San Mateo County Facilities The recycling program for county employees Welcome San Mateo County Employees San Mateo County employees can be proud of the recycling happening at County facilities. Recycling and waste reduction meet the following goal of Shared Vision 2010, "Important natural resources are preserved and enhanced through environmental stewardship." San Mateo County should strive to set an example for other businesses by having a successful recycling program, and this will only happen with the participation of every employee.

RecycleWorks and Custodial Services have set up an extensive recycling program throughout County facilities that saves natural resources and County dollars every day. The more we recycle, the lower our garbage bills. Explore the links to the left for specific information about recycling and environmental programs at County facilities.

RecycleWorks provides assistance and education to all County departments and offices. Any employee can contact RecycleWorks with suggestions, and RecycleWorks will follow up appropriately. Some of the services available include:

• Assistance setting up internal office recycling and waste reduction programs
• Bin options and signage
• Assistance with recycling unusual materials such as binders, CDs, food, etc.
• Help with acquiring used items or products with recycled content
• Management of external trash and recycling bin service
• Set up new recycling service with waste hauler
• Stop illegal dumping
• Realize opportunities to save money by throwing away less

According to the Department of Conservation, the overall recycling rate for bottles and cans in California is 59% statewide. In a 2004 survey of employees at County Center, RecycleWorks discovered that on average employees recycle bottles & cans at work 60% of the time. Despite having access to a recycling bin on their floor, respondents said they would recycle more if a bin were closer to their desk. We encourage you to recycle 100% of the time. Here's some motivation. From the energy saved from recycling ONE aluminum can, you could watch Seinfeld, Gilligan's Island, the Osbournes, King of the Hill and Clifford back-to-back. Recycle. It's worth the extra step.

If you have questions, or you would like to set up a new program at your site, have a missed pick-up or would like to order more recycling bins, contact Danielle Lee, the County Facilities Recycling Coordinator at 650-599-1468 or send an email to RecycleWorks in the Groupwise email system.