New Civility Rules for Used Books, Other Items 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 .

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 Wednesday 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

A copy of the poster is attached to this article. The April 4 meeting will held at the Recycling Center at 7501 Schmidt Lane.

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