PG&E Partners in Hinkley Community Cleanup Day as Event Celebrates Tenth Year

By Jeff Smith

Since 2015, PG&E has worked in partnership with the San Bernardino County Department of Land Use Services, Hinkley Community Center and others on the annual Hinkley Community Cleanup Day.

This year’s cleanup event, which took place on Jan. 20 outside Hinkley Community Center, marked its tenth year.

“PG&E is proud to be celebrating 10 years of partnership with the San Bernardino County Land Use Department, Hinkley Community Center and the local community, including the Hinkley Rollicking Ranchers 4-H Club members and parents,” said Jessica Balders, senior technical project manager for PG&E.

“We are also so grateful for all our local volunteers and community partners for their continued support over the years that help make our event a success by filling up bins of trash,” added Balders.

To promote the free trash removal service, flyers were posted throughout the community, on social media, and shared at Hinkley Community Center’s monthly community breakfast. Hinkley residents also received a reminder postcard a few days before the event. 

County officials said the annual event provides a much-needed service for local residents.

“San Bernardino County (Land Use Services) is enthusiastic to continue partnering with Hinkley Community Center and PG&E to provide essential services such as this to community members,” they wrote in a statement.

Gabriel Arroyo, county code enforcement officer, echoed that sentiment.

“The County is happy to participate in events like Hinkley Community Clean Up Day, and we are excited that this is its tenth year. We look forward to coming back each spring,” said Gabriel Arroyo, code enforcement officer.

“The addition of the 4-Hers is always welcome, both the additional help and the enthusiasm. I’ve been involved for a few years now, and they make a difference,” added Arroyo.

In the last eight years alone, or since the county began tracking data, the partnership has yielded more than 10 tons of trash, one ton of e-waste and nearly 1,500 used tires.

John Turner, of the Hinkley Community Center, said the program makes it easy for local resident to participate.

“The Community Center is always happy to host the annual Cleanup Day. Wow, hard to believe that we have now been doing this for a decade. During this event Hinkley residents have a convenient way to help remove trash from their homes and the neighborhood as well as the surrounding areas. This year the 4-Hers and their families came out in force. They were able to fill two large bins of trash and one bin of tires. It’s also amazing the amount of trash they can find in the area around us.”

Added Turner: “It’s awesome to see the community and its partners working together in this tenth year of cleanup events and we look forward to ten more.”