BEC Timeline

1975

In its first year of incorporation, BEC was a cooperative with representatives from five environmental groups: Wes Dempsey of the Sierra Club, Steve Evans of Northstate Wilderness Committee, David James of Community Gardens Project, Michael McGinnis of Forces to Restore Earth's Environment (FREE), and Jonnel Schmitz of Student Environmental Collective.

California State University, Chico's Community Action Volunteers in Education (CAVE), provided office space and facilities for BEC's first eleven years of operation.

"The initial members were driven by the intention to save the world or at least a piece of it," said Michael McGinnis, a founder.

1976

BEC moves to 708 Cherry Street.

1977

BEC made its first significant contribution to Butte County in 1977 when it introduced a multi-use recycling service.

"BEC made recycling a way of life in Butte County," said Jon Luvaas, past attorney for BEC.

Glass, tin, aluminum, cardboard, and newspaper were collected in the curbside program. A $1 fee was charged per month for pick-up service.

"Recycling offers an immediate benefit to our education;" said Michael McGinnis, the first general manager of BEC, "it is a direct way to see a result in the physical quality of life."

Late 80s

In the late 1980s, when large disposal companies entered the market for recycling, BEC sold its recycling service to North Valley Disposal. The organization began to focus on education, advocacy, and referral services.

Note: The figure at the top of the page shows the BEC Recycling Center, and the figure directly above is the Recycling Center sign.

1994

BEC relocates to its present site at 116 W. 2nd St., Suite #3.