Our family used to do the same but discovered it was more economical and much easier to just sign up for the recycling program through the City.  For $48/year, (recently lowered) the City will provide you with a recycling bin and will come every two weeks to pick it up. What a great service.  It has also kept our family's non-recyclable trash so low (we are a family of 8) that we only need to put our trash out every other week.

http://www.bakersfieldcity....

Thanks for the info about the recycling program. My only problem with the City is that I'm paying them a small fee for something that they're making money off of. I usually get a about $35 each time I visit. I only go 2 to 3 times a year but it's annoying to pay a CRV every time I buy a case of soda or bottled water, then pay someone to pick up my recyclable material. Why should I pay again?

I'll probably just make the trek to BARC. The glass and newspaper monies should be enough to pay for the gas.

I hear you but when I couldn't walk through my garage, I changed my tune.  I can forego two cups of Starbucks per month for the free stuff here at work.  

I can park our car in our garage, but it's getting tight. Time for a yard sale and a trip to the Goodwill.

You guys are cracking me up.  I have totally been in both camps.  I could NOT fathom the idea of letting someone else reap the reward for all of my plastics and aluminum hoarding, but then--same thing--when no one wanted to schelp the stuff to the recycling center, and our garage started looking like the city dump, we gave in and ordered the Big Blue Trashcan.  

Like my next door neighbor, Bob Meadows, said when he turned 50 and was explaining to me why he hired Monji to landscape his backyard...."Eventually, Dana, life just becomes a matter of time versus money."

With my time at a premium these days, I admit that I gave in to Bob's theory.  Hopefully, the city is putting my recycling money to good use.  :)

My recycling problem is finding a place that recycles styrofoam. Does anyone have recommendations? 

I know it isn't possible for everyone (the blue can), but I put my Styrofoam in the blue trash can.  One Tuesday, I heard the recycling truck roaring down the street and realized I had forgotten to put it out (every other Tuesday is hard to remember at times), and so I had an occasion to ask the driver if Styrofoam was recyclable (it often DOES have a #4 or something on the bottom).  He said, "Not really, but go ahead and put it in."

Huh?

OK, fine by me, I just hope I'm not giving people at the recycling center fits when they sort through all my Styrofoam. 

dweaver... you can truck your foam over to my house.   :)

I take my cardboard to the recycling bins in the parking lot of North Rosedale Elementary.  I don't get money for doing it, however, I spoke with the person in charge of those bins and was informed all of the money goes to the school.  This might be an option for you as they have bins to recycle almost everything...too bad they don't take styrofoam!

Thanks Dana!!! =D

>>I take my cardboard to the recycling bins in the parking lot of North Rosedale Elementary.  I don't get money for doing it, however, I spoke with the person in charge of those bins and was informed all of the money goes to the school.  This might be an option for you as they have bins to recycle almost everything...too bad they don't take styrofoam!

I usually take my newspaper and cardboard to Rosedale North Elementary, too.  I had no idea that the money made at that drop off center goes to the school.  I used to go to that school, so it only makes sense for me to support the school this way.  Too bad they don't take grocery bags.  That's what I don't understand.  They have a sign that reads that grocery bags aren't recycleable, when obviously they are otherwise the stores wouldn't be able to recycle them.

>>My wife and I are still new to the northwest. If someone could please point us in the direction of a great recycling center that would be much appreciative.

LastRites, there are a couple of recycling centers I've been to in the Northwest, but as far as I know, they only accept CRV items.  They are Midway Recycling (on Downing Ave. between Coffee Road and Fruitvale Ave.) and Rick's Recycling (on Rosedale Hwy across from the Target Greatland store in the Northwest Promenade and next door to the Ashley furniture store).  I'd probably prefer to go to Rick's, especially if I'm on my bike because although it's on Rosedale Hwy, its closer to my house.  I do like Midway's 5 cent/lb reward for cans (you have to present a coupon or bumper sticker-both are free-to get this reward).  The Albertson's grocery store at Rosedale and Allen Rd. also has a place to recycle CRV items and receive money, however, you can't flatten your cans if youre going to use this place.

I also don't want to pay someone to collect my recycleables and also pay CRV!!!

There aren't any places out here that I know of that pay you for non-CRV items, though.  I sure wish there were.  I have TONS of newspaper stuck in my room!

Correction:  The Tomra recycling center at Albertsons at Rosedale and Allen will take flattened cans and plastics if a worker is on duty.  It is their automated machines that don't take flattened items.