Everyone loves a challenge and in 2007, Keep Fontana Beautiful, a Public Works Environmental program began a campaign with one simple yet inspirational message: recycle. Through this program, residents are encouraged to recycle just about anything. Even oil, the natural resource no one wants to waste can be salvaged beyond what one would imagine through recycling. The City also collects Household Hazardous Waste, plastic, glass and aluminum and in turn gives back to the community.

Curbside Used Oil and Filter Recycling Program – It’s FREE!!!!

The City of Fontana is one of the few cities to offer free curbside used oil and filter recycling to residents. The service is so convenient it is almost too good to be true. Those who are talented under the hood, can use an oil change as a great opportunity to help the environment.

In order to use the curbside used oil and filter recycling program, call (909) 350-6789 to make an appointment. The city provides the free used oil recycling container and filter bucket. Simply place the bucket near your front door on the morning of the scheduled pickup and you are done. The car is running smoother, and harmful yet valuable resources are kept from being buried deep under tons of solid waste at the landfill.

Semi-Annual Clean Up Day – Helping you to Make a Difference

The Community Clean-up and Recycling Day is a semi-annual event that encourages residents to safely dispose of bulky items, Household Hazardous Wastes, electronic equipment, paint, tires, and recycling materials all in one convenient drop-off location.

Last year, the event was very successful at the West Valley Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), located at 13373 Napa Street. While not everything avoids the landfill, in excess of 600 cars lined up to receive assistance unloading their items that, like oil, may be safely disposed or recycled.

Everything has been considered at the site to include the most efficient route and stations for the drop-offs.

The next Community Clean-up Day is Saturday, October 25 from 8 am to 1 pm. This will be the perfect day to celebrate natural beauty as it is also the grand opening of Fontana Park off Summit Avenue and Lytle Creek so make sure to mark the calendar and save time for both events because after doing your best to save the environment, you can enjoy 38-acres of outdoor fun. Neither event is worth missing!

Cans for Cash – Third time is a charm

In 2006, the City of Fontana environmental program entered a nationwide annual recycling contest sponsored by the U.S. Council of Mayors, Novellis Corporation, and Keep America Beautiful. The city was intent on winning. In that year, 213,000 lbs of aluminum cans were recycled citywide. The result was a national win in the Cans for Cash contest and a check for $5,000 for further environmental outreach. In 2007, the City set out to break the records from the year before. In a period of less than one month a total of 745,000 lbs were recycled and again Fontana won national recognition and another check for $5,000.

“In this time when most communities are talking ‘green,’ Fontana is putting words to action in our recycling efforts. I am proud our community was able to defend our title back-to-back and I look forward to our 'three-peat',” says Nuaimi.

“Keep America Beautiful is pleased to be a part of this innovative program to increase recycling of beverage containers in the U.S.” says Becky Lyons Senior Vice President of Training and Affiliate Services for Keep America Beautiful, adding “The contest provides a great incentive for cities to raise the public’s awareness and in turn, participation in recycling of all materials. Winning cities are to be commended for their creative approach to recycling.“

Residents are asked to save all aluminum cans and turn them in for recycling in October. With everyone contributing to the contest Fontana will have a good chance for continued success.

Rewards for Recycling – a win/win situation all around

Recycling has several rewards in and of itself. There is the feeling on the individual level of having done something that will benefit the environment and future generations. There is the community benefit especially in the case of California where the more recycled, the more money saved for the community. By making recycling easier and more prevalent, the more recyclable materials can be diverted from the landfill.

Recognizing that rewards can be motivators, Keep Fontana Beautiful offers incentives for non-profit youth sports clubs for recycling. The Rewards for Recycling campaign has taken in excess of 18,000 pounds of recyclable CRV materials and in turn given gift certificates to clubs and teams for materials or gear.

Rewards for adults are different. The City is the home of a free resource for mulch to residents on Saturday at the Household Hazardous Waste facility from 8 am to 12 pm. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of this service or the weekly greenwaste curbside recycling.

For more information about Keep Fontana Beautiful, the Environmental Program, or any of the wonderful recycling resources available to residents, please call (909) 350-6531 or visit online at www.fontana.org.