TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to effect the conversion of City-owned land at 1850-1854 Atlantic Avenue to a Refuse Fund asset; and authorize Department of Public Works, Environmental Services Bureau, to begin a process of public outreach and consensus building to determine support for an Urban Environmental Education Center at 1850-1854 Atlantic Avenue. (District 6)
DISCUSSION
The Environmental Services Bureau (ESB) has consistently achieved the State's highest diversion rate as mandated under the California Integrated Waste Management Act (AB 939). This year, ESB tied for first place with a 69 percent diversion and recycling rate. Additionally, ESB received the 2009 Solid Waste Management System Gold Excellence Award from the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA).
In part, this success is derived from ESB's focus on public education and outreach programs, which include partnering with the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD), and the Litter-free Long Beach Campaign. ESB continues to promote environmental protection by using creative and engaging public education and outreach campaigns that communicate on a personal level, incorporate multi-lingual, multicultural and multi-media messages, and present innovative and technologically advanced themes of environmental protection and personal responsibility.
One innovative approach to further educate the community is through an Urban Environmental Education Center (Center). The concept of this Center is to provide an educational and partnering opportunity for the City and LBUSD to present children and young adults with interactive modules that demonstrate how recycling occurs and the resultant environmental benefits. The design will include thematic concepts, such as conversion technology and simple ways to make your home or apartment more earth friendly. Siting for this Center has been focused on dense urban areas, near schools, and along main transportation corridors.
City-owne...
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