Support for Telecommuting
On June 30, the City Council adopted a  resolution encouraging broader use of telecommuting  and supporting safe, affordable, and convenient transportation options for employees who cannot work remotely. The rapid shift to remote work during the Shelter-in-Place order has resulted in a significant drop in vehicle traffic, associated air pollution, and GHG emissions.

This resolution aims to maintain some of these environmental and health benefits for organizations over the long term. You can read the staff report, resolution, and supporting documents here .
Community Volunteer Group
Exciting news! We are working to form a volunteer group to build community while suppo rting the City’s sustainability programs. This group will assist the sustainability team through (1) outreach and dissemination of information, (2) event planning and execution, and (3) providing input on various sustainability topics.
 
There is no minimum time requirement, so even if you have just a few minutes a month we’d welcome your involvement and are happy to provide this way for you to meet other passionate community members. If you are interested in learning more and potentially getting involved, please fill out this short Google Form.
Rising Sun Energy Efficiency Kits
Rising Sun is transforming their no-cost Green House Call service to a contact-free energy and water efficiency kit delivery service . These kits are no-cost, available to homeowners and renters, and do not require income qualification. Each kit includes LED light bulbs, advanced power strips, a low-flow showerhead, and more.

To receive your energy efficiency kit in the mail:

1) Fill out an online survey here , or
2) Fill out the survey over the phone by calling (510) 665-1501, ext. 300
 
Rising Sun is a local nonprofit that operates job training and employment programs for underserved youth and adults to address climate change and economic inequity. Green House Calls are supported by California utility customers like you through the California Public Utilities Commission, so take this opportunity to make your ratepayer dollars work for you with energy efficiency services that help you save on your utility bill!
Bikes for Essential Workers
The Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange (SVBE) and Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) have teamed up to offer bikes to essential workers in need of transportation.

  • Can’t afford a bike but need one to get to your job or to get around? Fill out this form and they'll try to match you with a bike.
  • Have a bike you aren’t using? If it’s in perfect working order, they will match you with a recipient. If it needs a bit of work, SVBE will refurbish the bike and give it new life.
  • Want to help with the effort? You can make a donation to cover the cost of bike parts ($40 on average) or you can help them tune up the bikes by taking a few home to work on.

Join the #BikeMatchSV program as a recipient, donor, or volunteer through the form here .
SVCE Relief Programs
In response to COVID-19, SVCE is supporting our community by providing on-bill credits for income-qualified residents and qualifying small businesses, developing an all-electric online contractor training program, and supporting local community resilience projects. Learn more here.
Clean Cars for All
Attention Bay Area residents! The Air District’s Clean Cars for All Program has expanded t o all Bay Area zip codes.

Income qualified residents who ow n a model year 2004 or older vehicle can receive up to $9,500 to retire their old vehicle and purchase or lease a new or used electric vehicle. Funding is available for electric vehicle charging equipment as well. You can also get a pre-loaded Clipper card (up to $7,500) for turning in your old vehicle. Incentive options vary depending on income and zip code.

Check if you are eligible for the Clean Cars for All program and apply here.

For additional information about this program, please contact (855) 256-3656 or cleancars@gridalternatives.org.
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.
Virtual Outreach Table
The Mountain View Zero Waste team missed out on meeting residents and talking about recycling and composting at our outreach table this year as community events were cancelled due to the Shelter-in-Place order. Since we are all still staying safe at home, we put together a Virtual Outreach Table where we’ve compiled answers to our most frequently asked questions and put together some zero waste resources for reducing waste at home.
Donation Locations and On Call Plus Appointments
If you finally got around to a home clean-up project, there are several location donation organizations that are now open and accepting items.

  • Habitat for Humanity ReStore San Jose located at 1608 Plumas Drive, San Jose (updated donation criteria)
  • Limited Goodwill Silicon Valley locations - updated list here

For curbside pickup of items you want to dispose of, On Call Plus clean up appointments have resumed. On Call Plus is a free, curbside collection cleanup service for residents, scheduled by appointment, to set out extra trash, recycling, or compost PLUS up to three bulky goods, such as appliances or furniture. Eligible residents (with curbside cart service) get three free appointments per calendar year. Schedule an appointment by contacting Recology at (650) 967-3034.

This program is not available to residents with shared trash bin service, but managers may arrange a complex-wide Special Collection service (fees apply) by contacting Recology.

If the items you are getting rid of are in good, working condition , consider posting them for free on Nextdoor , Craigslist , your local Buy Nothing group, or Freecycle.org to give these items a chance at a second life in a new home.
Household Hazardous Waste – Mountain View Event in August CANCELLED
Household hazardous waste (HHW), e-waste, and universal waste cannot be disposed in the trash because they are harmful to the environment and can pose a hazard to workers. Please store items like paint, fluorescent bulbs, garden chemicals, and batteries in a safe place until you are able to make an appointment for an HHW event. Never place these items in your trash cart. The August 15 HHW event in Mountain View has been cancelled , but limited HHW drop-off events are currently available in San Jose. You can view the schedule and make an appointment at HHW.org
Plastic Free July
There’s still time to make a pledge to ditch single-use plastic as part of Plastic Free July (and beyond!). Join millions of people reducing their plastic waste by visiting plasticefreejuly.org to take the pledge and find inspiration for single-use alternatives.
More Virtual Activities
Not sure what to do with all of your food scraps? Want to boost your home gardening? UCCE is hosting FREE virtual community composting workshops. Register  here .

  • Saturday, July 18, 10am-12pm
  • Thursday, July 23, 6pm-7:30pm
  • Saturday, July 25, 10am-12pm
Join the UCCE Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County for this informative webinar on summer fruit tree care. Register here .
 
  • Saturday, July 18, 1-2pm
Are you considering leasing or buying an electric vehicle (EV) and want real information versus a sales pitch? Join this online class to hear from local, long-time EV drivers and experts on their experiences. Register here .

  • Wednesday, July 22, 5:30pm-7pm
Join this webinar hosted by  StopWaste  and the  Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN)  to hear from experts about how your home's heating and cooling system, building shell, cooking appliances, and more can impact the health and comfort of your family. Then, learn about how to take advantage of free technical support and up to $6,000 in rebates offered through the  BayREN Home+  program. Register here .

  • Wednesday, July 22, 8pm-9pm
Join the Ecology Center and a variety of local community partners for a virtual salon to discover solutions on how to make plastic-free living a reality. From grocery shopping and personal care to reuse programs and sustainable fashion and gardening, join this webinar for tips, demonstrations, and plastic-free ideas to inspire your zero waste efforts! Learn more and register here .

  • Saturday, July 25, 11am-12:30pm
Concerned about climate change? Want to learn how to make a REAL difference in lowering your carbon footprint, saving money, greening your food choices, transportation and finances, improving your health, increasing community, impacting policy, and more? This 3-part evening class takes the guesswork out of where to spend your precious time, and provides a supportive environment within which to affect real change. Learn more  here .
 
  • Wednesdays, August 5, 12, 19, 6:30-8:30pm
Food production and distribution contributes up to 33% of global greenhouse gases emitted by human activity. Livestock production is responsible for 58% of all emissions from agriculture, and half of these emissions come from ruminants, such as cattle. Join Professor Pete Smith for Acterra’s virtual lecture about livestock, diets, and soil carbon sequestration. Register here .

  • Wednesday, August 12, 10:30am-11:30am
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!
Want to stay updated on more Sustainability news and local events? Like us on  Facebook !
Subscribe to this newsletter here .
Read previous newsletters here.
https://www.mountainview.gov/img/00/mv_logo.png