Community Conservation Centers Inc. (CCC), dba Berkeley Recycling, celebrates five decades of unwavering commitment to shaping a sustainable future through recycling.

Driven by the goal of closing the Berkeley waterfront landfill and diverting resources from waste, young environmentalists in the early 1970s established a non-profit organization: Community Conservation Centers (CCC), officially incorporated on September 10, 1974.

Initially operating a drop-off center, CCC advocated for the inclusion of official recycling policies in the City’s Solid Waste Plan. Their efforts secured a pivotal $350,000 grant from the California Solid Waste Commission, which came with a requirement for a permanent location and long-term lease.
Seeing an opportunity, CCC partnered with the City to integrate a state-of-the-art recycling buyback, drop-off, and processing facility into the planned Berkeley Material Recovery Facility (MRF) adjacent to the transfer station. This collaboration, cemented by a lease agreement, led to the construction of the first-generation Berkeley Recycling facility. This critical decision, shaped by CCC’s experience and the grant funding, proved pivotal for the city’s recycling future. For over four decades, CCC has operated and evolved Berkeley Recycling, overcoming challenges and adapting to the changing industry with creativity and dedication.

Their success is attributed not only to a strong foundation in recycling but also to a committed workforce. CCC has consistently championed diversity and fostered a collaborative environment, where both long-term employees and the 32 Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) union members play crucial roles. By integrating its three recycling programs at one location, CCC has further streamlined operations, ensuring efficient resource allocation under the leadership of a lean management team.

Moving forward, CCC remains committed to being a leading example of excellence within the recycling industry.