Upcoming free sustainability and water conservation events

Published on January 27, 2025

Residents have the opportunity to participate in upcoming free sustainability and water conservation events to reduce waste and water and properly dispose hard to recycle items. For more information about these events, please email sustainability@menlopark.gov or visit the Citywide calendar.

Spring Landscape Workshop Series

Between the months of March and May, the City of Menlo Park will host a series of workshops focused on sustainable landscaping and water conservation. This series aims to educate residents on the benefits of drought tolerant landscape as well as provide supplementary information regarding the City’s Lawn Be Gone program that awards $3 per square foot of lawn converted to drought tolerant landscape. Watch out for the City’s newsletter and Citywide calendar for exact dates and event descriptions.

Love Our Earth Festival

Saturday, April 26
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Belle Haven Community Campus
100 Terminal Ave.

Celebrate Earth Day this year at the fourth annual Love Our Earth Festival! You and your family can look forward to having fun and learning through art, story times, sustainable living demonstrations and delicious lunch options at the Plant-Based Market.

We will also celebrate Arbor Day by planting two trees near the community center. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the benefits of trees and participate in a fruit tree raffle—more details to follow.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event

Saturday, May 17
8:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Location to be announced upon appointment confirmation. Space is limited and appointments are required in advance. Acceptable HHW items include acids/bases, aerosol cans, automotive supplies (car batteries, motor oil, antifreeze, break fluids), cleaning products, fertilizers, pesticides, flammable liquids, fluorescent lights (compact and tubes), paints, inks and photo chemicals. Radioactive, explosive, medical and commercial waste is prohibited.

Schedule an appointment online by visiting smchealth.org/hhw or call 650-372-6200.

Shredding Event

Saturday, Aug. 2
9 a.m. – noon
City Corporation Yard
333 Burgess Ave.

Residents and businesses can prevent identity theft by shredding sensitive documents at the City’s popular free shredding event. Confidential document destruction includes items such as receipts, checks, pre-approved credit applications, credit card statements, outdated tax returns, pre-printed envelopes, return address labels and business cards. Participants are limited to three boxes (10” x 12” x 15”) per vehicle and materials will be shredded on-site. Documents with paper clips and staples are acceptable. This event is first come, first serve. Please do not bring any e-waste or household hazardous waste materials.

Please follow these guidelines for smoother drop-off service:

Please label “Shred only” on any shredding materials and leave them in the trunk.
It is recommended to remove all other personal items from the trunk to avoid any accidents.
Residents will open their trucks prior to driving up to the vendors, remain in their vehicles and the vendors will pick up the shredding materials from the trunks.

Electronic Waste Collection Event

Saturday, Sept. 6
9 a.m. – noon
City Corporation Yard
333 Burgess Ave.

RethinkWaste and Recology San Mateo County are teaming up with the City of Menlo Park to encourage residents to properly recycle old electronics. Accepted items include TVs, computers, printers, monitors, cables/ cords, cell phones, MP3 players, DVD players, laptops and more (working or not).

Items that will not be accepted include household appliances like fans, floor heaters, smoke detectors, vacuum cleaners, cooktops, dishwashers, microwaves, ovens, stoves, refrigerators, freezers or household hazardous waste.

Proof of residency may be required. This event is first come, first serve and will only be available until the end time, until the trucks are full, or while supplies last.