to remove mercury, we earnestly need your help and support to help reduce the total mercury discharge.

All Castro Valley Dentists are highly encouraged to attend an informational presentation to be held at the Castro Valley Sanitary District, 21040 Marshall Street, Castro Valley, on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 6 p.m.

Please RSVP by December 21, 2009 by calling 510-537-0757 or emailing mary@cvsan.org.
 

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Christmas & New Year's Holiday

(12/14/09)

Christmas Holiday:
WMAC observes Christmas Day, December 25th, as a holiday.

Garbage, recycling and organics collection services will take place one day later (i.e., Friday’s collection will take place on Saturday).

CVSD offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, December 24 & 25, 2009.

New Year’s Holiday:
WMAC observes New Year’s Day, January 1st, as a holiday.

Garbage, recycling and organics collection services will take place one day later (i.e., Friday’s collection will take place on Saturday).

The collection of holiday trees will take place January 4-8, and 11-15, 2010. Please visit our website at www.cvsan.org for more information regarding collection guidelines.

CVSD offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, December 31, 2009 and January 1, 2010.

www.cvsan.org/pages/main.php?pageid=99&pagecategory=3

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Waste Management Driver Appreciation Awards Luncheon

(12/10/09)

Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSD) hosted a Waste Management of Alameda County (WMAC) Driver Appreciation Luncheon and Awards ceremony yesterday Wednesday, December 9th at District offices.

WMAC driver Tony Manhoso was recognized for Fewest Missed Pick-Ups for Route AD Trash for the past six months.

WMAC driver Carlos Costa was recognized for Outstanding Customer Service for Route BA Recycle the past six months.

CVSD would like to thank all WMAC drivers and staff for their service in the collection of solid waste.
 

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Waste Management Driver Appreciation Awards Luncheon

(11/20/09)

Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSD) will host a Waste Management of Alameda County (WMAC) Driver Appreciation Luncheon and Awards ceremony on Wednesday, December 9th at District offices.

CVSD would like to thank all WMAC drivers and staff for their service in the collection of solid waste.

www.cvsan.org/pages/main.php?pageid=112&pagecategory=3

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StopWaste.Org Grants

(11/04/09)

StopWaste.Org is soliciting grant proposals for innovative projects that increase recycling, decrease the amount of waste sent to landfills, and increase environmental education in Alameda County.

Focus areas include:

• Public Agency/ Nonprofit Partnership Projects
• Recycling Based Businesses
• Business Waste Prevention
• Reuse Projects

Visit www.StopWaste.Org/npgrants for a comprehensive overview of the Grants to Nonprofit programs and to download an application.

Contact Meri Soll at (510) 891- 6500 for more information.

Deadline December 11, 2009

www.stopwaste.org/home/index.asp?page=504

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Veterans Day & Thanksgiving Holiday

(10/30/09)

Veterans Day Holiday
Garbage, recycling, and organics collection services will remain on schedule the week of November 9-13, 2009.

Castro Valley Sanitary District offices will be closed Wednesday, November 11, 2009 in recognition of the Veterans Day Holiday.

Thanksgiving Day Holiday
Garbage, recycling, and organics collection services will be one (1) day later than usual November 26-28, 2009. Thursday’s collection will be on Friday, and Friday’s collection on Saturday.

Castro Valley Sanitary District offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 26-27, 2009 in recognition of the Thanksgiving Holiday.
 

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Castro Valley Sanitary District Residents Receive Cash for Trash

(10/21/09)

Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSD) held an Open House and Awards Ceremony for its 13th Annual Recycled Art Contest on Tuesday, October 20, 2009. The District awarded a total of $4,600.00 in an effort to promote reuse and recycling in the community. $2,950.00 in awards was distributed to individual contest winners. Prize winning students received equivalent cash awards for their schools totaling $1,650.00.

