Short Plant-Based Eating Survey
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We want to hear from you! Drawing from Sustainability Action Plan 4, we are working to identify potential actions the City could take in order to promote plant-based eating in Mountain View. What ideas do you have for related programs, policies, or outreach efforts?
Let us know by filling out
this 5 minute survey
on Collaborate Mountain View.
We are accepting responses until 11:59pm on Sunday, March 29.
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We're Hiring -- Sustainability Fellow
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Through the Climate Corps
program, the City of Mountain View is excitedly seeking a
Sustainability Fellow
to help with our
community engagement
goals related to climate action, resilience, and social equity. This full-time, paid fellowship runs from September 2020 through June 2021. It is a great opportunity for an outgoing, confident, detail-oriented individual with strong creative, verbal, written, and research skills who wants to make a real difference through engaging with our residents, businesses, and city employees.
For more information about the position, and to apply, see the
position description here
.
Candidates who apply by
APRIL 5
will be given priority consideration, but applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.
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Earth Day 2020 -- Digital Resource Guide
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The City’s Sustainability team has been closely monitoring developments from the County of Santa Clara’s Public Health Department and the Mountain View City Manager’s office regarding steps to minimize the spread of COVID-19. As a result, we made the regrettable decision to
CANCEL the in-person Earth Day event
previously scheduled for April 18
.
Now, we are taking this as an opportunity to get creative with how we share sustainability information and celebrate Earth Day! Stay tuned for
a
digital Earth Day resource guide
-- coming April 22
.
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Tips from Zero Waste Chef
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We asked local zero waste leader, Anne Marie Bonneau (a.k.a.
Zero Waste Chef
), for some tips on staying healthy, reducing waste, and keeping busy during the current "shelter-in-place" order for the Bay Area. Here's what she said.
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"People can't buy in bulk right now and they must eat. A lot of zero wasters feel terribly guilty if they slip up. This is not the time for that (and actually, there is never a time for that). Everyone can only do their best.
One idea, though, to cut down on packaging is to buy the biggest packages of dry goods you can find—if you will eat all the food. So, if you can eat 25 pounds of rice over a few months, buy the giant bag. Or split it with a friend. That will work out to much less packaging than a pile of smaller packages. Another thing you can do:
eat all the food you buy
. Out of necessity, most people are about to get a crash course in how to use up everything. Make soup. You can add just about anything to soup: beans, grains, vegetables that need to be used up, leftover meat if you eat meat, the last bit of herbs in the fridge, and so on. Stretch every bit of food you have and you can put off going to the store for longer."
Bonneau also has some good recommendations for activities to try out if you're stuck at home -- read her blog post
here
.
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Cool Block -- Checking In
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In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, we have advised Mountain View's Cool Block Leaders to
pause their Cool Block teams, and we have postponed trainings for new Block Leaders. Stay updated
here.
Ironically, current concerns surrounding COVID-19 are highlighting the need for programs like Cool Block to help people be prepared for emergencies and build better connections with their neighbors.
We are encouraging you to utilize your email lists, phone contacts, and other methods of virtual connection to check in on your neighbors
.
You can share information, see who needs help, and address the loneliness that may come with social isolation.
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Collaborate Mountain View
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We are excited to introduce you to
Collaborate Mountain View
,
a new engagement platform for the City’s sustainability efforts!
This new website gives community members an opportunity for quick, easy engagement with the City. Get updates on sustainability projects (e.g. buildings, energy, zero waste, transportation), provide input, share stories, answer surveys, & more.
New projects that you won't want to miss will be posted on
Collaborate Mountain View
in the coming months as we begin implementing Sustainability Action Plan 4.
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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.
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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.
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Changes to None-Essential Trash and Recycling Services
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The following services will be impacted during the “shelter-in-place” order in Santa Clara County (currently through April 7):
- The Buy-Back Center for the redemption of CRV containers at 935 Terra Bella Avenue will be closed. Residents can still drop off recycling during the normal hours of Monday through Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
- There will be no On Call Plus appointments for bulky item pickups. Residents can still exchange appointments for self-haul vouchers to bring items to the SMaRT Station. Please refrain from using a voucher at this time unless you are in serious need or are moving. Residents can request a voucher from Recology by calling (650) 967-3034 or picking one up at the Recycling Center (935 Terra Bella Avenue). Note that the SMaRT Station is closed to self-haul, but voucher holders may proceed to the gatehouse.
