The new law also will support rural recycling options for consumers to redeem their deposit and improve recycling rates.

Residents in single-family dwellings whose collection day was Friday should leave their recycling carts out today until the material is collected. Residents who have junk pickup service scheduled for Friday, should leave their items out to be collected today,

A bill negotiated by environmentalists, the plastics industry and lawmakers is keeping a California recycling measure off the ballot. After the bill sailed through the Assembly and the state Senate the next morning, the proponents withdrew the initiative just before the deadline.

A new audit coming before the City Council on Tuesday recommends slashing car impound fees and subsidizing rates for low-income drivers.

Last week, Mayor Reed and the majority of the City Council attended the opening of the world’s largest material processing facility in San Jose. After the ceremonial acknowledgments, I stayed to tour of the facility, which is located on Dixon Landing Road, an area near Milpitas that was annexed to San Jose. I was amazed at the size and amount of material coming down several lines at the facility. The tour certainly gave me pause on what we collectively throw away and where it is processed.

With the firefighters’ union becoming the first labor organization to formally reach a deal on compensation concessions with the city last week, this week’s City Council meeting will feature even more discussions regarding labor negotiations. Other items of note will include the approval of assistance for low-income housing and a proposed rate increase for recycling.