The City of Oakland’s Recycle Department is working on reaching out to
Oakland merchants about their “Bring
Your Own Bag Program.”  There is no cost to enroll in this
program and this is a great opportunity for Oakland merchants. The city
will run free print ads that
list all Oakland merchants that have enrolled and participate in the Oakland Bring Your Own Bag Program.
This program is trying to encourage people to bring their own bag and if
they do, there are incentives for them to shop at the enrolled
businesses. All the City asks is that the merchants create some kind of
customer appreciation for patrons who bring their own bag (raffle ticket
for an item, 5% off, etc…). It is entirely up to you to create an
incentive for your customers. The City will also have poster, window
decal, register decal, and cashier buttons; these are available for you
to display to show that you are enrolled in the program. The merchants
don’t have to be retail either, any business that sells goods that
customers will take home can participate (i.e. coffee shop that sells
coffee beans, hair salon that sells hair spray, etc…)

           
For any business that would like to enroll, please click on the registration form below and the City will deliver your items in the
next few weeks. Please respond by March 9th, this is the  deadline for all merchants so the printing
deadline can be met. Click here to view a mailer that was sent out a few
months ago. It has some images of what the button and decals look like.
You can also visit the City’s Bring Your Own Bag website http://www.oaklandrecycles.com/Page848.aspx for more
information. If you have any questions, feel free to email recycling@oaklandnet.com or call (510) 238-SAVE (7283).

BYOB Mailer

To register for the Program, fill out this form:
Bring Your Own Bag Program Form

Bring Your Own Bag - City Website

Ready to participate? Send us a message at recycling@oaklandnet.com. Give us your name, store name & location and contact information.
We’ll help you get started. You can also call
the hotline and register at
(510) 238-SAVE (7283).

Reduce waste at special events by simply planning ahead. Click here for a Special Events Best Practice Guide published by Stopwaste.org. Recycling at events is required by State law. This guide explains the requirements of the law and offers tips for recycling and tools for recording the waste generated and recycled at the event.

Technical assistance and some tools are available from the City of Oakland by calling the recycling hotline at (510) 238-SAVE (7283) or by email at recycling@oaklandnet.com.

The City of Oakland published the following FAQ document:

Q:    Why did the City of Oakland raise parking meter fees, increase fines and extend and parking meter enforcement hours?

A:    The City of Oakland’s recent decision to raise parking meter fees and increase some fines was made in response to the most serious financial crisis ever faced by the City, and it accompanied significant cuts to vital public services, including police, libraries, parks and maintenance. Although City leaders recognize that this decision is unpopular and difficult for many residents, it was an unfortunate necessity given the magnitude of Oakland’s budget deficit.

Click here to access the whole document.

For a pdf of the application click here.

The City of Oakland’s Community and Economic Development Department is offering grants to commercial districts up to $5,000.00 per district. The MAAP funds may be used for the following (subject to approval by the City’s zoning, building services, and other relevant agencies):

Business directories

Banners

Minor improvements such as planters, benches, etc.

Organizational development for your district association (training, consulting, assistance with outreach, technological improvements, etc.)

Security improvements such as cameras, implementation of a merchant alert system, etc.

Assistance to businesses with window displays and merchandising

Costs related to business recruitment to fill one or more specific vacant storefronts or vacant lots

Districts will be awarded grants ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 maximum and approved activity will depend on City funding source. If you are seeking funds related to an event, please also contact Samee Roberts of Marketing at 238-2136.

In awarding MAAP funds, City staff will consider the following:

Need

Geographic distribution

Participation in Oakland Merchants Leadership Forum or other educational and networking activities

Strength of the district association

Demonstrated ability to complete project

CONTACT:
ALIZA GALLO
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES MANAGER
(510) 238-7405 office
(510) 986-2653 fax
agallo@oaklandnet.com

MAAP Application