With global climate change issues gathering increased attention from celebrities,

politicians, and even the Pope it's no wonder that people worldwide are starting to really take note and work towards improving the environment. Closer to home, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors has released some new policies concerning green development and residential improvements as well as taken a firm stance to crack down on illegal dumping. As a Zero Waste Community it is refreshing to know that for years Fontana has been an active participant in the promotion of a cleaner environment through Community Cleanups and Recycling Programs.

On Saturday, October 27 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., many Fontana residents will take advantage of the semi-annual Community Cleanup & Recycling Day which is one of the easiest and most economical ways for families to help

divert harmful Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) from the landfill. Being green then becomes as simple as hauling batteries, car and light truck tires (limit of 4), computer monitors, E-Waste, fluorescent light bulbs, general refuse, large yard and tree trimmings, refrigerators or other appliances, furniture, TVs and Electronics to the Public Works Yard at 16454 Orange Way.

According to Bob Makowski, Public Works environmental control technician, Fontana usually has a strong turnout to the cleanups.

"As always, we are preparing for an epic turnout this October. It is so very rewarding to witness first hand, the citizens of Fontana being so proactive regarding the proper disposal of household hazardous waste," says Makowski.

Community Cleanups are offered every October and April and are sponsored by the City of Fontana, County of San Bernardino, and Burrtec Waste, Inc. To find out more, or for a

listing of other locations within the county, please call (909) 350-6760. To encourage recycling at home, families are being asked to save aluminum cans for the month-long Cans for Cash event in October which is sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Keep America Beautiful, and Novellis. In the last two years, Fontana has become a model city in this contest and this year looks to be just as promising as years past.

The challenge for 2007 will be to collect enough aluminum to continue on as the leaders for another year. Says Makowski, "The residents and various groups throughout the city will band together in the month of October and aggressively defend the national championship title in the Can for Cash contest."

In 2006, Fontana won first place in the annual Cans for Cash recycling contest. This followed another successful year, when in 2005, the city took second place in the nationwide contest.

Each year, participating communities are broken down into one of four divisions based on population size. While Fontana has consistently led the way for recycling the most aluminum, there are a total of three categories in which cities may compete to include the

most cans recycled, the most innovative idea, and partnership with a Keep America Beautiful affiliate. Last year, Fontana collected a total of 213,515 pounds of aluminum while Tallahassee, FL, won the same population category for the most innovative program. Both cities were given checks for $5,000 to use towards recycling programs and educational outreach.

Beginning Monday, October 1 all area recycling centers will accept aluminum cans for the drive. The Cans for Cash event will stop on Wednesday, October 31. Citizen participation will help to contribute to a reduction in the amount of recyclable items that might otherwise end up in the landfill and may help Fontana win another $5,000 to aide in the recycling program.

To learn more about recycling and helping the environment, the City of Fontana Public Works Information Guide or Guía de Información del Departamento de Servicios Publicos offers a great step-by-step outline to recycling, Community Cleanup Events, composting, alternatives to household chemicals, and an itemized listing of HHW.

For more information please call the Environmental office at (909) 350-6531 or visit the Public Works Department online at www.fontana.org. To find out more about Solid Waste and Recycling within the Fontana area, please visit www.ZeroWasteCommunities.org or www.burrtec.com. A website is being developed for the San Bernardino County Green Campaign. Please visit www.greencountysb.gov. For more information about the Cans for Cash program, please visit the Council of Mayors website at www.usmayors.org or Keep America Beautiful at www.kab.org.