All 79 entries made with salvaged materials were on display during the Open House and Awards Ceremony. Select winning entries will remain on display through 2009 and some will be photographed by Castro Valley High School Photography Students for the District’s 2010 Recycled Art Contest Calendar and Annual Report. The calendar will be distributed to over 55,000 residents and businesses this December. Also, select projects will be featured at the Castro Valley Library January 4 to February 1, 2010.

www.cvsan.org/pages/main.php?pageid=105&pagecategory=3

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Columbus Day Holiday

(10/02/09)

Castro Valley Sanitary District will not be observing Columbus Day, October 12, 2009 as a holiday. District offices will be open.

Waste Management of Alameda County, Inc. will not be observing October 12, 2009 as a holiday. Therefore, recycling, organics, and garbage collection services will take place on their normal collection day and WMAC offices will be open.

Should you have any questions, please call CVSD at 510-537-0757.
 

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Waste Management Audits by Castro Valley Sanitary District

(9/17/09)

On May 1, 2009, a new, ten-year contract period began between Castro Valley Sanitary District and Waste Management of Alameda County, Inc. (WMAC) for the collection and processing of your recycling, garbage, and organics. Unfortunately, service levels have been far below CVSD’s outstanding customer service policy. We vow to change that!

CVSD has implemented a Quality Control Plan, and beginning Monday, September 21st through October 7th, District employees will be conducting route audits and customer service audits to evaluate the services provided to you by WMAC and to ensure that the quality of service you deserve returns to the outstanding level we expect.

Results and findings of the first 10 days will be presented at the October 6, 2009 Board Meeting, with further direction provided by the Board.

How to report a service issue:
• Contact WMAC
o (510) 537-5500 (Residents)
o (510) 613-8700 (Businesses)
• Contact CVSD
o Complete the Online Contact Form under “Contact Us” at www.cvsan.org
o Call (510) 537-0757

www.cvsan.org/pages/contactus.php?aid=1

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CVSD Offers Environmental Education Programs to Castro Valley Schools

(9/04/09)

Castro Valley Sanitary District is pleased to announce the following programs for Castro Valley schools:

Free 3rd Grade 4Rs Field Trip
• Students learn how to make less waste by practicing the 4Rs.
• Includes hands-on recycled paper-making activity.

Free After School Recycling Adventures
• Students sort photo item cards in the “3 Cart Trash Sort.”
• The program concludes with an exciting Recycling Relay Race!

Green Ribbon Schools Program
• Select from a menu of waste reduction and recycling activities to reduce waste at your school and meet the Green Ribbon requirements.
• Applications are due March 26, 2010.
• CVSD will reward and recognize certified schools with an award banner, CVSD Board Recognition, media promotion, and an annual cash award of $2,000 for the first 3 years ($1,000 per year for all subsequent years).

For more information, please contact CVSD at contact@cvsan.org or (510) 537-0757.

www.cvsan.org/pages/main.php?pageid=91&pagecategory=3

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Labor Day Holiday

(8/27/09)

Castro Valley Sanitary District will observe Labor Day, September 7, 2009 as a holiday. District offices will be closed.

Waste Management of Alameda County, Inc. will not be observing September 7, 2009 as a holiday. Therefore, recycling, organics, and garbage collection services will take place on their normal collection day and WMAC offices will be open on September 7th.

Should you have any questions, please call CVSD at 510-537-0757.
 

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Residents Recycle More Than 889 Lbs. of Shredded Documents, 34,321 Lbs. Electronics, Household Batteries and Fluorescent Light Bulbs and 3,420 Gallons of Latex (water-based) Paint

(7/27/09)

Alameda County residents showed their mettle as responsible consumers of electronics this month by bringing more than 35,210 pounds of unwanted sensitive documents, electronics, household batteries and fluorescent light bulbs and 3,420 gallons of latex (water-based) paint to Castro Valley Sanitary District’s (CVSD’s) 7th annual free U-Waste Collection Day.

Within the course of six (6) hours on Saturday, July 11th, 800 residents, most of whom live in the Castro Valley Sanitary District, brought their unwanted calculators, cameras, clock radios, computers, computer peripherals (printers, keyboards, scanners, mouse, speakers and wires & cables), copy machines, disk drives, DVDs, DVD players, fax machines, laptops, microwave ovens, monitors, overhead projectors, PDAs, record payers, recorders, shredders, stereo systems, tape recorders, telephones, televisions, typewriters, VCRs, latex paint, household batteries and fluorescent light bulbs to the Canyon Middle School parking lot. Below is a photo of latex paint being collected by event staff.

