Commerce Chambers Hold Banning 'Mega Mixer' For Recycling Talk

The Banning, Beaumont, and Calimesa chambers of commerce gathered Thursday June 30th, for a 'Mega Mixer' to educate small business owners on new recycling laws taking effect in California.

The event took place at Banning’s Elegant Affair, with more than 100 people in attendance.

The two-hour event began at 5 p.m.

People were receptive to the new law but curious on how best to implement it.

The first 16 minutes of the event were dedicated to explaining the new law and taking questions.

Steve Glynn, a representative from Waste Management, and Barbara Spoonhour from the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) spoke about the state's Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, which mandates recycling programs to be adopted on a local level.

“We are here tonight to help you not make [recycling] burdensome,” Spoonhour said. “Business and nature can work hand in hand.”

Glynn said he was there to aid the businesses keep the cost of recycling down.

“We don’t want you to lose money,” Glynn said. “Our intent is to try and get people to recycle. We are not going to raise the rates or convert you.”

Glynn said that Waste Management Inc. would do everything in its power to help small businesses acclimate to the changes.

“We will come out and look at what [waste] you are generating,” Glynn said. “We want to make the transition easier.”

One guest asked where the money from recycling would go.

“The money from recycling is a big rollercoaster, a few years ago we had to pay to get rid of recycled material,” Glynn said. “Part of the cost pays for the trucks and employees. Part of the cost we give back to the community by teaching people to recycle.”

Another small business owner wanted to know how officials planned to implement an education system.

“We received some grant money,” Spoonhour said.

Waste Management hands out flyers, hosts events like the 'Mega Mixer' and offers education to those who want it.

“We are trying to go Green,” Glynn said. “Our business cards are half the size of a normal card.”

Members of Sunrise Mobile Home Park in Banning had concerns about their own recycling; despite having recycle bins people were dumping their trash without separating it.

“That is the problem with multiple-family complexes,” Glynn said.

Glynn said she hopes that with education people will be more likely to recycle.

 “We would love to implement a program at Sunrise,” Spoonhour said.

For any questions or comments Glynn asked that people contact their local chamber of commerce.

After Spoonhour and Glynn concluded their remarks, representatives from ‘Shop the Pass’ asked the community to shop locally to bring business back into the Pass.

A summary of the regulations is available at http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/climate/Recycling/default.htm