City of Berkeley, CA

08/15/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/15/2024 16:24

As Cal students move in, plan ahead, help keep our streets clean

Get ready for returning students. Expect more traffic and limited parking in the Southside area. Arrange for extra trash pickups or more frequent service to avoid fines of up to $500 a day for illegal dumping.

Published:
August 15, 2024
Last Updated:
August 15, 2024

As students move in for fall, tenants and landlords can help keep our streets clean by planning ahead and using City services. 

If you plan on driving through the Southside during Cal Move-In, please add time to your travel schedule for increased traffic, lane and road closures, and extremely limited street parking in the area.

If you are moving in, please use City collection and recycling services to reduce trash dumped on sidewalks. Overfilling a trash bin, leaving used boxes on the curb, and ditching furniture outside create a mess and possible safety hazards. These actions are also illegal and can incur fines of up to $500 a day.

We have resources to help you sustainably discard what you don't need - and avoid illegal dumping fines. Plan ahead, reuse, and recycle.

areas affected by move-in activities

As students move in for fall, tenants and landlords can help keep our streets clean by planning ahead and using City services. 

If you plan on driving through the Southside during Cal Move-In, please add time to your travel schedule for increased traffic, lane and road closures, and extremely limited street parking in the area.

If you are moving in, please use City collection and recycling services to reduce trash dumped on sidewalks. Overfilling a trash bin, leaving used boxes on the curb, and ditching furniture outside create a mess and possible safety hazards. These actions are also illegal and can incur fines of up to $500 a day.

We have resources to help you sustainably discard what you don't need - and avoid illegal dumping fines. Plan ahead, reuse, and recycle.

The Cal Move-In schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, Aug. 20
8am to 7pm:

One-way Street Closures:

  • Channing Way between Dana St and Telegraph Ave

  • Channing Way between Bowditch St and College Ave

Lane Closures:

  • Durant Ave between Bowditch St and College Ave

  • Durant Ave between Dana St and Telegraph Ave

  • Haste St between Bowditch St and College Ave

  • Dwight Way between Bowditch St and College Ave

Wednesday, Aug. 21
8am to 7pm:

One-way Street Closures:

  • Channing Way between Dana St and Telegraph Ave

  • Channing Way between Telegraph Ave and Bowditch St

  • Channing Way between Bowditch St and College Ave

Lane Closures:

  • Durant Ave between Bowditch St and College Ave

  • Durant Ave between Dana St and Telegraph Ave

  • Haste St between Bowditch St and College Ave

  • Dwight Way between Bowditch St and College Ave

Sunday August 25
8am to 5pm

One-way Street Closures:

  • Channing Way between Telegraph Ave and Bowditch St

Lane Closures:

  • Durant Ave between Dana St and Telegraph Ave

Students and families who are moving in may park their vehicles at a UC Berkeley-owned garage for free with a printable parking permit.

For more information on parking and traffic impacts, visit the Cal Move-In website.

plan ahead when new tenants are moving in

For landlords who'll have new tenants moving in, order extra pickups or increased service for your recycling, compost, or trash. The property owner or authorized contacts listed on the refuse account can call (510) 981-7270 one business day in advance of their trash day to request City services:

Call (510) 981-7270 to request:

  • Extra trash pickup or a short-term dumpster.

Visit the Berkeley Transfer Station (1201 Second Street) to:

  • Drop off up to two mattresses, box springs, or futons for free.

  • Purchase up to ten City of Berkeley prepaid bags to dispose of extra trash on pick-up day at your single-family home or 1-4 unit property.

  • Drop off unwanted items or bags of materials.

  • Recycle up to two electronic items for free.

Keep reusable items out of landfills

Abandoned furniture and debris on sidewalks or in the public right-of-way can result in citations and fines up to $500 a day. Try to find persons or places accepting what you're discarding. Don't leave unwanted items on a sidewalk.

  • Reuse stores like Urban Ore accept some furniture and household items in good condition. Check their website or call (510) 841-7283 before visiting to confirm they will accept your items and are receiving donations at this time.

  • Donate textiles, including clothing, shoes, handbags, backpacks, linens, and bedding at the Textile Recycling Drop Box at the Berkeley Recycling Center for reuse.

recylce items that can't be repurposed

For recyclable items that can't be repurposed, use your building's recycling carts or bins to recycle. Please keep in mind, Berkeley has a dual-stream recycling program, so recyclable materials must be sorted accordingly. Cardboard/paper is collected separately from Bottles/Cans/Plastic Containers.

For single-family homes or small apartment complexes with Ecology Center Recycling collection, review the Ecology Center's recycling guidelines for program specifics. Extra cardboard can be bundled and placed curbside next to your Ecology Center recycle cart on your recycling service day.

For extras or items that can't be recycled curbside:

  • Clothing and household textiles, scrap metal, appliances, fluorescent light bulbs, batteries, and cardboard boxes are accepted at the Recycling Center (669 Gilman Street). Most items are accepted free of charge.

  • Paints, solvents, pesticides, and cleaner sprays are hazardous household waste and are accepted at Alameda County Stop Waste Drop-off Sites . The closest drop-off site to Berkeley is in Oakland (2100 East 7th Street).

  • The Re: Source Guide provides further disposal, recycling, or reuse options for items not mentioned above.

Work with nonprofits, don't dump at encampments

Unsolicited donations of furniture, clothing, food, and other materials at encampments may seem like a gesture of goodwill to those in need, but it can actually create unsafe conditions.

Consider donating to one of Berkeley's numerous nonprofit social service agencies that directly serve the homeless population, including:

  • Berkeley Food Network

  • Dorothy Day House

  • Berkeley Food and Housing Project

  • Women's Daytime Drop-In Center

All listed agencies provide food, shelter, and various resources to people experiencing homelessness in Berkeley.

Know that most nonprofits usually prefer cash donations. Consider calling nonprofits that work in Berkeley to inquire about their need and capacity to accept donations.

report illegal dumping

We can all play a valuable role in keeping our streets clean and safe. If you see illegal dumping, call 311 or (510) 981-2489 to report.

During the summer move-in, tenants and landlords are key to keeping Berkeley's streets clean and safe. Plan ahead, utilize City of Berkeley services, and dispose of items responsibly.

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