The Universal Waste collected from this event is being properly recycled in a safe manner instead of being disposed of in a landfill, which poses a risk to human and environmental health and safety.
 

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Green Ribbon Schools Program, Nine Castro Valley Schools to be Certified July 7, 2009

(7/01/09)

On July 7, 2009, nine (9) schools within the Castro Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) and/or Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSD) boundaries will become either First or Second-Year Green Ribbon Certified Schools by Castro Valley Sanitary District at the 6:30 p.m. regular Board meeting.

The following nine (9) schools that applied for the Green Ribbon certification met or exceeded the program requirements.

First-Year Green Ribbon Certified Schools:
• A Shepherd’s Heart Christian School
• Marshall Elementary School
• Palomares Elementary School

Second-Year Green Ribbon Certified Schools:
• Canyon Middle School
• Castro Valley Adult School
• Creekside Middle School
• Chabot Elementary School
• Independent Elementary School
• Our Lady of Grace School

In addition to being recognized for their efforts to “go green,” all Green Ribbon Certified schools will receive:
• A check in the amount of $2,000.00
o $18,000.00 total, from Measure D funding
• An award certificate
• A biodegradable banner for First-Year schools or a current year patch for Second-Year schools, made from recycled plastic bottles.

In October 2007, CVSD launched the Green Ribbon Schools Program to guide schools towards sustainable implementation of waste reduction and recycling programs.

The Green Ribbon application consists of a menu of mandatory and optional activities that center around the 4Rs – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, & Rot. Activities range from: “Make double-sided printing a school policy” to “Provide containers for organics collection in the kitchen” and “Use paper office products made with recycled content.”

All 18 public and private schools located within the CVSD and/or CVUSD boundaries are eligible to participate.

Please join us at 6:30 p.m. on July 7, 2009 at Castro Valley Sanitary District, 21040 Marshall Street, for the official Green Ribbon certification of nine (9) Castro Valley schools. For more information, please visit www.cvsan.org or call (510) 537-0757.

Additionally, the following schools received donations funded by grants throughout the 2008/2009 school year from CVSD to promote recycling in their schools.

• A Shepherd’s Heart Christian School received indoor recycling containers.
• Canyon Middle School received 40 clear stream recyclers for everyday use.
• Castro Valley Adult School received 100 reusable tote bags and 2 food scrap recycling containers.
• Independent Elementary School received 2-30 gallon clear canables with labeling for recycling bottles and cans, $1,779.53 worth of compostable lunch trays, straws, forks, and paper bags for their food scrap recycling program, and recycling containers of various sizes.
• Jensen Ranch Elementary School received $1,835.75 worth of compostable lunch trays, spoons, and forks for their food scrap recycling program.
• Our Lady of Grace School received 20 garbage caddies, 3-23 gallon square recycling and garbage containers.
• Palomares Elementary School received $934.77 worth of compostable lunch trays, spoons, straws, forks, paper bags, and organics recycling containers for their food scrap recycling program.
• Participating Earth Day event schools received a total of 1,259 bags of compost and 22 cubic yards of mulch.

www.cvsan.org/pages/main.php?pageid=98&pagecategory=3

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Palomares Elementary School Starts Food Scrap Recycling Program

(6/23/09)

Palomares Elementary School (Palomares) has teamed up with Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSD), Waste Management of Alameda County, Inc. and StopWaste.Org to develop a food scrap recycling program. The program began the first week of April, and the school received a donation from CVSD of $1,000.00 towards the purchase of compostable trays, straws, spoons, forks and bags. In addition, the donation also included new indoor/outdoor Recycling and Organics containers.

With the new program implemented, Palomares has already reached a waste reduction rate of 76.6%. Students are excited that their school is becoming more environmentally friendly. One fifth-grader noted, “I think it’s important for us not to waste stuff, even food.”

