The City of La Verne was awarded a one-time $170,000 grant from the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) to lower dependency on single-use beverage containers and improve recycling practices. Upon receiving the award, the La Verne Public Works Department began implementing updates throughout the community to promote recycling, such as installing recycle and trash bin receptacles and water refill stations at various City parks.

“By implementing these changes throughout La Verne, we are doing our part to reduce plastic waste and increase recycling,” said Public Works Director Shawn Igoe. “We would like to thank CalRecycle for assisting us in implementing more recycling opportunities to improve our community. This would also not be possible without our dedicated staff, who are always thinking ahead and finding innovative ways to move forward.”

La Verne applied for funding through the competitive CalRecycle’s Beverage Container Recycling City/County Payment Program, which is designed to help cities and counties enhance local beverage container recycling and litter abatement projects. The program also encourages the development and expansion of activities related to beverage container materials.

Public Works administrative staff and parks crews purchased and installed recycling bins that are attached to trash bins throughout the City. In addition to the recycle and trash bin receptacles, staff also installed water bottle refill stations at various parks throughout the community, some with a pet fountain included. With these new additions, residents and visitors can practice using less single-use beverage containers and conveniently recycle their used plastic beverage containers.

For more information on the Beverage Container Recycling Grant, visit CalRecycle’s website.