Everyone has some hazardous waste items around the house.  It is tempting to just throw those items away.  Chowchilla is too far to drive for some residents of Madera County.  The Madera County Supervisors have approved a, one day only, household hazardous waste and electronic waste collection day for Madera County.

It is very critical that hazardous items not reach the landfill.  The collections will be held on April 19, 2008 at Yosemite High School.   Collection times are from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm.  There is a limit as to what you can bring though.  They will accept 125 pounds of solids and 15 gallons of liquids dropped off per trip.

Only certain items will be accepted:  motor oil, antifreeze, grease, batteries, brake fluid, insect spray, pool chemicals, pesticides and weed killer.  They will also accept:  drain cleaners, spot removers, mothballs, oven cleaners, aerosol cans, deodorizers, solvents, paint, paint remover, art supplies, photographic chemicals, wood preservatives and ammonia based cleaners.

They will be collecting many electronics too.  Televisions sets, printers, computers, cell phones, radios….basically, anything with a cord can be turned in.

They are not able to collect any:  radioactive material, compressed gas cylinders or medical waste products.

If you have any questions or concerns, call (559) 675-7817 for more information.

Additionally, there will be a tire amnesty day for area residents at the waste treatment plant in Oakhurst on April 26th.  You will only be able to make a drop off if you call for an appointment first at (559) 675-7821.

Helping the environment should be a top concern for everyone, and California usually leads the charge.  The Burn Cleaner Fireplace and Woodstove Change out program has begun once again.  The exchange program is being sponsored by Operation Clean Air and the Valley Air District.

Residents in eight counties are asked to turn over their non-compliant wood stoves for a credit voucher to buy a new, more environmentally friendly heathing system.  Vouchers awarded can be used to purchase cleaner, natural gas or propane stoves and fireplace inserts.

Interested residents will need to fill out an application and provide proof of residency, which is usually a recently utility bill.  The only local authorized retailer in the area is Mountain Comforts.  Last year only six people participated in the program.  They are hoping for more this year.  The entire program helped replace more than 300 non-compliant units last year.

There is $108,000 that is available for allocation from the fund this year.  This should fund another 300 replacements.  Residents can fill out applications through April 30, 2008 or until the money runs dry.

Counties that are participating are:  Madera, Fresno, Kings, Merced, Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Tulare and some of Kern.  Only full time residents may apply for the vouchers.

If you would like more information on this worthwhile “green” project, visit www.valleyair.org or call (559) 230-6000.

E-Waste is described as electronics that have little or no further value to the consumer or business.  From VCR’s, televisions, compact disk players, cell phones to computers, etc.  It is the fastest growing solid waste generated in the United States.   Every holiday Americans receive wonderful updated electronics during the holiday season.

Environmentalists wonder where all of the old equipment will go.  Landfills are filling up nationwide.  These electronics contain harmful components that are terrible for the environment when deposited in landfills.  

E-waste creates a burden on landfills.  Toxic substances can leach into the groundwater and soil.  Harmful substances like copper, lead, mercury, arsenic, PCB’s, zinc, cadmium and nickel can be found in electronic devices. Because of the dangers, it is illegal in California to dispose of these items in landfills.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, some manufactures, retailers and service providers offer recycling of e-waste for free or for a minimal charge.  Many of the components can be easily recycled into other items for the consumer.

There are efforts begin made to ensure that harmful substances do not get deposited in any landfill and Oakhurst is jumping on board as well.  The Oakhurst Chamber of Commerce has scheduled two days to deposit your unwanted electronics.  Saturday, January 5th, and Sunday January 6th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., you can rid yourself of these unwanted items.  There are no limitations to the amount of items that you can bring.  Collection is being taken at the Chamber parking lot, next to the library.  For more information, call (559) 683-7766.

The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), in partnership with Ducks Unlimited, has announced the expansion of the California Landowner Incentive Program (LIP). Landowners who participate in this program will receive grants to fund land management activities that will benefit the plant and animal life in the state.

It may not be readily apparent, but our plants and animals are disappearing. This program is just one way to help reverse this trend.

