How to trash your batteries
“This year a law was passed regarding proper disposal of batteries in the trash. How are we supposed to dispose? The local trash company does not provide any guidelines or instruction as to how the citizens of Gilroy should be disposing. Can you help get guidance from the trash company on this matter and publish the instructions in the newspaper and the online version? Thank you!”
Red Phone:
Good caller, Red Phone would be happy to help. It contacted South Valley Disposal and Recycling and spoke to Katie, a customer service representative. She said, “there are certain places that accept your batteries for disposal: Best Buy, ACE Hardware, RadioShack and the Senior Center. You also can call hazardous waste at 299-7300. One more option is to use a zip-loc baggy, or any plastic bag that’s clear and set it with the batteries on top of the recycle bin. This option is limited just to household batteries: A, AA, AAA or 9-volt batteries.
Katie also sent over a very helpful brochure on what residents can do with their batteries and many other types of universal waste items. It is packed with a ton of information and phone numbers. Here it is.
urbside Battery Recycling
What residents can do with automotive batteries:
1. When you purchase an automotive battery, the retailer will accept your old one at no charge.
2. Call the Santa Clara County Houshold Hazardous Waste Program at 408-299-7300.
3. San Martin Transfer Station will accept them at no charge. Located at 14070 Llagas Ave., San Martin.
What residents can do with batteries not accepted by South Valley Disposal & Recycling:
1. Gilroy Ace Hardware will accept them at the check-out counter at no charge. Located at 1260 1st Street. 408-847-5890.
2. Gilroy Best Buy will accept them at customer service counter at no charge. Located at 7011 Camino Arroyo. 408-847-0325.
3. Gilroy Senior Center will accept them in the receptionist area at no charge. Located at 7371 Hanna St. 408-848-0465.
4. Radio Shack will accept them at the sales counter at no charge. Located at 280 D 10th Street 408-847-0603.
5. Call the Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste Program at 408-299-7300 to recycle the batteries at no charge.
What residents can do with other types of universal waste:
Flourescent Light Bulbs and Tubes
1. Gilroy Ace Hardware will accept them at the check-out counter. Located at 1260 First St, 408-847-5890.
2. If you are a business or school, call the Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste Program at 408-299-7300.
Electronic Items:
1. Western Recycling located at 16290 Railroad Ave., Morgan Hill, accepts electronic waste (except cell phones) at no charge. They are open Monday – Saturday, 9am to 5pm, 408-779-1781.
Televisions and Computer Monitors:
1. Western Recycling in Morgan Hill accepts them at no charge.
2. San Martin Transfer Station will accept them for a fee. Located at 14070 Llagas Ave., San Martin.
Mercury Containing Devices:
To dispose of thermometers, thermostats and other mercury-containing devices, call Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste Program at 408-299-7300.
For More Information call: 408-842-3358
new gpd aka gotham city
“I’m sure it’s a spectacular facility and I’ve enjoyed watching its progress via the city’s camera, but looking at the photo of Asst. Chief Lanny Brown standing next to one wall of the new building I can’t help but wonder – when will the gargoyles be installed?”
Red Phone:
Ahh caller, good imagination. If you missed the column earlier this week check it out at gilroydispatch.com. Brown said he is looking for creative ideas to detract from the ominous appearance of the new Gilroy Police Headquarters. So, don’t worry. I don’t think gargoyles are in landscaping plans but a nice, colorful mural might be.
doggies on the run
I hope my thoughts will make some dog owners think twice about having their dogs off their leashes in public places. I adopted a dog that has aggression issues with other dogs. with the help of a local dog trainer I have learned how to manage her aggression. She is never off leash when she is out in public and I make wide circles or move off the path when I see other dogs coming especially, those off-leash. While walking on the path at the Ranch Site of Christmas Hill Park, I saw woman coming toward me with two black labs off-leash. I purposely left the path and walked quickly in the other direction to avoid the dogs. All of a sudden, one of the labs started running full-speed toward us with the owner doing nothing.
I yelled for her to call her dog, she still did nothing and the dog continued to charge us. When the dog was within two-feet of us, still running full-speed, I sprayed it with my dog repellent spray, once I sprayed the dog two times, he backed off and returned to his owner. I then started to put more distance between the labs and my dog and I. The other dog also ran toward us and I had to spray it. The owner was having a difficult time restraining the first dog and did not appear to have a leash with her. After traveling a safe distance I saw one of the labs charging at another dog.
Please follow the law and put them on a leash, just because you say your dog ‘Just wants to play’ doesn’t mean all other dogs do, in fact, both dogs may end up seriously injured.
Red Phone:
Good point caller, no one wants to incur any peril with their pets. Red Phone contacted Denise Jungling, Commissioner of Parks and Recreation for the city. She also emphasized the fact there is a city ordinance which enforces the law that dogs must be on leashes at all times.
“The leash law is in effect at all parks in the city, however the new Las Animas master plan does have a place for a dog park,” Jungling said.
This weekend at Christmas Hill Park is AKC Responsible Dog Ownership day, all owners aspiring to improve in all aspects can attend. The event is Sunday from 10am to 3pm call 846-8836 for details.