Elk Grove Special Waste Collection Center Opens to Praise on Earth Day

April 22, 2014 |

In a nod to the 44th anniversary of the first Earth Day, the City of Elk Grove held a grand opening ceremony today for its state-of-the-art special waste collection facility on Grantline Road.

The new center, which will provide Elk Grove residents a fee-free facility to leave solid waste and various hazardous materials, is located on the site that formally housed a pallet recycling operation widely considered to be an eyesore.

The facility, which cost $4.6 million, was funded in-part by the State of California and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Among the notable features, the center is powered by solar energy.

Among the dignitaries on hand for the opening and ceremonial ribbon cutting was Elk Grove Council Members and Congressman Dr. Ami Bera, (D-Elk Grove).

In his comments to the crowd of over 200 people, Bera praised the city's efforts and said it shows what can be done when there is cooperation. (See video below).

"There's a lot the country can learn from Elk Grove," Bera said. "Let's not wallow in what we can't do, let's set our minds to it as a community, let's go out there and figure out how to do it, and that is exactly what this project represents."

In addition to the opening ceremonies, the facility held an open house until early evening that included facility tours and several children activities.

The facility will start accepting waste products on Wednesday, April 23. More information about the hours of service and types of waste products accepted is available here.