GreenerDavis

It’s easy to forget about the batteries hidden inside items we use every day. From rechargeable toothbrushes to beard trimmers and even light-up party favors, batteries are everywhere, and all of them can pose a fire risk. Battery fires have been occurring in our community.

1. Gather used batteries in a hard plastic container.
2. Inspect the batteries and tape over the positive and negative ends of all rechargeable, coin-shaped, and 9-volt batteries with clear plastic tape.
3. Drop off batteries at the Yolo Landfill or in Davis at CVS, Nugget Markets, the Davis Senior Center, the Davis Food Co-Op or Recology Davis (during CRV Buyback hours only).

If a device has a built-in battery, do not toss it in curbside carts. Instead, drop it off at the Yolo Landfill for proper e-waste recycling.

More information on battery recycling: https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/public-works-utilities-and-operations/solid-waste-and-recycling/hazardous-waste

On-street collection has ended for the season. The next scheduled on-street collection will occur during the week of October 19.

On-street collection of yard trimmings in piles is available only during certain times of the year. This collection is intended for large yard materials, such as pruned tree limbs and excess leaves that cannot fit into the organics cart.

Yard materials are still collected every week in your organics cart(s). Roll your organics cart around the yard as you do your pruning, w**d pulling and raking and fill it right up. Cut yard materials into smaller sizes as needed to maximize space in your cart.

Your organics cart can also handle fruit and veggie peelings, spoiled food, bones, paper plates, used paper towels and more! All the material placed in the cart is brought to the composting facility at the Yolo Landfill and turned into nutrient-rich compost.

Learn more about what goes in the organics cart: https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/public-works-utilities-and-operations/solid-waste-and-recycling/which-bin-does-it-go-in

If you are planning to move soon, or if you’re clearing out unwanted items, be sure to make a plan for how to appropriately get rid of unwanted household goods, furniture and clothing. Check out our webpage for info on how to donate, sell or give away unwanted reusable materials: https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/public-works-utilities-and-operations/solid-waste-and-recycling/move-out-waste-reduction-tips

Dumpsters are for trash, not for donations. Plan ahead and make sure your first option for getting rid of unwanted household items, clothing and furniture is NOT a dumpster.

Local thrift stores usually accept a wide variety of reusable goods. Please call individual stores to verify drop-off times and if they can currently accept your items.

Big Blue Barn Thrift Store, Yolo County Central Landfill
44090 County Road 28H, Woodland | 530-666-8856
Donations accepted 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Goodwill Thrift Store
1640 E. 8th St., Davis | 530-564-4474
Donations accepted 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Yolo County SPCA Thrift Store
920 3rd St., Davis | 530-758-0544
Donations accepted Wed. - Sat. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Please be responsible as you are moving or clearing out and do not leave items on the street, sidewalk or in your front yard. Leaving furniture, mattresses and other household items in front of your property or on the street and sidewalk is a violation of City Code and may be a safety hazard for bicycles and pedestrians. See our webpage for ways to recycle or reuse your unwanted stuff.

Wildlife Spotlight: Sacramento Valley Red Fox

Up until 2010, it was believed that there were only two species of red fox living in California; the native Sierra Nevada red fox (Vulpes vulpes necator), and the non-native eastern red fox (Vulpes vulpes), which populated California after escaping captivity in the 1880's, likely from fur farms. In 2010, researchers looking at the DNA of red foxes living in south Davis discovered that these foxes' DNA was more closely related with the native Sierra Nevada red fox than the eastern species and now there is a new subspecies of native red fox now known as the Sacramento Valley red fox (V. v. patwin). The eastern red fox still occurs in the Sacramento Valley, but is most prevalent south of the bay-delta region.

Sacramento Valley red foxes are currently protected by state law as a Species of Special Concern. Little is currently known about their life history strategy or habitat requirements. Some recent research suggests that grasslands and dense riparian habitat are important to them. Escape cover is important for den-site security and avoiding their primary predator, the coyote. Sacramento Valley red foxes do well on the edge of urban areas where they appear to have a high tolerance to human disturbance and have access to human provided food opportunities (ex. outdoor pet feeding, backyard chickens, etc.). They are opportunistic omnivores, eating a wide range of small mammals, birds, insects, fruit and carrion. Red foxes are excellent climbers and are able to scale trees and back yard fences with ease.

Like their other red fox cousins, Sacramento Valley red foxes are mostly solitary, but family groups form annually. Males will defend a territory in which one to two females reside. Den sites are burrows dug into slopes or under woody vegetation or rock piles. The alpha female will become pregnant in late winter and five to 12 pups are born in March through May. Red fox pups require mom’s support for about six months after which they are encouraged by the adults to find new territory.