Help Indian Wells Get Greener!

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the recycling rate in the United States has increased from less than 10 percent of municipal solid waste generated in 1980 to 34 percent in 2010. What’s more, waste disposal in landfills has decreased from 89 percent in 1980 to approximately 54 percent in 2010. Yet there is still a long way to go to ensure that materials that can be recycled or reused don’t end up in our landfills.

The City of Indian Wells, in partnership with Burrtec Waste and Recycling Services, offers Indian Wells residents much more than weekly trash and recycling collection. Below please find an overview of our community’s diverse year-round and seasonal recycling initiatives in which all residents are encouraged to participate:

	Annual Citrus Collection January 1 through April 30, 2012 Residents may drop off freshly picked, unwanted citrus fruit at the collection site just north of City Hall near the fire station. Your generous donation will help to feed the hungry throughout the Coachella Valley. No tangerines, please.
	Bulky Item Pick-Up Refrigerators, bed frames and patio furniture: These are only a sampling of oversized items that Indian Wells residents can dispose of via a free “bulky item” collection service (limit of four items for free per pick-up; additional items will be collected at $10 each). Bulky items must be placed near the regular trash containers by 7:00 a.m. on the day a bulky item pick-up has been scheduled. To arrange a pick-up, call Burrtec customer service at (760) 340-2113.
	Christmas Tree Recycling From December 26 through the second week of January, Burrtec will collect Christmas trees on residents’ regular trash collection day. Trees must be cut into four-foot lengths or smaller, bundled, and placed next to the trash containers. Flocked trees must also be cut into four-foot lengths and placed next to the trash containers. Unfortunately, flocked trees cannot be recycled and are destined for the landfill.
	Document Shredding Events Saturday, January 28, 2012 and Saturday, April 28, 2012 Minimizing opportunities for identity theft and promoting paper recycling are two reasons why the City sponsors two no-limit Document Shredding Events every year. Events are held at Burrtec’s Palm Desert office located at 41575 Eclectic Street from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. Proof of Indian Wells residency is required (no commercial businesses, please). Paper clips and staples are acceptable, but no 3-ring binders, please.

Sharps Program/Household Hazardous Waste/Electronic Waste
Placing medical waste, particularly needles and lancets, in your trash container can be dangerous to those collecting the material. To safely dispose of needles and other medical “sharps,” please place the used instruments in a puncture-resistant container with a secure cap. Mark the container “sharps” or visit City Hall for free “BioHazard” stickers for your container.

Once the container is full, please call Burrtec at (760) 340-2113 and Burrtec will arrange to collect the material along with any other household hazardous waste you have at no charge. Household hazardous waste materials include paint, motor oil, chemicals, pesticides, batteries, and fluorescent lamps. Electronic waste includes TVs, computers, phones, monitors, printers, small appliances, and basically any gadget with a cord or battery power source.