- Residents may experience longer than average hold times with the Recology customer service phone line. You can also send an email to ContactUsRMV@recology.com and a customer service representative will get back to you as soon as possible.
- There will be no cart or bin exchanges unless there is a safety issue. Contact Recology at (650) 967-3034 if you require an exchange due to a safety issue, or if your cart or bin is missing and you require a new one.
- The Buy-Back Center at the SMaRT Station is closed until April 7.
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Tips for Managing Trash Levels
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Recology cannot accommodate any requests for downsizing or upsizing residential trash carts at this time
, unless it is a safety issue. Save room in your trash cart by putting all food-soiled paper and food scraps in the compost cart (check out
this link to learn what goes in recycling vs. composting). Break down all cardboard and paper boxes, and bundle and tie any extra cardboard for collection.
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If you do produce extra trash during this period of limited service, you can set out an extra bag of trash as needed without a sticker next to your trash cart for collection. Please ensure the bag is tightly tied shut. This service is to accommodate extra trash generated from being home during shelter- in-place, and for those who need extra service for other reasons but cannot get a larger cart right now.
Please do not set out trash produced from home clean-up projects
.
The Center for Disease Control has determined that the COVID-19 virus is not a Category A infectious substance, therefore solid waste from households that is or is suspected to be contaminated with the virus can be managed as it would be for the flu. In an abundance of caution, you should ensure waste bags are tightly closed and curbside containers are not overfilled, to ensure the lids can close completely. Please notify Recology at (650) 967-3034
if you know or suspect your waste is contaminated with the COVID-19 virus.
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This month’s Confidential Paper Shredding Event was cancelled due to precautions against the spread of COVID-19. The next shredding event at the SMaRT Station will be held on July 11. Here are some other options if you would like to manage your paper shredding in the next few months:
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- The Mountain View Police Department is having a free paper shredding and prescription drug take-back event on April 25 from noon to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at 1000 Villa Street. Please note that while this event is currently scheduled, the City will monitor the COVID-19 situation closer to the date and may cancel this event and others in the future. There is no per-person maximum for paper or prescription drugs.
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- Many office supply, printer, and copy service stores provide document shredding services for a fee.*
- There are also companies that will come to your home and provide shredding services for a fee.* Typically, these home service companies charge a minimum of $80-$90 to provide curbside service at your home, plus a $5 or $10 fee per box. If you choose this home service, consider asking neighbors to join you and share the cost. Try an internet search for “home shredding services near me” to find a company and get a quote.*
*Please note that these services may not be available during the shelter-in-place order in Santa Clara County.
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Dirty Dozen Item of the Month: Black Plastic
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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.
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There is no market demand for black plastic. Black microwave trays, like clear clamshells, don’t melt well with other plastics in recycling facilities, and are often contaminated by food residues. Optical sorters used in many recycling facilities cannot “see” black items, so they cannot be easily sorted, and because they contain black pigment, black plastics can only be made into black items. Recycling firms prefer clear plastic, which can be dyed many different colors.
Reduce Waste Tip
: Black plastic is commonly used for takeout containers at food establishments. To avoid this type of plastic, bring your own storage containers to pack away leftovers from your meal and avoid a non-recyclable, disposable item
.
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Shelter-In-Place Activities
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Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) has a podcast series that takes a deeper dive into the electricity grid and the behind-the-scenes processes for the energy you use.
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PG&E is offering free classes and upcoming webinars. The course offerings are designed for complete novices to energy experts. Learn more and sign up
here.
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Although the Mountain View Public Library is closed, its Digital Library is still open! Access eBooks, eAudioBooks, streaming services, and more
here. If you do not have a library card, you can apply for a temporary one
here.
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Want to stay updated on more Sustainability news and local events? Follow us on Facebook!
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Subscribe to this newsletter
here.
Read previous newsletters
here.
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sustainability@mountainview.gov
www.mountainview.gov/sustainability
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