Local Trash and Recycling Guidelines in the Conejo Valley

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We seem to always argue in our household about what we are "supposed" to place in the recycling, trash and yard debris containers.  Harrison Industries, one of our local trash collectors in the Conejo Valley (along with Waste Management), publishes guidelines on what we can and cannot do:

Recycling Bin:

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Yes:  Aluminum and metal cans, plastic containers (1-7), plastic bags, hard plastics (including nursery pots, yogurt containers and toys), glass containers, paper and junk mail, newspaper, magazines, cardboard, cereal, cracker and shoe boxes.

No:  Styrofoam, plastic bags or shrink wrap.

The City of Thousand Oaks has some additional tips about the quality of the City’s recycling: Keep plastic bags out of the recycling bin (even if you collect recyclables in them. Dump them out of the bag as it causes problems with sorting them. Rinse any food-contaminated containers before recycling them. And of course, keep all non-recyclables out of the recycling bin.

Yard Debris Bin:

Yes:  Yard trimmings, weeds, leaves, grass, small branches, unpainted/untreated scrap lumber, plants and flowers.

No:  Trash, garden hoses, animal waste, dirt/rocks, yucca/palm, plastic bags, food, recyclables, concrete, metal, flower pots and painted/treated wood.

Trash:

Yes: Well, just trash.  Everything that doesn't go into the recycling and yard debris, with exceptions below.

No:  Hazardous waste, TVs, computer monitors, fluorescent light bulbs, tires, batteries, oil/paint, medical needles.

Bin Spacing:  2 to 3 feet apart. Now there’s been some heated debate on NextDoor regarding whether to put the bins on the curb or in the street in front of the curb. E.J. Harrison says the carts should be placed “with the wheels facing the curb,” which to me infers they should be in the street. I’ve personally always place my bins/carts in the street, and find it quite obnoxious when folks block sidewalks with their trash bins. So I guess you know my feelings on the matter. :)

Hazardous Waste

Thousand Oaks residents can take hazardous waste for disposal by appointment 1 day per month.  Click here to make an appointment.

Materials accepted includes acids, oil, antifreeze, paint, propane, pesticides, batteries, electronics, various household chemical, etc. 

Looking for other places to bring recyclables and hazardous waste?  Check out www.Earth911.org.

Batteries and Fluorescent Bulbs

For several years now it has been illegal to toss used batteries and flourescent bulbs in the trash.  While I am not aware of anyone going to jail for dumping a AA battery into the trash, do the right thing by taking used batteries to a hazardous waste disposal event or taking your batteries to drop-off locations in the area.

Or better yet, switch to rechargeable batteries! 

New Thousand Oaks Smoking Ordinance - Effective 8/8/08

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The following information regarding the new City of Thousand Oaks Smoking Prohibition Ordinance is taken directly from the City of Thousand Oaks website.  The Ordinance, adopted by the City Council last month, becomes effective on August 8, 2008 and will effect smokers in Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and the Ventura County side of Westlake Village.

Smoking Ordinance:

The Thousand Oaks City Council has adopted a new ordinance which
prohibits smoking in outdoor gathering places. The ordinance will take
effect on Friday, August 8, 2008 and specifically prohibits smoking in
the following places:

  • Any playground and within 25 feet thereof;
  • Any public gardens;
  • Any outdoor service area (ex: ATM or theatre ticket line);
  • The grounds of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, except in any
    designated smoking area;
  • Any outdoor dining area (with limited permitted exemptions);
  • The grounds of any public library;
  • Any common area at a shopping center.
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Handwashing on the Downturn

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A study funded by The Soap and Detergent Association and the American Society for Microbiology in August 2007 found that only 77% of people washed their hands in public restrooms, while in a separate telephone study, 92% of adults said they wash their hands.  Hmmm, kind of a discrepancy there.

Harris Interactive performed the study.  They conspicuously observed 6,076 adults in public restrooms in Atlanta (Turner Field), Chicago (Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium), New York City (Grand Central Station, Penn Station) and San Francisco (Farmers' Market).  This does not sound like a particularly enticing job if you ask me.

Observers were told to groom themselves while observing and to rotate bathrooms every hour or so to avoid counting repeat users.  Better make sure to wash your hands next time someone fiddles with their hair an excessively long time in a public restroom!

The bad news is that handwashing declined by 6 percentage points from a study 2 years prior.  The guys only washed their hands 66% of the time.  The good news is that 88% of women washed their hands.  So women washed their hands 33% more often then men.  Makes you want to carry a bottle of hand sanitizer with you, doesn't it?

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