Have you been looking for ways to retrofit your home to be more energy efficient? Do you think it’s come time for you to switch to all electric appliances, or get an electric vehicle? Look no further than this new guide by Redwood Energy, in collaboration with Menlo Spark and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. It’s a comprehensive guide on everything you need to know to make your home and vehicle a "Zero Emissions All-Electric" powerhouse! Read the guide here.

Have you ever been curious about how energy consumption is distributed across the Bay Area? Are you interested in learning how energy is used across different demographics? Bay Area Renewable Energy Network (BayREN) has created a great tool, in partnership with UCLA, that breaks down energy consumption along residential income, building types, building sizes, and more! Check out this fascinating visualization here.

Give your garden some much-needed nutrients with compost produced from local yard trimmings and is certified organic. Mountain View residents may pick up free, finished compost at the SMaRT Station (301 Carl Road in Sunnyvale) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. The limit is 96-gallons per week. Be sure to bring your own shovel and container! Available supply of compost can vary, so call 408-752-8530 before you visit. More information can be found here.

Protect your privacy by shredding confidential papers such as bank statements, pay stubs, canceled checks, and credit offers. Proof of residency is required, but no appointment is needed. There is a limit of five bags or banker boxes per household. Late arrivals may not be served. Learn more here.

Dirty Dozen Item of the Month: Egg Cartons

The “Dirty Dozen” are 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.

Whether made of clear or foam plastic or molded paper, egg cartons cannot be recycled in our area. There is no recycling market demand for the types of plastic or foam used for egg cartons, and the paper fibers are not able to be remade into new paper products. Please place foam or plastic cartons in the trash. Molded paper cartons can be placed in the compost/food scraps cart, or composted in a backyard bin. Learn more about the Dirty Dozen here.

Have you ever wondered what to do with old towels or worn-out socks? Instead of throwing these items in the trash cart, there is now an easy and convenient option. Beginning July 1, residents with curbside cart service can put clean used clothing and textiles in a secured, clear plastic bag marked for donation on your regular weekly collection day. Items will be sorted for donation or recycling based on their condition. For more information about what types of items are accepted and how to place them out for collection, visit MountainView.gov/whatsnew.

In honor of World Refill Day (June 16) and Plastic-free July, join Upstream Solutions in their Reusable Blitz to celebrate businesses that offer or accept reusable and refillable foodware items. You can help support the reduction of single-use plastics by visiting businesses in your community to find out whether they offer reusable or refillable options to customers, spread the word about businesses that support reusables on social media, and share more information about why reusables are a cost-effective and safe option, even in a pandemic! Visit the Upstream Solutions website to check out the #ReusableBlitz Toolkit, connect with local volunteers, and help welcome back reusables to local businesses!