Press Release

Simi Valley, March 17, 2010 - The clouds are clearing away, temperatures are rising, and the sun is shining - on the big mess we’ve made since last spring! That’s right, it’s March: so let’s “march” in our closets, attics, garages or whatever else has become cluttered in the past year and start the early part of 2010 right. Waste Management has compiled a variety of tips to help you execute your battle plan flawlessly:

1. Sort your waste properly. Much of what we no longer need can often be recycled. As they say, “one’s man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” and no one believes that more than us. Items like old clothes, cell phones and even computers can be donated for another person’s use. There are some items that can’t be reused and cannot be put with the regular trash. This trash, called household hazardous waste (HHW), includes items like batteries, paint, oil, medications and electronic waste (e-waste) such as cell phones and televisions should be properly disposed of at local drop off locations. Check with your local WM office for a full list.

2. Dispose of your waste properly. As tempting as it may be, make sure your trash ends up in the right place; don’t become a perpetrator of illegal dumping! Illegal dumping costs taxpayers millions every year, and causes a host of health and economic problems, including providing breeding grounds for pests and lowering home values. This also includes disposing of liquids properly, which means keeping them out of storm drains. Pouring improper liquids down storm drains pollutes our rivers, streams and oceans and is not good for the environment or us.

3. Take advantage of free collection events and cost-effective drop-off centers. Each community holds various events throughout the year. Visit www.KeepingVenturaCountyClean.com for local events.

4. Use services like bulky item pick-up for the hard to get rid of items or rent a dumpster. Should you have bulky items but don’t need a whole dumpster, call us at (805) 522-9400. WM also offers roll-off containers for large clean ups and insta-bins for small projects.

“We are ready to help our valued customers, individuals and businesses alike, to meet their spring cleaning disposal needs,” said Lisa Hemenway, community relations manager for Waste Management. “Just as we value keeping the environment clean, a clean home is just as important!"

For more information about how Waste Management can help you with your disposal or recycling needs, contact Lisa Hemenway at (805) 581-1746.

Waste Management provides Ventura County with recycling, trash hauling and solid waste disposal through G.I. Industries and the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center. Waste Management has owned and operated G.I. Industries since 1998 and the SVLRC site since 1983 and employs more than 230 people in Ventura County. The SVLRC provides approximately 60% of Ventura County's daily refuse disposal needs. The company operates a "green power" program at the site that generates enough power for 2,500 homes, and clean-burning LNG powers 38 of its trucks. Waste Management is a significant contributor to area community groups. For more information visit our website www.keepingventuracountyclean.com.