These grants will allow landowners to restore natural habitats so that California’s lush landscape is not irreparably damaged. This effort focuses on privately owned land because officials are aware that private landowners may not be able to initiate this kind of restoration on their own. Not only are they provided financial assistance, they are also providing technical assistance as well. DFG really wants to make sure that these efforts succeed, so they do not expect landowners to execute this restoration on their own.

They are turning their attention to the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. The idea is to repair and restore small parcels of marginal cropland or to rejuvenate orchards that have fallen out of use so that wildlife and return and thrive.

DFG will accept applications until January 31, 2008. Visit this website to learn more about eligibility and additional incentives.

No, not the color green as you might be thinking!

A handful of growers in the top Christmas tree producing state of Oregon have created a system in which consumers can identify which trees are grown under certain environment standards that help the environment.  Most people in the United States typically look for tree variations of size and shape.

Growers participating under this new system must adhere to certain standards for the environment and worker safety.   A farm must be inspected to check for standards in soil and water conservation measures, as well as check for standards in the nutrients, pest control and managing wetlands.

“Consumers like to do the right thing,” said Joe Sharp, managing partner of Yule Tree Farms and co-founder of the Coalition of Environmentally Conscious Growers.  “We are just helping with education.”
 
These trees are not organically grown, but the measures put forth are helping reduce the environmental dangers of Christmas tree farming.  Dangers that are minimized are erosion and the use of excessive pesticides.

Only some trees grown with these new standards will be seen in the market this year.  There will be more than 200,000 special tags hanging on certain trees.  These tags will indicate that the trees are grown according to the coalition’s standards.  Consumers who buy these trees will know that it is grown with the best intentions for the environment.

There are currently many other tree growers on a waiting list preparing for inspection.  They hope to join the three large tree growers that are part of this environmental friendly group.  The coalition is hoping to take the tag system nationwide in the near future and servicing the nearly 29 million households who bought a fresh Christmas tree in 2006.
 

Recycling computer cartridges and cell is a worthwhile thing to do. But how do you do it and where do you do it so it is quick and easy, and not another chore. It just got easier!

Madera Chamber of Commerce is working with America’s Schools Program to help preserve the environment and fund educational programs. They split the proceeds to support programs and membership, and ASP’s local K-12 schools. It is a win-win for businesses, schools, kids and the environment. Parents will like it too. It teaches your kids a valuable life lesson, too.

All you have to do to get started is register online, and a starter kit will be sent to you in the mail. This is a no cost program and it couldn’t be easier. You will receive free, postage-paid recycling boxes that can be sent by return mail. So put your old cell phones to good use helping other people, and turn your recyclables into cash for local schools.

To get started today, register at http://www.americas-schools.org/cc/madera/. Your local contact at the Madera Chamber of Commerce (www.maderachamber.com) is Cindy Mindt who can be reached at (559) 673-3563.The program is run in cooperation with State School Boards Associations throughout the country, so your friends and relatives can start their own initiative.

This weekend Madera County residents can roll up their sleeves and dig into a number of area clean-up activities. In Madera County we’ve always prided ourselves on working to maintain the natural beauty that surrounds us. With the arrival of autumn next Sunday, this weekend is a perfect time to get started on fall clean-up projects. So drag out the shovels, rakes and trash bags and do your part to keep Madera County beautiful.

• Sierra Vista National Scenic Byway Work Day: Saturday, September 22, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Clean up at Jackass Meadow. For details and carpool information, call 559-877-3952 or 559-683-6658.
• Chowchilla Community Curbside Cleanup: Saturday, September 22. Chowchilla’s free community clean up for single-family residences is this Saturday. This once a year, one day only event is the perfect time to clean out your garage and basement and get rid of all that trash and clutter. Green waste, recyclables and household junk will be collected. Click here for a list of acceptable and unacceptable items or call 559-665-8615, ext. 305. Waste must be placed curbside BEFORE 6 a.m. on September 22 to guarantee FREE pick up. Click here for details.