Livermore Woman Shares Title of Top Recycler

Alameda County's top recyclers faced off Monday at a tie-breaking "sort-off" after a three-month recycling contest to determine who was best at separating cans from food scraps from landfill waste. 

The "Ready, Set, Recycle" contest throughout Alameda County encouraged residents to use their recycling skills, and the top recyclers were awarded with a $500 prize.

Three finalists with the least amount of recyclable and compostable materials in their trash as tracked throughout the contest competed Monday for the top recycling title. The competition was organized through StopWaste.org, also known as the joint agency for the Alameda County Waste Management Authority and the Alameda County Source Reduction and Recycling Board.

The finalists from Oakland, Hayward and Livermore sorted through many pieces of trash, recycling and compost at San Leandro's Davis Street Transfer Center.

The contest ended in a tie between Kristen Kinzel, of Livermore, and Amy Lee, of Hayward, who each won $500 for sorting 33 items in two-and-a-half minutes, contest organizers said.

StopWaste.org spokesman Jeff Becerra said the contest and sort-off encourage Alameda County residents to pay attention to how they get rid of their waste.

"The results show that people really are getting it," he said. "The No. 1 thing people can do is recycle food scraps into the green
container on a regular basis."

Alameda County has a three-cart waste system for recyclables, compostables — which include food scraps and yard clippings — and landfill material, Becerra explained.

About 900 residents participated in the contest and at least 8 percent of participants sorted their recycling, compost and trash perfectly the past three months.

All participants helped StopWaste.org with its goal of keeping landfills free of recyclables or compostables, Becerra said.

"We want those people to be recognized for their good work," he said.

Last year, only two Alameda County cities participated in what had been a pilot program. But with this year deemed a success throughout the county, the contest will continue next year, Becerra said.

Recyclers and meticulous sorters in Alameda County still can pledge to recycle and win prizes through drawings through the Ready, Set, Recycle contest website at readysetrecyclecontest.org, Becerra said.

— Bay City News Service