Berkeley
California
City Of Berkeley News - November 25, 2022
Government and Politics
November 26, 2022
From: City Of BerkeleyReduce your holiday tree waste this season
Buy or rent a living tree; learn composting guidelines
When selecting your tree this holiday season, consider a plan that reduces waste and is made with the City's disposal rules in mind for when the season is over.
Living trees can be rented for the season or planted in your yard after the holidays and avoid waste altogether.
If you decide to buy a cut tree or have other ideas for your holiday tree experience, know how to dispose of it later.
Decorations, trimmings, and treatments are not compostable
If you're considering a cut tree, know that we only compost the tree itself. Avoid trees that have been "flocked" - covered with chemicals mimicking snow - as they cannot be composted.
When it's time to dispose of a compostable tree, you’ll have to remove all lights, decorations, tinsel, plastic bags, and plastic tree stands. You'll have to cut them to fit inside your green compost cart with the lid closed (for example, less than 3 feet long).
If you don't have the tools to cut your tree to fit into your cart, use the Berkeley Tool Lending Library, located at 1901 Russell Street, for free tool rental.
Trees left on the curb won't get picked up as they can damage City side-loader collection trucks.
Tree drop-off schedule
You may prefer dropping off discarded trees at the Transfer Station:
City of Berkeley Transfer Station
1201 2nd Street (off Gilman Avenue)
Monday - Saturday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Closed Christmas and New Year's days
Fees:
Compostable trees: free drop-off for compostable trees in January; starting February 1, $27.75 plus $3.50 Environmental Compliance Fee
Flocked or plastic trees: $38.50 fee plus $3.50 Environmental Compliance Fee
As you celebrate the holidays, the City's Zero Waste Division also hopes you take some steps to reduce holiday waste.
Links
City of Berkeley Transfer Station
Artists sought for two public art projects at Aquatic Park
Calling all professional artists! Submit qualifications to be considered for two separate public art projects, a sculptural art series or a wall project.
The sculptural art series is intended to inspire movement and exploration and would be placed at several locations along Aquatic Park Trail or Bolivar Drive or both.
The wall project – which would be placed on a prominent, large, curved wall near Aquatic Park’s northwest entry path – would translate two-dimensional imagery to tile, mosaic or other permanent material.
These projects each would need to enhance the Aquatic Park experience by beautifying its context, reflecting the multi-layered history of the site, and highlighting its ecological importance. Each piece or series would also need to be able to withstand public interaction and the natural elements.
Get more details on each project’s application portal: Sculpture and Bay Trail Wall. Professional, practicing artists living in the United States are eligible and must apply by December 12 at 5:00 p.m.
Apply by Nov. 29 for seismic retrofit grants
Income-qualified households can get reimbursed for the full cost of a seismic upgrade to their home, while others can qualify for up to $3,000 for making their foundations more resilient to earthquakes.
To qualify for a lottery to get these refunds, Berkeley homeowners should sign up for the state's Earthquake Brace + Bolt rebate program by November 29. Those households with annual incomes below $72,080 can qualify for up to 100 percent of the seismic retrofit cost.
Apply online for Earthquake Brace + Bolt
Phone: (877) 232-4300
Eligibility: owner-occupied single-family residences and small multifamily buildings (1-4 units) in Berkeley and other eligible zip codes
Bracing and bolting have a big impact in a community like Berkeley, where older homes may not have the seismic protections required of newer construction.
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