Community Garden Workshop |
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Sunday, January 23, 12:00pm-2:00pm |
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As part of our Plant-Based Eating series, the City of Mountain View is proud to host our first community gardening event. This in-person workshop will instruct you on how to start your own garden, no matter your gardening experience or the size of your space. Take full advantage of Mountain View’s unique climate, where you can grow your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs year-round! This workshop will cover planting seasons, water-conscious gardening, how to make the most of your space from container pots to garden beds, and a hands-on planting activity so you can take home your very own seedling. The event will take place at the Soil & Water Garden, a learning-focused community garden at Heritage Park. It will be held in Spanish and English, and all ages are encouraged to attend.
Register for the workshop here.
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Electric Vehicle Action Plan |
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Electric vehicles are a key component in addressing emissions from transportation in our community. Over the last year, the City of Mountain View has worked to develop an Electric Vehicle Action Plan (EVAP), which is now published on the City’s website here. The EVAP is a high-level plan identifying strategies, policies, and programs to support equitable electric vehicle adoption and deployment of EV charging infrastructure. We invite you to take a look at the EVAP to see how the City plans to support electric vehicle adoption in our community.
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Electrify Your Life - Coming Soon!
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Interested in going electric to save money and help the planet, but not sure where to start? The City will soon launch its newest resource called Electrify Mountain View. This online platform will offer personalized recommendations on how to electrify all aspects of your life. At no cost, you will be able to learn about actions such as driving an EV, installing solar power or a heat pump water heater, and cooking with an induction stove. To sign up to be notified about the upcoming launch, visit MountainView.gov/Sustainability.
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Gift Wrap Sustainably
Did you know that between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, American household waste increases by more than 25%? Help cut down on your holiday waste by using bags and boxes that can be reused each year instead of disposable gift packaging. Instead of cellophane or tissue paper, try reusable fabric squares to wrap around gifts! You can also save ribbons and gift bags to use again next year. Only paper gift wrap (non-metallic, no foil) can be recycled. Plain tissue paper (no glitter) can be put in the compost. All other gift packaging should be reused if possible or put in the trash. Keep reading for more zero waste holiday tips!
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Give the Gift of Good Times
Think outside the box this holiday season! Instead of buying stuff that will eventually end up in the landfill, give the gift of experiences. Here are a few ideas:
- For the avid reader: e-books, or a subscription for audio books or a digital newspaper
- For the foodie: gift certificates to a favorite restaurant, or even a cooking class
- For the sports fan: tickets to see their favorite team, or a minor league or college game
- For the adventurer: an annual state or national park pass, or a class to learn a fun new outdoor activity
- For the art or music lover: museum memberships, or tickets to exhibits or concerts
- For the activist: donate to a nonprofit that supports their favorite cause
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Reduce Your Holiday Food Waste
Whether you’re sticking to traditional holiday meals or getting creative in the kitchen this year, you can minimize your food waste and keep family and friends well-fed by following these tips:
- Freeze vegetable scraps and meat bones to make stock. Keep a bag or container of scraps in the freezer as you prepare your meals throughout the holidays, then use to make stock or broth for homemade soup.
- Roast leftover or soft veggies and add to soups or sides.
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Use up overripe fruit by baking it into a pie or bread. Ask guests to RSVP and use this guest-imator to calculate how much food you need.
- Encourage guests to bring their own reusable containers to take leftovers home.
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A Mountain View Resident’s Story - Decarbonizing My House |
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Did you know that nearly one-quarter of climate-changing pollution in Silicon Valley comes from natural gas used in our homes and buildings, primarily for space and water heating? To reach our community’s carbon reduction goals, we need to “decarbonize” a majority of our homes and buildings over the next several years. Read here about a Mountain View resident’s experience decarbonizing their home and their thoughts on the road ahead. Below are some programs, incentives, and rebates available to help residents who are interested in going electric:
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Check out SVCE’s $2,000 heat pump water heater rebates here.
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Discover more home electrification rebates here.
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Read Mountain View residents’ stories and advice about home electrification here.
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Talk to an Electric Home Ambassador (see more below) who’s already made the switch and can offer personalized advice.
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Electric Home Ambassador Program |
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Whether you are committed to making the switch from gas to electric or are just starting to think about it, talking to a neighbor who’s already gone through the process is an invaluable resource. Through the Electric Home Ambassador Program, you’ll be matched with someone with a similar background who can share their experience and offer personalized advice. The program covers all different types of home electrification, from replacing an old gas furnace to adding solar or getting an induction cooktop. You can learn more about the program here or sign up to be matched with an ambassador here.
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Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) has launched a free online resource to help Mountain View residents make easy, informed choices about switching to all-electric living.
The eHub features information on how change starts with clean electricity, how driving electric is the biggest single action you can take to stop pollution while saving money, and how you can improve your indoor air quality at home with efficient, electric appliances. Visit the new eHub here.
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Simple Steps to Conserve Water |
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The Mountain View City Council recently declared a Stage 1 water shortage emergency condition due to the ongoing drought in California. Below are ideas for actions you can take to conserve water:
● Check for leaks
● Switch to a water-efficient showerhead (Look for a WaterSense label to verify savings)
● Choose California natives and water-wise plants over lawns and non-natives
● Reduce your meat consumption (A single pound of beef takes about 1,800 gallons of water to produce.)
Taking even one of these actions to conserve water will have a positive environmental impact. Learn more about water-saving tips, programs, and available rebates here.
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Holiday Collection and Tree Recycling
Since Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall over the weekend this year, there is no impact on residential services. Please set your carts out for collection on the regularly scheduled day.
For residents with curbside cart service, holiday trees will be collected at no charge on your compost collection day from Monday, December 27 until Friday, January 21. Make sure to follow the set out instructions and remove decorations and metal or plastic stands. If your tree was set out properly and not collected, please contact Recology at 650-967-3034 or [email protected]. For more information, visit MountainView.gov/Holidays.
Residents of multi-family properties with shared trash bins may contact their property manager to arrange for on-site tree collection services.
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Recycle Old Holiday Lights
Don’t trash your broken or burnt-out holiday lights - recycle them using one of the following take-back services: Drop-off at the SMaRT Station at 301 Carl Road, Sunnyvale. Look for the collection container labeled “Holiday Light Recycling” in the Buy-Back and Drop-Off Center. Mail them into the Christmas Light Source recycling program, which will use the proceeds to donate to the Toys for Tots program. You will also receive a discount code for the purchase of new lights.
Holiday lights cannot be recycled in our curbside program and create problems by jamming the facility equipment, which causes delays, so please keep them out of your recycling carts!
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More Activities + Resources |
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Celebrate a "Plantiful New Year" |
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Thinking about New Year’s resolutions that help the planet? Make 2022 a healthy new year by joining “Plantiful New Year,” a challenge hosted by local nonprofit Acterra to encourage more plant-forward eating. You will receive helpful tips and plant-based recipes that don’t sacrifice variety, flavor, or fulfillment — and you’ll be boosting your health and that of our planet. Customize your goal and get started at acterra.org/plantiful-challenge, or reach out at [email protected] with questions. It’s free to register.
When: The New Year! January 1st-31st, 2022
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Tree Planting at Hoover Elementary School |
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Are you interested in learning how to plant trees and grow the Bay Area’s tree canopy? Come to Canopy’s December tree planting event at Hoover Elementary School in Palo Alto. All ages and experience levels are welcome, and tools and gloves will be provided. Learn more and sign up for tree planting here.
When: Saturday, December 18, 9:00am-12:30pm
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The City of Palo Alto Utilities put together some great guides on how to save energy in various home situations.
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Read previous newsletters here.
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