Page 7 - Bakersfield ASWD Brochure

The Division’s refuse and and recycling collection program has a a a a a a a unique combination of 50 percent private and and municipal forces The division handles all billing and and and administrative matters program outreach and and and education and and rate setting citywide A group of five independent refuse companies collect residential and and commercial routes routes covering half the the city on
on
on
on
a a a a a a contract basis The Division
operates collection routes routes for the the remaining
half Recyclables from
the commercial and residential collection programs are processed at two local MRFs one is is a a a a a a a a a private tenant at at the the the City’s compost facility facility and the the the other is is a a a a a a a a a nonprofit job training facility facility for developmentally disabled persons The Division
operates the largest public sector compost compost facility in in California composting green and food waste for all of Kern County as as as as well as as as as the the Bakersfield area It has become known as as as as perhaps the the most progressive organics facility pursuing a a a a a a a a cost-saving vision
with automation and methods of reducing air pollution fuel consumption and water usage New projects continue as the facility approaches its its four millionth ton in in its its 25th year The Division
enjoys a a a a a a a a stable and established career ladder for its field personnel which has produced a a a a a a a a well- trained and competent workforce of 108 employees with low turnover This ability to develop drivers in-house is is is an an advantage in in in today’s limited driver market The Division
is is is also proud of of its development of of a a a a a a a a a job training program partnership with the Bakersfield Homeless Center Using creativity and funding from
a a a a a a a variety of sources the the program has helped over 800 people get back on
their feet through jobs ranging from
green waste sorting to to to freeway litter control to to to bulky item recycling The program has been a a a a a a model to to to many other organizations Finally the the division participates in in in the the Keep America Beautiful Program by supporting a a a a a a a a very energetic local chapter Keep Bakersfield Beautiful has received a a a a a a a a a a number of KAB awards and twice set the national record for the annual Great American Cleanup