Sustainability

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The City Council declared a climate emergency committing to accelerating actions to address climate change at a local level and adopted a 2030 Climate Action Plan with the bold goal to be carbon neutral (zero emissions) by 2030. The Sustainability Division leads and/or supports implementation of the Climate Action Plan within the organization and the community at large. 

Currently, there are six Climate Action Plan strategies:

  1. Electrify 95% of existing buildings
  2. Increasing electric vehicle usage and decreasing gasoline
  3. Expand access to electric vehicle charging for multifamily and commercial properties
  4. Reduce vehicle miles traveled by 25%
  5. Eliminate the use of fossil fuels from municipal(city)operations
  6. Develop a climate adaption plan to protect the community from sea level rise and flooding

The division also supports the Environmental Quality Commission.

Air quality

Healthy air is important to our well-being. Poor air quality can contribute to environmental degradation and illness.

Climate Action Plan

The purpose of the Climate Action Plan is to present researched strategies that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions originating in Menlo Park, based on the findings of the city's greenhouse gas emissions inventory analysis which is completed annually.

Community Zero Waste Plan

Adopted in 2017, the Community Zero Waste Plan serves as a guiding policy that outlines strategies for the community to implement to significantly reduce waste while reinforcing proper waste disposal practices.

Energy conservation

The average home uses the majority of energy on space heating (31%) followed by space cooling (12%), water heating (12%) and lighting (11%). Reduce your energy bill and your carbon footprint by making a few home improvements.

Free compost available

Is your soil in need of nutrient replenishment to support your dream garden? You are in luck! There are two ways to get free compost

Existing building electrification

Building energy use from natural gas (primarily to heat spaces and water) is responsible for approximately 41% of our communitywide emissions. Switching from natural gas to electricity not only improves indoor air quality and reduces the fire risks associated with burning fossil fuels, it also reduces our community’s emissions.

Peninsula Clean Energy

Under the Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program, San Mateo County and all 20 of its cities and towns voted unanimously to form Peninsula Clean Energy, a community-controlled, not-for-profit, joint powers agency. As a CCA, Peninsula Clean Energy offers many environmental and economic benefits to its residential and business customers, including clean electricity at lower prices than PG&E.

Reach codes

The 2019 California Building Standards Code and the California Code of Regulation will take in effect on January 1, 2020.

Water conservation

Water is a precious resource, one that has to be managed today to ensure our natural supply remains available for future generations.

Water pollution prevention

Litter and debris that enters the street goes into storm drains and is released untreated into local creeks, the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

Zero emission landscape equipment

On July 11, 2023 the City Council adopted a zero-emission landscape equipment (ZELE) requirement that prohibits using gas powered landscaping equipment due to its negative impacts on health, and noise and air pollution. Operating a gas powered leaf blower for one hour is equal to inhaling 15 hours of emissions from driving. It can also contribute to hearing loss.

Contact us

Sustainability Office
 Email

650-330-6720

Recology San Mateo County

To add, change or for questions about garbage, recycling or composting services
Website
Email

650-595-3900

 

  

Upcoming meetings and events

Sustainability news

Menlo Park student wins the 2024 RethinkWaste Trash to Art Contest

Published on June 10, 2024

RethinkWaste held its annual Trash to Art contest in March to encourage third to fifth-graders to create art pieces from materials they collect around their homes or schools. A Menlo Park student from Laurel Elementary Upper Campus School won first place in the 2024 Trash to Art contest. Congratulations to Ananya M. for creating an inspirational artwork called "Monterey Bay Habitat!"

Tagged as: , Announcements

Zero-emission landscape equipment (ZELE) requirement begins July 1

Published on June 03, 2024

Starting July 1, the City of Menlo Park will enforce a new ordinance requiring the use of zero emission (manual, electric or battery powered) landscaping equipment, starting with leaf blowers and string trimmers. July 11, 2023 the City Council adopted a zero-emission landscape equipment (ZELE) requirement that prohibits using gas powered landscaping equipment due to its negative impacts.

Tagged as: , Announcements, Sustainability news

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