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Complaints, Service Requests & Info
Foothill Disposal Customer Service
M-F 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
650-967-3034
Billing Inquiries
Finance & Administrative Services Department
Utility Billing System
650-903-6317
City Solid Waste & Recycling Program Ideas
650-903-6311
recycle@mountainview.gov |
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Is it true that plastic bottles which still have caps/lids on are discarded, rather than recycled, by workers on the sorting line because it takes too much time to remove them? A friend just learned this fact from the Green Channel.
No, the information is not correct with respect to Mountain View.
In Mountain View, you may include plastic caps and lids without fear that the bottle or tub will be rejected.
Most caps and lids are not accepted for recycling because they cause problems with the baling equipment and are not the type of plastic manufacturers desire. We prefer that caps and lids not be included, but the recycing process removes many of them.
During the recycling process, containers are sorted, washed, shredded and flaked; and contaminants, like paper labels and caps/lids, are skimmed out of the mixture prior to melting.
Therefore, recycle caps/lids if they are marked #1 through #7, or if needed to keep your cart clean from sticky or oily food residues (syrup, honey or salad oil containers).
If you forget to remove the cap or lid, fear not, the container will be recycled in Mountain View.
Remember, each community's recycling program may be a little different due to market conditions or processing equipment. For information on our recycling programs, please contact the City's Solid Waste & Recycling Section at 650-903-6311 or www.mvrecycle.org.
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How do I dispose of a Christmas tree?
Place undecorated green or flocked trees (without metal/plastic stands) at the curbside on your recycling collection day. Large trees over 5 feet must be cut into 5 foot lengths so they will fit in the collection truck. Foothill Disposal will collect trees at no charge until about the middle of January*. After that time, residents will need to purchase an extra garbage sticker and place it on the tree for regular garbage collection or cut the tree in small pieces to fit loosely in the yard trimmings cart. *Call Foothill Disposal at 650-967-3034 for the exact dates of the holiday tree collection period. All trees are recycled.
More information can be found at http://www.mountainview.gov/city_hall/public_works/garbage_and_recycling/holiday_tree_recycling.asp
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How do I dispose of heavy trash like household appliances?
Residents living in homes, mobilehomes, condos and townhouses may obtain curbside service for appliances through the On Call Plus Clean Up Appointment Program. There is an extra charge for refrigerators, air conditioners, and other appliances needing special processing. Residents receive up to three appointments per year. Appointments may also be exchanged for a free Voucher to the SMaRT Station. Call Foothill Disposal at 650-967-3034 for more information.
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How do I dispose of unused or outdated medicines?
Residents may safely dispose of unused bottle and pill medicines as follows:
Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste Program (408-299-7300) by appointment only.
Palo Alto Regional Walter Quality Plant, free drop off during busines hours at the plant year-round (650-494-7629)
Residents may also safely dispose of medicines in the trash, but should never flush them down the toilet or in the sink as medicines can pollute our waterways, harming fish and wildlife.
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How do I get a debris box?
Call Foothill Disposal at 650-967-3034.
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How do I order recycling containers?
Call Foothill Disposal at 650-967-3034 to order the recycling split-cart for homes; the recycling group toters for apartments; or cardboard and mixed recycling dumpsters for businesses.
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I have some hardcover books I need to recycle. I've heard they can't go in mixed paper. Should I take the covers off?
Hard cover books are not allowed in most curbside recycling programs because the covers and spines contain high levels of glue. You could remove the covers and spines, but that would be very difficult and time-consuming.
If you cannot donate the books for reuse*, you can recycle small amounts at the SMaRT Station’s Drop Off Center. By keeping the books separate from all other recycling, SMaRT can add a few books at a time back into the recycling process at a "contamination" level acceptable to their paper buyers.
(*For a list of used book stores or organizations accepting hard cover books for reuse, please visit www.recyclestuff.org.)
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I missed the confidential paper shredding event. How can I get rid of my papers safely? Are papers placed in the recycling cart shredded at the SMaRT Station?