Castro Valley residents have been participating in curbside food scrap recycling since 2001. Extending the program to include Castro Valley schools was a logical next step, one that will save Palomares an estimated $850.00 annually.

www.cvsan.org/pages/main.php?pageid=98&pagecategory=3

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Fourth of July Holiday

(6/22/09)

The collection of recycling, organics, and garbage will be on regular schedule the weeks of June 29th and July 6th.

Castro Valley Sanitary District offices will be closed on Friday, July 3rd. For information regarding District services and programs, visit www.cvsan.org.

www.cvsan.org/pages/main.php?pageid=97&pagecategory=3

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Waste Management Driver Appreciation

(6/17/09)

Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSD) hosted a Waste Management of Alameda County (WMAC) Driver Appreciation Luncheon and Awards ceremony yesterday Tuesday, June 16th at District offices.

WMAC driver Art DeAlba was recognized for Fewest Missed Pick-Ups for Route 872 for the past six months.

WMAC driver Michael Muzio was recognized for Outstanding Customer Service for Route 413 the past six months.

CVSD would like to thank all WMAC drivers and staff for their service in the collection of solid waste.
 

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WWW.CVSAN.ORG - Website Redesign

(6/09/09)

Castro Valley Sanitary District is pleased to announce the redesign of its website, www.cvsan.org. Not only has the look of the website been changed but the content and usability has been enhanced to make it more user-friendly.

The redesigned website has 63 pages plus additional subpages, and features reorganized content, a “Search” feature, a “Page Reader” for reading guides and newsletters, online fill-in forms, and interactive sorting games. The website was reviewed by the District’s Community Advisory Committee prior to launch.

The website’s design contains elements from the District’s branding and was a collaborative effort between staff and the District’s contractor, 10K Group LLC, an Alameda County Green Business.

Two interactive games entitled “Recycle It?!” and “Composting Corner” were developed by Castro Valley local, MonkeyByte, and is designed to help users determine what goes in the blue recycling and green organics carts.

The District’s original website was developed in 2001-02 and implemented August 2002. The original launch had 16 active pages and 1 color photo.
 

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Waste Management Driver Appreciation Awards Luncheon

(6/02/09)

Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSD) will host a Waste Management of Alameda County (WMAC) Driver Appreciation Luncheon and Awards ceremony on Tuesday, June 16th at District offices.

CVSD would like to thank all WMAC drivers and staff for their service in the collection of solid waste.
 

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SEWER LATERAL GRANTS ARE HERE AGAIN!

(6/01/09)

Castro Valley Sanitary District is pleased to announce the continuance of the Lateral Replacement Grant Program (LRGP), scheduled to start July 6, 2009 at 7:30 a.m. in the amount of $50,000. The District is offering financial assistance to replace your entire defective lateral at 50% of the approved cost, up to a maximum reimbursement of $2,000 per building lateral.

Residents may see advertisements in local papers or flyers from contractors promoting the program. However, for Program information, please contact the Castro Valley Sanitary District, 21040 Marshall Street, Castro Valley, (510) 537-0757; or visit our website at www.cvsan.org.

www.cvsan.org/pages/main.php?pageid=117&pagecategory=4

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Document Shredding, U-Waste & Paint Collection Day

(6/01/09)

Castro Valley Sanitary District encourages Alameda County residents and businesses to Save the Date of Saturday, July 11, 2009 for the Document Shredding, U-Waste & Paint Collection Day from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Alameda County residents and businesses may bring old electronics, household (dry cell) batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, latex(water-based) paint, and sensitive documents for shredding (limit 10 “banker” sized boxes) to Canyon Middle School during the one-day event. Visit www.cvsan.org for more information.

www.cvsan.org/pages/main.php?pageid=43&pagecategory=6

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Castro Valley Sanitary District’s Qualified List of Plumbing Contractors For the 2009/2010 Lateral Replacement Grant Program

(6/01/09)

The Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSD) will be continuing the Lateral Replacement Grant Program (LRGP) effective July 6, 2009. Those State of California licensed contractors interested in being listed as a “CVSD Qualified Plumbing Contractor,” eligible to provide quotations to residents who are participating in the LRGP, please submit a written request to Castro Valley Sanitary District, 21040 Marshall Street, Castro Valley, CA 94546 no later than June 15, 2009.

