Community Meeting on Rules for "Exchange Zone" at Recycling Center

A city-sponsored community meeting will be held April 4 on draft rules for maintaining fairness and avoiding conflict at the "Exchange Zone" at El Cerrito's soon-to-open new , 7501 Schmidt Lane.

The city is seeking public feedback on the rules.

The Exchange Zone will incorporate the popular Book Exchange from the old recycling center, which saw numerous resident complaints about about aggressive book-grabbers snatching up box-loads of used books for resale. Two men got into a physical altercation over the books, with one having his glasses knocked off, a month ago at the makeshift interim spot for the Book Exchange, according to recycling center employees.

Numerous other re-use items – such as tools, toys and CDs – will be added in the expanded Exchange Zone.

The proposed new protocol has one main rule: "Take no more than one file box of items per day."

Appearing in brackets after the rule is the further statement: "[Bulk users contact staff to access larger quantities.]"

In addition, there are seven "Rules of Conduct":

• Place accepted items in designated areas only
• Supervise your children and leave pets at home
• Parking in the facility is limited to 30 minutes
• Notify staff of issues and call 911 in an emergency
• Do not drop-off items that the City does not accept
• Do not take any items without City permission
• Do not get in or move any bins or equipment

The new rules are the latest and apparent final draft, following an earlier city draft discussed at a on the issue on Nov. 30.

"We will be providing an overview and taking comments at the community meeting next Wednesday, April 4th at 3 p.m.," said an email notice from city Environmental Analyst Garth Schultz, manager of the recycling center.

"I will take comments / answer questions for two weeks after this meeting via phone or email," he said. The final Exchange Zone rules will be posted prior to the ribbon-cutting and open house for the El Cerrito Recycling and Environmental Resource Center on Earth Day, Sunday, April 22, 4-6 p.m.

City officials had hoped to open the new Recycling Center in February, but a delay in obtaining a water hook-up has caused it to be postponed.

A draft poster with the new rules also lists items to be accepted and not accepted. The "Accepted" list says:

Small reusable items, including:

• Art Supplies
• Audio / Video Tapes
• Bicycle Parts
• Books
• CDs and DVDs
• Games
• Greeting Cards
• Hangers
• Hardware
• Magazines
• Records / LPs
• School Supplies
• Office Supplies
• Tools
• Toys

The "Not Accepted" section says:

• No inappropriate or unsafe items
• No hazardous or toxic substances or items
• El Cerrito provides no guaruntee for any exchanged item