If you do not have a personal shredding machine at home, there are a few options.
Check the telephone book yellow pages under "business records destruction" or "paper-shredded" for a company providing shredding services. Often they will have similar events at office supply stores. If not, these companies can provide shredding services to residents and businesses.
Typically, they charge residents $5-$10 per file box if you bring them to their location or a minimum of $90 to provide curbside service at your home. If you choose the latter service, consider asking neighbors to join you and share the cost.
Papers placed in the recycling cart are not shredded at the SMaRT Station. Papers are shipped to recycling processors where they are then shredded, pulped, dried, pressed and rolled into new feedstock to make recycled paper.
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I want to report illegal dumping.
To report illegal dumping, please contact the appropriate department or division as follows:
Residential Properties (1-4 units) or Commercial Properties: City Attorney's Office, Code Enforcement, 650-526-7713
Residential Properties (5 or more units): Fire and Environmental Protection Section, 650-903-6378
Public Streets: Public Services Division 650-903-6329
Parks and Medians: Forestry & Roadways Division 650-903-6273
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Scavengers: What should I do if I see someone taking recycling from carts or dumpsters? Are fundraisers allowed to take recycling or garbage from our containers?
Taking recyclables from garbage or recycling containers for personal gain or fundraising is called scavenging, and is a misdemeanor violation under Mountain View City Code. (See below for exceptions to fundraising.)
Recycling and garbage* become the property of the City when deposited in any container provided by the City or Foothill Disposal, and which is located at residences, businesses, schools, parks or at street festivals. This includes materials found in carts, toters, bins dumpsters, roll-off boxes, or set out for special collections or clean ups. (*Garbage is sorted at the SMaRT Station to remove recyclables.)
Reporting Scavenging
If you see someone other than the City or Foothill Disposal employees taking recyclables from garbage or recycling containers, please try to note the date and time of the occurrence, a description of the person, and the method of collection (bag, shopping cart, or vehicle with make/model and license number if easily available). Do not approach the scavenger on your own. Also, please do not give permission to fundraisers to remove recyclables from City-provided containers.
Report scavenging in process immediately by calling the Mountain View Police Department non-emergency dispatcher at (650) 903-6395. If the scavenging occurs on a regular basis, please let the dispatcher know. A police officer will try and be present at that time to warn or cite the scavenger. Violation of the City Code is a misdemeanor and punishable by fine or imprisonment.
Scavenging Hurts
Scavenging is prohibited by Mountain View City Code for a variety of reasons. The act of scavenging creates a public nuisance of noise and litter, and can make residents feel threatened by someone going through their containers. The revenue from recycling is used to help offset the costs of collection and keeps utility rates low.
Fundraising
Fundraising activities are allowed under certain conditions, but no fundraiser may remove recycling from City-provided garbage and recycling containers even with permission from the resident or business. For example, only non-profit organizations with a special recycling fundraising permit from the City may collect recycling if it is: (1) set aside for them by the donor; (2) placed in a bag or box on private property away from regular containers; and is (3) collected on a different day than scheduled garbage and recycling collection.
If you have any questions, please contact recycling staff at 650-903-6311.
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What environmental events does Mountain View have each year?
Free Paper Shredding Event is held in March in the parking lot of St. Joseph's Church at the corner of Castro & Church streets. This event helps residents protect their identity and recycle confidential documents, tax returns, credit cards, disks, etc. The event is held in conjunction with California Arbor Day, which is usually the second Saturday in March. More information about paper shredding opportunities can be found in another FAQ (scroll up).
Arbor Day is held on the second Saturday in March at Pioneer Park and offers many public awareness and educational opportunities, such as home composting, mercury thermometer exchange, and safe medications disposal. Services offered may vary, so please look for announcements and updated pages on our website during the Spring.
