Davis's Move-Out Recycling Program Wins Award; How Could It Get Even Better?

We did a story last summer about the at the start and end of each university quarter in Davis, when students move in and out of their apartments. 

We interviewed Davis resident Larry Fisher, who is known for rescuing "trash" from the city's dumpsters so it can be reused or repaired before its taken away. 

"In the old days we used to repair microwave ovens," said Fisher. "Who would send their microwave in for repair now?" He has found functional toasters, chainsaws, and even washing machines that were bound for the landfill. 

Fisher's stories, , show that there is plenty of room for improvement. But the City of Davis Recycling Program has been headed in the right direction, at least as far as state recognition is concerned. 

Davis won the California Resource and Recovery Association's 2012 Pavitra Crimmel Reuse Award for its Apartment Move-Out Waste Reduction Program. 

"This award recognizes special achievement by a private business, government agency, community-based organization or school in the reuse of materials," said the city in a release. 

Here's a bit more about the city's recent award. Let us know how you feel about Davis's reuse and recycling programs in the comments below.

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“The CRRA Awards Committee was impressed by the efforts and strides your program has made over the years to promote reuse and recycling during what can be a challenging move-out rush. Hopefully the efforts you make through this program plant a long-lasting seed that students will carry forward with them during the various moves that have throughout their lives.”

The Apartment Move-Out Waste Reduction Program is a yearly effort by the City Recycling Program to encourage reusing and reducing the amount of waste that happens during the yearly August student turnover. At the end of August, Davis Recycling staff will set up donation stations at participating apartment properties, and residents at those apartments can donate items they no longer want or need. Local non-profit groups and other apartment residents stop by and take the items they want. The end result is that good, usable items are kept out of the trash.

This year, AMOWRP donation stations will be set up August 27 and will remain until September 1.

Volunteers are still needed for the AMOWRP to organize items in the donation stations (place cushions on sofas, bag up clothing and shoes, stack books, and dishes, etc.) August 27 - September 1. Volunteers are encouraged to keep any donated items they wish—it’s like a free garage sale! Volunteers are required to attend a training meeting, commit to work a minimum of 2 hours and fill out the required paperwork prior to participating. Training meetings times are: 

• Friday, July 27 at 3:00 p.m. at the Public Works Department 1717 5^th Street
• Wednesday, August 1 at 3:00 p.m. at the Public Works Department 1717 5^th Street
• Monday, July 30 at 2:00 p.m. at the Lounge in the Hallmark Inn, 110 F Street

If you are available at the end of August and are interested in making a difference for the environment, contact the City Recycling Program (757-5686 or PWweb@cityofdavis.org) to sign up for the move-out program.

Only residents living in apartment communities that are participating in the AMOWRP may use the donation stations. Since the donation stations are on private property, public use would be considered illegal dumping. If you are moving out, there are other ways to reuse and recycle your unwanted items.  Household goods, clothing and furniture in good condition can be donated to several local non-profit groups and thrift stores.  For a full list of places to take your unwanted items for reuse, check out the City of Davis Recyclopedia at DavisRecycling.org, or call the Public Works Department at 757-5686