Please be advised that qualified contractors are given such designation based on the following criteria:

1. Properly licensed (either C42 - Sanitation System or Class A - General Engineering Contractor) to work on sewer lines and work in the public roadway.
2. Have no outstanding matters or disputed work with the District (i.e., incorrect installations or incomplete work after permit expiration).
3. Have not presented misleading or confusing print media to the community or property owners about the LRGP.

Please be advised, contractors that do not meet the above criteria will be removed from the contractors list for a period of 12 months.

For additional information, please contact the Castro Valley Sanitary District, 21040 Marshall Street, Castro Valley at (510) 537-0757.

www.cvsan.org/pages/main.php?pageid=117&pagecategory=4

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New Immigrants Learn About the Environment While Learning English

(5/26/09)

An innovative program offered at local area Adult Schools helps new immigrants protect the environment while learning English. The program brings together the needs of a local agency charged with protecting the environment with the needs of teachers and students of English as Second Language (ESL) classes.

Castro Valley Sanitary District administers state grant funds to promote recycling of used motor oil and filters in the unincorporated areas of Alameda County, including Castro Valley and Oro Loma Sanitary District (Cherryland, Ashland and San Lorenzo). Residents are informed about the locations such as automotive businesses that accept oil and filters from the public for recycling, and also about curbside pickup available from garbage haulers in many areas. But traditional educational outreach techniques such as advertisements and inserts in utility bills may miss people who have recently arrived here from other countries.

“We know that new immigrants are an important group to reach on this topic,” says Roland Williams, General Manager at the Castro Valley Sanitary District. “Research conducted at the state level shows that new immigrants are much more likely to improperly dispose of used oil than the general population.” Oil that is poured into the trash, on the ground or down storm drains is a serious cause of water pollution,” he says.

A contractor working for the Sanitary District, C2: Alternative Services came up with an idea to address this challenge, by working with ESL teachers at Adult Schools. ESL teachers often use real-world information as the text for their language lessons. They say that students find it easier to learn English when the vocabulary relates to information they find useful in their lives. Students, who often study English in addition to working and raising children, are anxious to learn as much as they can to help them succeed in the United States.

A lesson for ESL students called “The Family Car” was launched in 2005, and Castro Valley Adult School and San Lorenzo Adult School served among the first pilot locations. The lesson was a hit with students and teachers from the start.

Amparo Ramos has been teaching the lesson at San Lorenzo Adult School ever since. She finds that her students respond very well to the information. “It is very rewarding to see students become more aware about the environment,” she says. “I enjoy the students' comments and their genuine concern. One student became extremely concerned and asked me if she could send this information to her relatives in Mexico.”

Since the program began locally in 2005, it has been expanded to over 20 counties in California, and the lesson has been taught over 1,000 times, including about 40 classes in the local Adult Schools. About 700 students have participated here, of a variety of different nationalities: languages spoken by local students included Spanish, Chinese, Farsi, Arabic, Russian, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Taiwanese, Italian, French and Tigrina.

For more information on the Family Car lesson, visit www.thefamilycar.info. For information on recycling used oil and filters in Alameda County, visit www.stopwaste.org.

www.cvsan.org/pages/main.php?pageid=111&pagecategory=3

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Memorial Day Holiday

(5/20/09)

Castro Valley Sanitary District offices will be closed Monday, May 25, 2009 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. Please call (510) 537-0757 with questions or for sewer emergencies.

Waste Management of Alameda County services will be on schedule the week of May 25th. Please call WMAC at (510) 537-5500 (residential) or (510) 613-8700 (commercial/business) with solid waste services questions.

 

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Earth Day 2009 Report: "Go Green. CV Clean!"

(5/05/09)

The weather was perfect on Saturday, April 25, 2009 for Castro Valley Sanitary District’s Earth Day Clean-Up.