Citywide Garage Sale Day is held annually the first Saturday in May to help residents get rid of unwanted clutter and make their gently used items available for purchase by other residents at garage sales held at individual homes throughout the City. This event is sometimes held in conjunction with the Community Yard Sale at Rengstorff Park, which is held on the second Saturday in May. Sometimes the dates in May vary and are scheduled depending on other events such as Mother's Day and A La Carte & Art. Visit our home page at www.mvrecycle.org and click on Events for updated information.
National River Clean Up in May and California Coastal Clean Up Day in September is handled by the Fire Department, Urban Runoff Program.
Earth Day is Every Day and we encourage you to take advantage of a variety of volunteer activities advertised in newspapers, radio, televisions and the internet in the Spring. For more information, visit www.earthday.org.
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What environmental events does the City sponsor?
Although Earth Day is April 22nd annually, the City has a variety of environmental events year-round. The following is a summary of events:
Confidential Paper Shredding Day
Safe Medications Disposal Day
Thermometer Exchange
Above events are held in conjunction with California Arbor Day on the second Saturday in March in Pioneer Park near the Library. The Confidential Paper Shredding Day is held in the parking lot of St. Joseph's Church on Castro Street on the same day.
Citywide Garage Sale
Community Yard Sale
Above events are held annually in May, with the Citywide Garage Sale being held at homes throughout Mountain View the first Saturday in May, and the Community Yard sale being held at Rengstorff Park on the second Saturday in May. Updated information will be posted on www.mvrecycle.org under "Events" in April.
Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Event
is held on Saturdays through the year at a variety of locations. Call 408-299-7300 or visit www.mvrecycle.org and click on household hazardous waste and e-waste for more information.
Home Composting Workshops
are held monthly on Saturdays throughout the year at the Rengstorff Community Center and other locations. Call 408-918-4640 or visit www.mvrecycle.org and click on home composting for more information.
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When is the garbage and recycling collection on my street?
Please click on the link below to determine your collection day or contact Foothill Disposal at 650-967-3034.
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When is the next free confidential paper shredding event?
Free confidential paper shredding events are held annually on the second Saturday in March. The next one will be held as follows:
Saturday, March 14, 2009
11 am to 1 pm
(rain or shine)
Parking lot of St. Joseph's Church
(corner of Castro and Church Streets)
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Bring unwanted tax returns, bank statements, medical records, diskettes, CDs, DVDs, VCR tapes, or old credit cards.
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Paper in binders and notebooks or with staples, paperclips or binder clips are accepted.
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Limit 2 paper grocery bags or cardboard storage boxes (10"x12"x24")
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Enter to win a personal paper shredder
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Learn about crime prevention and recycling
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Sponsored by Public Works, Police & Shred-It Corp.
Can't wait? Click here for other options.
Questions? Call Public Works at 650-903-6311
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Where can I dispose of medicines, sharps, lancets, and thermometers? Is there an annual event?
Residents can safely dispose of medicines, sharps, lancets, thermometers and other household hazardous wastes through the Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste program by calling 408-299-7300 for an appointment.
The City often has an annual event for drop off off of old medicines and a thermometer exchange (these are the only items) at the annual Arbor day on the second Saturday in March. Walgreens on Rengstorff also has an annual event for disposal of medicines in May.
Information about where to dispose of consumer electronic hazardous wastes such as computer monitors, televisions and other electronics can also be found at the link provided below.
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Where is the nearest city dump site?
The new "dump" is the SMaRT Station, where residents and businesses can drop off garbage, recycling and yard trimmings for recycling or disposal. SMaRT is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Contact the SMaRT Station at 408-752-8530 for rates and more information.
The SMaRT Station is also a Buy-Back and Drop-Off Center. Residents may redeem California Refund Value bottles and cans or drop off household recyclable containers, scrap metal, plastic bags, cardboard and mixed paper at no charge. The Station also accepts used motor oil, vehicle fluids, fluourescent tubes, computer monitors, televisions, and hypodermic needles at no charge. Click on the link below for more information about E-waste and Hazardous Waste disposal.
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