Publish date: Thursday, February 11, 2016
Contact's name: Guillermo Rodriguez, 415-355-3756 or Guillermo.rodriguez@sfgov.org
Mural in Bayview Hunters Point highlights the issue of illegal dumping and calls on residents to report dumping to 311
City officials and Bayview Hunters Point community leaders gathered at Mendell Plaza in Bayview Hunters Point to unveil the “Don’t Dump Oil” Mural created by award-winning muralist, Cameron Moberg.
From 2012-2014, the City collected over 6,000 gallons of abandoned motor oil from the streets of San Francisco. Over half the abandoned hazardous waste that’s picked up in the City is found in the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood.
The San Francisco Department of Environment received a grant from the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) to create a community mural to increase the awareness of safe oil disposal options and encourage residents to report dumping using the SF311 mobile app.
“Oil isn’t the only problem, often it’s found with other discarded materials which have been illegally dumped on the streets,” said Debbie Raphael Director of the San Francisco Department of Environment. “Working with the community, we wanted to build on the City’s education and outreach efforts by making the issue of dumping visible and this mural is a reminder that illegal dumping is not only harmful to the environment but also to our neighborhoods.”
Illegal dumping is a problem throughout the Bay Area, and in San Francisco it costs the city over $4 million a year. In 2015, San Francisco Public Works collected over 20,000 tons of abandoned waste, and worked with Recology on responding to 104,324 service requests for abandoned waste and litter – nearly 300 per day.
“Illegal dumping, whether oil or other materials, degrades the communities we are working so hard to beautify and improve,” said Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru. “We all need to work together to raise public awareness and send the message that our streets, sidewalks and sewers are not free-for-all garbage dumps. There are good alternatives available, and we need to make sure that people use them. But at the end of the day, if people don’t do what’s right, we will go after them for breaking the law and hurting our neighborhoods and the environment.”
Free and Easy Disposal Options
Over 91 million gallons of lubricating oil (most of which is motor oil) are recycled in California every year, but that's only about 60% of the volume which is purchased. San Francisco offers free and convenient oil recycling options. There are 27 State-certified used motor oil collection centers in San Francisco, including 3 locations in Bayview Hunters Point. These locations accept up to five gallons of used motor oil and oil filters for free. Visit www.Recyclewhere.org to find out about recycling options for oil and other materials.
How to Report Dumping
San Francisco residents can help by reporting illegal dumping using the City’s 311 hotline and mobile app. The mobile app allows users to upload photos of the problem and routes the issue directly to the servicing agency.
“I am happy 311 continues to serve as a resource to the public by facilitating ways in which to report issues and access many other services, whether via phone, web or mobile options,” said Nancy Alfaro, Director 311 Customer Service Center. “If using the SF311 mobile app, simply choose the ‘street and sidewalk cleaning’ option to report illegal dumping. 311 Representatives are also available 24x7 should it be easier to report the issue via phone.”
Community Support
The Bayview Opera House, the premier arts and cultural organization in the neighborhood, was a critical partner in the success of this project. They solicited substantial input on the mural content from community residents and they focused on engaging Bayview youth in the project by providing environmental education and hands-on training in mural production with the muralist.
“The Bayview community is deeply concerned about the environmental challenges it faces”, said Barbara Ockel, Executive Director-Bayview Opera House. “We are so proud of our teens who participated in a mural workshop with the artist and then helped him paint the mural. I know the trio of an African American, an Asian and a Latino youth were jazzed about the opportunity to make a difference in their community together.”
ABOUT THE SAN FRANCISCO DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT
The Department creates visionary policies and innovative programs to improve, enhance, and preserve San Francisco's urban and natural environment, leading the way toward a sustainable future by developing wide-ranging environmental programs, fostering groundbreaking legislation, working collaboratively with key partners, and educating the public on comprehensive sustainability practices.
About the muralist:
Cameron “Camer1” Moberg is a self-taught artist who paints to bring hope. Growing up in San Francisco he has always been inspired by the distinguished structures and natural surroundings of the city. In addition, he has always been intrigued by the freedom of flight, inspiring most of his recent pieces. He paints murals, canvases, and teaches workshops on the history of graffiti, as well as fundamentals such as can control. Camer1 has painted throughout San Francisco and around the country, and has even left his mark in Canada, Mexico,
Australia and throughout Europe.
Last year, he was selected to compete on Oxygen's new reality television series, Street Art Throwdown, and climbed his way to the top through a number of art challenges taking home the winning title of the entire competition.
Camer1 resides in the SOMA with his wife, two sons, and beloved Boston Terrier.