Celebrate Earth Day at The Davis Street Transfer Station.

Free Earth-Friendly Event Features Family Fun and Education, April 12

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Ever wondered what happens to your curbside recycling and waste once it leaves your curbside? Here's your chance to find out. To commemorate Earth Day, the Davis Street Transfer Station in San Leandro will open its doors for on Saturday, April 12, during which visitors can get an up-close glimpse of the Station's newest recycling center, a $9 million state-of-the-art facility, that processes nearly all of the recycling for the East Bay. "Few people actually understand what happens to their recycling once it leaves their house," said Rebecca Jewell, Recycling Program Manager for the Davis Street Transfer Station. "It's confusing, sometimes, for people to know what can and cannot be recycled and why. Cities all over Alameda County have set goals of Zero Waste for the coming decades. What better time than Earth Day to offer the public a rare behind-the-scenes look at how the recycling process actually works and what we will all need to do to reach our recycling goals and mitigate our carbon footprints."

In addition to facility tours, visitors can also visit the Davis Street Garden Center, where green waste and food waste collected from throughout the East Bay is sold to the public as compost and garden materials. Throughout the day, a Master Composter from StopWaste.org will offer hands-on gardening tips to visitors. "We have some of the best compost you can find anywhere," said Jewell. "All of our compost and mulch is made from food, green, and wood waste collected form our customers. The material is then composted and brought back here for use in gardens throughout the Bay Area." Each visitor to the Earth Day event will get a free bag of compost while supplies last.

The family-oriented program also includes a performance by the Earthcapades, a "green" raffle, and sustainable-themed door prizes offered throughout the day. Visitors will also find helpful information on building green, and during the Earth Day event only, guests can drop off their old electronics and other e-waste free of charge.

The Earth Day Event is Saturday, April 12, 10am-2pm. The Davis Street Transfer Station is located at 2615 Davis Street in San Leandro.

For more information, please contact Rebecca Jewell at 510-563-4214.