The opening of El Cerrito's long-awaited will begin with , April 22, and then commence operations the following day, April 23, according to the facility's manager, Garth Schultz.
, from 4-6 p.m., includes a ribbon-cutting ceremony, open house, tours, hands-on activities for children and light refreshments, said Suzanne Iarla, community outreach specialist for the city.
The new El Cerrito Recycling and Environmental Resource Center was built at the same site, at the eastern end of Schmidt Lane, as the old Recycling Center, which ceased operations last May 1.
The new facility will accept a larger range of materials for recycling and also for re-use at the new Exchange Zone.
It also strives to be environmentally friendly with solar panels, a water-recycling system and re-use of materials from the old center. It is seeking the highest green rating, LEED platinum.
“The City is delighted to debut this long awaited, and long planned for project to the public," Melanie Mintz, the city’s environmental services manager, said in a statement. "At the (April 22) celebration, attendees will meet the project’s builders and architects, be able to tour the facility, learn about the various green building elements that were incorporated into the project, as well as be introduced to all the Center’s new services and features."