Approximately 800 volunteers at 9 Castro Valley Unified School District schools and 5 public sites participated in the 7th annual Earth Day Clean-Up. Volunteers cleared 45 cu. yds. of yard waste to be composted and abated 8 cu. yds. of litter from Castro Valley streets, parks, schools, and creeks. Volunteers enjoyed a free lunch at Lake Chabot, provided by Castro Valley Sanitary District and Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley. Volunteers also received an event T-shirt made of recycled plastic bottles and recycled cotton.

Castro Valley Sanitary District thanks all its volunteers for helping to keep Castro Valley beautiful!

 

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Donations Provided to the Community

(3/25/09)

During the months of January-March 2009, Castro Valley Sanitary District donated to:
• Castro Valley Adult School
• A Shepherd’s Heart Christian School
• Castro Valley High School Garden Club
• Cub Scouts Pack 722
• Redwood Alternative High School
• Palomares Elementary School
• Jensen Ranch Elementary School
• Stanton Elementary School
These organizations have received approximately $9,000.00 in grant funding and supplies to promote and sustain programs that support waste reduction and the 4Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot).

Organizations interested in receiving a Donation Request Form may call the District at (510) 537-0757 or email contact@cvsan.org.
 

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Community Group Outreach - Speakers Available

(3/25/09)

Castro Valley Sanitary District recently provided Community Group Outreach speakers at Eden Garden Club and Castro Valley Rotary Club meetings.
Presentations entitled, “How Do I Practice the 4Rs in Castro Valley?” covered topics such as:
• Services under the new municipal solid waste franchise agreement with Waste Management of Alameda County, Inc.
• Informative lessons on the 4Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot)
• District waste reduction and recycling programs.

If your community group is interested in having a District speaker for an upcoming meeting or event, please call (510) 537-0757 to request at application for a speaker. Applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis.
 

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How is Castro Valley Celebrating Earth Day

(3/24/09)

Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSD) is pleased to present “Go Green. CV Clean!” in honor of Earth Day 2009. A community clean-up will be held on Saturday, April 25th from 9:00 a.m. to noon, followed by a free BBQ lunch sponsored by CVSD and Supervisor Nate Miley at the shady Lake Chabot “Cove” site for all volunteers.
Volunteers are needed to Beautify and Clean-Up Castro Valley!
Register by April 17th to beautify one of the following “Go Green. CV Clean!” 2009 clean-up sites:

a. Greenridge Park
b. Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area
c. Lake Chabot Regional Park
d. Castro Valley Creek
e. BART Parking Lot
f. Various Schools (contact your school to sign-up for their clean-up)

Make an afternoon of it!
Special sightseeing tours for volunteers aboard the Lake Chabot Queen tour boat will depart from the Marina every half hour from 12:30 p.m.to 3:30 p.m. (25 seat capacity) at the discounted rate of $2.00 for adults and free of charge for children 12 and under. Plus, volunteers will enjoy free volleyball access, free horse-shoe throwing, and 50% off all non-motorized boat rentals, courtesy of Lake Chabot Fishing Outfitters.

Please contact (510) 537-0757 or info@cvsan.org for more information.
 

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CVSD's Compost Give-Away 2009

(2/23/09)

As an early benefit to the new municipal solid waste contract with Waste Management of Alameda County, Inc. (WMAC), Castro Valley Sanitary District will host a Compost Give-Away through March.

How Do I Participate?
Grab your Compost Voucher from your February Waste Management bill. If you do not receive a bill (you rent or live in an apartment/condo), pick up a Compost Voucher from Castro Valley Sanitary District, 21040 Marshall Street, Castro Valley, CA 94546. Present your Compost Voucher at one of the following locations for two (2) free bags of Wonder Grow compost (made from Castro Valley’s food scraps and yard trimmings).

ONE DAY ONLY:
Wednesday, March 25th
8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Castro Valley Adult School
(Seven Hills Road parking lot)

MARCH 2nd thru MARCH 31st (call for hours of operation):
Pete’s ACE Hardware
2569 Castro Valley Boulevard - (510) 581-7633
Workbench True Value Hardware
19640 Center Street - (510) 538-5454

Note: Two bags per household. CVSD residents only. Each bag weighs approximately 25 lbs. Vehicle loading assistance available.
 

