PLEASE SEPARATE NEWSPAPER WASTE
FROM OTHER PAPER WASTE!

THE RECYCLING DRIVE

On the last Saturday of every month (except when it falls on Christmas Day or Thanksgiving Weekend) volunteers organized by the Rossmoor Homeowners Association (RHA) gather at the Rush Park parking lot on Blume Drive to load up to three of those big blue bins full of newspapers and other waste paper products (books, magazines, cardboard, etc.) provided by CR&R. The recyclable cans and bottles are taken to a different recycling facility. Remember we cannot take your glass bottles.

The collection takes place from 8 AM to 12 NOON in the Rush Park parking lot. Follow the signs and PLEASE REMAIN IN YOUR VEHICLE when entering the collection area.

The Paper Drive started with collection of 15,500 pounds in July of 1995. As of September 2009, the total collection was over 3,500 tons or 7,000,000 pounds. This sustained effort is an outstanding example of volunteerism and has contributed much to protection of our environment and to the quality of life in Rossmoor. Total volunteer time is estimated to be over 5,600 hours and resource savings have been equivalent to over 53,600 35-ft tall trees and 12,900,000 kilowatt hours of electrical energy (enough to power about 1,580 homes for a year). And, of course, after expenses we have generated over $100,000 in funds that have been used to:

• Purchase of construction and equipment for the Rush Park Tot Lot
• Purchase of parkway trees
• Purchase of equipment and construction of the kitchen at Rush Park
• Purchase of equipment and construction of the Triangle Park outside the wall at the southeast corner of Rossmoor
• Payment for painting house numbers on curbs every few years to help emergency responders to find homes
• Support of annual Rossmoor picnics and other community wide projects
• Help fund High School student scholarships and LAEF programs
• Landscaping upgrade of the Rush Park Auditorium access area
• Donations to community organizations benefiting Rossmoor residents

Another valuable benefit of the Paper Drive continues to be as a source of opportunity for high school student volunteers to accumulate community service hours that are valuable in college applications. The RHA believes this also makes everyone who participates or contributes paper aware of the importance of volunteerism.

Shirley Bailey, Jim Alexander, Larry Pace, Bill Gekler, and Mike Davis have energized and sustained the Rossmoor Recycles Program and continue to be valuable resources in guiding our effort and infusing enthusiasm. The CR&R waste management company has been very supportive of our effort, providing the bins for the paper and hauling the bins at no cost to the RHA. Currently Bill Gekler continues as coordinator for the Paper Drive.

How can you help Rossmoor continue to be a leader in recycling?

In recent months collections have dropped. Therefore, the RHA is asking all Rossmoor residents not now bringing their papers to the Rossmoor Recycles event to consider doing so. Some factors contributing to this drop in collection are smaller (thinner) newspapers, the use of internet and TV as the source of news and information.

RULES FOR ROSSMOOR RECYCLES

Newspaper Waste Includes:

Everything in local and regional newspapers and phone books with covers removed.

Other Paper Waste Includes:

• Cardboard, Cartons, etc…
• Books, Phone Book Covers, and Magazines
• Confetti or Shredded Paper

Rules for Collection of Cans and Plastic Bottles

Please put your plastic bottles and cans in separate bags/containers.

Acceptable Containers Must Be Labeled with one of the following:

“California Redemption Value”
“CA Redemption Value”
“California Cash Refund”
“CA Cash Refund” “CA CRV”

• Please Make Sure Containers Are Empty
• Deliver pre-sorted Cans and Bottles to the volunteers at the Recyclables Collection Stationopposite the Paper Collection Bins
• Put Unsorted Cans and Bottles on the Table
• We can  no longer accept glass recyclables due to issues with broken glass and the potential hazards.  We appreciate your understanding.