Action Plan 4 and Green Building Code Updates
Exciting news! At its October 22 meeting, the City Council adopted Sustainability Action Plan 4 (SAP-4). The plan outlines 81 new actions and 79 already-approved actions for City staff to implement through Fiscal Year 2021-2022. The plan includes funding for active transportation programs and infrastructure designed to encourage the community to choose alternatives to driving, as well as programs aimed at supporting electric vehicle adoption. SAP-4 includes several programs and incentives that help residents and businesses reduce both their energy bill and carbon footprint through energy efficiency measures and the use of clean energy. Additionally, there are numerous programs that will help residents and businesses get the tools they need to take action on climate, save money, and engage with the broader Mountain View community. These programs range from community challenges to neighborhood disaster preparedness to civic engagement to green business certification. SAP-4 also provides support for plant-based diet community education and engagement, and funding for programs aimed at increasing the City’s tree canopy cover. You can read more about all of the actions in the Council Report and Attachments, found here .
 
Also during the October 22 meeting, the City Council voted to support an ordinance updating the Mountain View Green Building Code, including “reach codes” that require all new buildings to be all-electric and install electric vehicle chargers and solar PV. The ordinance will have a second reading and potentially be adopted during the November 12 City Council meeting.
SunShares EV and Solar Energy Partnership
Is 2019 your year to switch to solar energy or buy an electric vehicle (EV)?
The City of Mountain View has partnered with Bay Area SunShares to make it easier and more affordable for residents to install solar power or purchase an EV using pre-vetted providers. SunShares offers discounts and free workshops for residents to learn more about their clean energy and EV options. Plus, you can still take advantage of the Federal Tax Credit.
Are you a renter ? SunShares can help as well, by providing information about your clean energy options.
 
If you’ve ever thought about installing solar power or buying an electric vehicle, but don’t know where to start, SunShares is here to help!
The deadline to register for this program is November 15, 2019!
Solid Waste Agreements and Zero Waste Plan at October 29 Council Meeting
On October 29 , the City Council will consider options for establishing new agreements for Mountain View’s solid waste and recycling collection processing and disposal system. The City’s current agreements with Recology, the SMaRT Station and Waste Management Kirby Canyon all expire at the end of 2021. Council will review several options and provide direction for the process to establish new agreements for the post-2021 time period.

This process is a key part of the City’s Zero Waste planning to meet the goal of 90% diversion from the landfill by 2030. A draft Zero Waste Plan was reviewed by the Council in June 2019. The final Plan is now ready for adoption and will be on the consent calendar (approved with no discussion unless removed from consent) at the same October 29 meeting. The meeting begins at 6:30p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

The City Council agenda and staff reports for the above two items are available here . The Zero Waste Plan will also be available here .
Recycling & Zero Waste
This section will share program updates, upcoming events, and all news related to Zero Waste. Contact Recycling & Zero Waste staff with any questions about the Recycling & Zero Waste program at recycle@mountainview.gov or (650) 903-6311.
Zero Waste Halloween
Don’t get spooked by single-use waste! There are many ways you can go zero waste this Halloween, and save money too.
  1. Buy used costumes or shop your closet. Many reuse organizations offer used costumes that are in great condition, or you can get creative for your own or your kids’ costume by looking through old clothing or jewelry you have at home. If you buy costume parts, keep them for repurposing in future costumes.
  2. Give out plastic package-free treats. Draw jack-o-lantern faces on tangerines to hand out or choose candy in cardboard boxes that can be recycled in your paper recycling cart.
  3. Compost your pumpkins. Pumpkins can go in your compost cart. Tip – if you don’t carve the pumpkins, they last much longer and you can keep them as porch decoration all season long. Cut out paper shapes and stick them on for Halloween, then remove the shapes after the holiday and keep the pumpkins! When you do carve your pumpkins, bake the seeds for a tasty snack.
Refuel Your Fun! With Small Refillable Propane Cylinders
If you’re gearing up for tailgating season or planning a camping trip, consider reusable propane cylinders that you can use again. Propane cylinders are household hazardous waste and are prohibited in the trash or recycling because of the potential for fire and explosion. Instead of buying difficult to dispose single-use propane cylinders, next time buy or refill a refillable cylinder at one of these local stores .

If you have any single-use cylinders to dispose, there is a pilot collection program at the SMaRT Station for Mountain View, Sunnyvale, and Palo Alto residents. Residents can bring empty one pound propane cylinders to the SMaRT Station for recycling, during normal drop-off hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (limit three cylinders per trip). Proof of residency required. 
Dirty Dozen Item of the Month: Plastic Bags and Wrap
The Dirty Dozen captures 12 types of items that can mislead anyone trying to recycle right. These items seem recyclable, but actually contaminate the recycling process. Keep these items out of your recycling cart.
Plastic bags and plastic packaging wrap do not have a recycling market because much of the material is contaminated with moisture, food, or paper receipts. Plastic bags and wrap can also wind around machinery shafts and clog the sorting equipment at the SMaRT Station, resulting in costly delays. Some stores used to accept plastic bags and wrap in-store for recycling but due to market changes most recycling programs for these items have stopped. Put plastic bags and wrap in the trash . Avoid plastic bags where possible by buying unwrapped or paper-wrapped products, and using reusable mesh or canvas produce bags and reusable shopping bags.
More Upcoming Events
  • Saturday, November 2, 8a.m.-12p.m.
  • SMaRT Station, 201 Carl Road, Sunnyvale

Come drop off confidential documents to be shredded at the SMaRT Station in Sunnyvale. Proof of residency in Mountain View, Sunnyvale, or Palo Alto is required. There is a limit of five bags or banker boxes per household. Document shredding guidelines can be found here . For more information, visit the Environmental Events page .
  • Saturday, November 2, 9-9:45a.m. Members-only sale
  • Saturday, November 2, 10a.m.-4p.m. General sale
  • Sunday, November 3, 11a.m.-4p.m. Bag sale*
  • Bookmobile Garage behind the Mountain View Public Library, 585 Franklin St., Mountain View
Buying used books is a great way to decrease demand for precious natural resources and divert items headed for the landfill. Find out more information here.

*During the Bag Sale, you can purchase an entire paper grocery bag full of books for only $5.
  • Sunday, November 3, 12-4p.m.
  • Santa Clara Central Park Library, 2635 Homestead Road, Santa Clara

Don’t throw it out! Fix broken appliances and other household items with help from volunteers at the next Repair Café. This helps keep items out of the landfill and limits demand for new resources.
  • Saturday, November 16, 11a.m.-12:30p.m.
  • Bike Fix-It Station outside Mountain View Public Library, 585 Franklin St., Mountain View

One great way to reduce your carbon footprint is to bike instead of drive, when possible. Stop by the bike clinic to ask for advice, get help changing a tire, and more! Learn more here.
We Want to Hear From You!
Tell us your sustainability story! Have you recently made energy efficiency upgrades to your home, incorporated a new zero waste habit into your life, or found an alternate mode of transport that you love?

Send a photo and a short blurb to sustainability@mountainview.gov and we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter!
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