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Environmental Education 2009 - Castro Valley Sanitary District's FREE School Program Offerings

(2/10/09)

The Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSD) offers two free environmental education programs to Castro Valley Schools and Castro Valley after school programs. The programs offered are:

• 3rd Grade 4R’s Field Trip – 3rd grade students will take a school bus to CVSD. Here they will have the opportunity to learn about the 4R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot), and how to properly sort trash. During this experience they will learn how to make their own recycled paper. The field trip is 2 hours and is offered at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, January – June 2009.

• After School Recycling Adventures – This will give students an opportunity to become expert recyclers. Activities include a trash sorting exercise and an exciting “Recycling Relay Race.” The After School Recycling Adventures is about 2 hours in duration and held at your school’s after school program. Scheduling for this program is flexible.

For more information or to reserve your spot in one of CVSD’s FREE environmental education programs, please contact CVSD at (510) 537-0987 or michelle@cvsan.org. Space is limited.

 

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Lateral Replacement Grants for the 2008/2009 Fiscal Year are Gone!

(2/06/09)

Castro Valley Sanitary District was met with an overwhelming response to its Lateral Replacement Grant Program and the budget is now exhausted.

We would like to express our appreciation to all for participating in our program. Healthy laterals will significantly reduce the amount of water entering the sanitary sewer system during wet weather, when capacity in the sewer pipes and at the treatment plant are limited. Water tight laterals result in a more efficient system!

Please check back with the District in late June for the status of the authorized 2009/2010 fiscal year Lateral Replacement Grant Program fund amount.
 

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President's Day Holiday

(2/05/09)

Castro Valley Sanitary District offices will be closed Monday, February 16, 2009 in observance of the holiday. Please call (510) 537-0757 with questions or for sewer emergencies.

Waste Management of Alameda County services will be on schedule the week of February 16th. Please call WMAC at (510) 537-5500 with solid waste services questions.
 

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Sanitary District Celebrates 70 Years of Service to Castro Valley

(1/28/09)

In 1939, the Castro Valley Sanitary District was formed and constructed a 45- mile sewer system serving 5,000 people. Today, 70 years later, the District maintains approximately 160 miles of sewer lines and 9 wastewater pumping stations that serve over 55,000 residents and 500 businesses.

Over the years, the District has prided itself on a pay-as-you-go philosophy, which continues today with an ongoing Wastewater Collection System Master Plan Sewer Replacement project. This year’s project will be coordinated with the Alameda County Redevelopment Agency to replace the sewers in Redwood Road and Castro Valley Blvd. in advance of their new Streetscape improvements.

The District has entered into a new 10-year municipal solid waste collection agreement and 20-year disposal agreement with Waste Management of Alameda County, Inc. (WMAC) from May 1, 2009-April 30, 2019 and 2029, respectively. We are proud to include new residential recycling services such as curbside collection of batteries; all #1-7 plastics, aluminum foil, pans and scrap metal; additional flattened cardboard which may be placed beside a full recycling cart for collection; and, Bag-a-Bag plastic bag recycling which includes plastic bags and all other clean plastic film wrap.

Most of the District’s outreach materials including the Pipeline newsletter, website (www.cvsan.org), and new detailed Residential and Commercial Services Guides (available in Spring 2009), have been redesigned to provide efficient and comprehensive information to the community.

Castro Valley Sanitary Board President, Tim McGowan states, “As we look to the future, our goal is to continue providing outstanding wastewater and solid waste services to the community, just as we have for the last 70 years.”
 

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

(1/12/09)

Castro Valley Sanitary District offices will be closed Monday, January 19, 2009 in observance of the holiday. Please call (510) 537-0757 with questions or for sewer emergencies.

Waste Management of Alameda County services will be on schedule the week of January 19th. Please call WMAC at (510) 537-5500 with solid waste services questions.
 

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