Participants

 Baskin Robbins (2)*
Century Car Wash
Century 21 Union Realty
Chapin Restaurant and Bakery
Charly's Restaurant (2)*
Courtyard (2)*
Real Estate Managment Services Inc.
 S GBC_Logo outh Bay Cities Council of Governments
 Green Building Challenge Newsletter | Dec. 14 , 2016

 Welcome
During this holiday season we would like to thank Green Building Challenge participants for your commitment to sustainability and for your many positive contributions to the South Bay community. The South Bay Cities Council of Governments Board of Directors and staff wish you happy holidays and a prosperous new year!
Free Holiday Light Exchange
Make your business shine with a free set of LED holiday lights! The first 10 GBC participants who exchange one strand of old incandescent holiday lights and share an Energy Story will receive a set of 100 warm white LED holiday lights! Strands and stories must be received by December 22 and our staff is available to come to you.  

We thank Energy Upgrade California®  for being a major sponsor of our Holiday Light Exchange that was held last month for residents in the South Bay.   Once again, we were able to take hundreds of energy-guzzling incandescent lights off the grid. We are delighted that we can open the Holiday Light Exchange to 10 of our GBC participants.

Energy Upgrade CA is a state initiative to help Californians take action to save energy and conserve natural resources, help reduce demand on the electricity grid, and make informed energy management choices at home and at work. 

As an Energy Upgrade CA Community Outreach Ambassador, the South Bay Cities Council of Governments is collecting Energy Stories that demonstrate how people are making changes in their energy habits or using Energy Upgrade CA practices, programs or initiatives that have assisted them in conserving energy and helping the environment. 

Ten sets of lights are available on a first come-first served basis. Contact us at 310-371-7222 or by email at gbc@southbaycities.org to have your lights delivered!

Green Tips for the Holidays 
from the South Bay Environmental Services Center 
During the holiday season, there is a significant increase in waste as well as energy and water usage.  According the US EPA, 25 percent more trash is generated between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day and the extra waste amounts to 25 million tons! 

Please keep the following tips in mind this season: 
  • Turn off or unplug exterior holiday lights during the day. 
  • Think "green" while shopping by purchasing items with minimal packaging and made from recycled materials. Check product labels for recyclability. 
  • Bring reusable bags for holiday gift shopping. 
  • Wrap gifts in recycled or reused wrapping paper or newspaper. 
  • Consider non-material gifts and homemade goodies.
  • If hosting a party, set the table with cloth napkins and reusable settings. Post party, fill your dishwasher to capacity and compost leftovers.
Also consider reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions by minimizing car use to save gas and reduce air pollution while shopping or attending holiday parties.  Try Travel Pal @ southbaytravelpal.com for travel alternatives such as using public transportation, carpooling, biking or walking.  Shop local!
Volunteers Honored 

The South Bay Cities Council of Governments and Environmental Services Center was pleased to honor dedicated volunteers at a special reception on November 17. The volunteer recognition program paid tribute to all volunteers for both annual and cumulative contributions with special recognition given to those volunteers who have contributed more than 50 hours of service. Volunteers have contributed more than 16,000 hours supporting staff in conducting outreach and education in the South Bay community as well assisting with office work. We encourage anyone who is interested to sign up to become a volunteer today! Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Martha Segovia at 310-371-7222 extension 209. 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Contact Us
Phone: 310-371-7222