Definitions

Polyethylene terephthalate (also known as PET or PETE) is a thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family and is used in synthetic fibers, beverage, food, and other liquid containers; a see-through plastic with a “1” within the recycling (chasing arrow) symbol.

The City of San José hires a contractor to provide free recycling services for metal, glass, plastic, and cardboard to a limited number of events that occur on City property on a first come, first serve basis. Services include eco-station transportation to and from the event, eco-station setup, sorting, and tear-down, and transferring bags to bins/Dumpster.

Foodservice items that have been tested to meet ASTM 6400 or ASTM D6868 standards for compostability. This means that the products will decompose in a commercial composting operation within a specific timeframe and no toxins will be released during the breakdown process. These are the preferred product types for use with food so that all materials can be composted at our local facilities.

Facilities that are approved by the Director of Environmental Services and are designed, operated and permitted for the processing and transfer of solid waste, organic waste, and recyclable material.

To use or manage (natural resources) wisely; preserve; save

An eco-station is a color-coded, three-container collection system that replaces the use of single trash cans at an event (blue for glass, metal, and plastic recycling; green for compostable materials; and black for trash). Eco-stations come with color-coded corresponding signs, lids and bags.

Include food and or beverage vendors, caterers, and sampling exhibitors.

Managing waste by multiple techniques to achieve solid waste and resource conservation goals. The techniques may include waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, and other means.

A material manager is responsible for ensuring that an event maximizes waste prevention, reduction, recycling and composting. A material manager ensures that containers for public use are sufficiently available and maintained for the collection of recyclables, compostables and trash at an event, and that these resources are properly collected, sorted and processed during and after an event.

Includes all forms of containers made of glass, metal (aluminum, steel, or bi-metal) and plastic (#1 - #5).

A document provided by the hauler stating the weights of materials collected by type, date of collection, quantity and size of containers.

Preventing and reducing waste throughout a product’s production cycle and life cycle of use.