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Every quarter, the City issues this Sustainable Manhattan Beach newsletter to share information about programs and resources for our residents and businesses, upcoming events, and environmental updates and news from the City.
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Turn a new leaf with these sustainable New Year's resolutions
Take a digital-detox day. Swap screen time for books, board games, or a refreshing beach walk to reconnect with yourself, your friends and family, and with nature.
Buy fresh and local. Visit the Downtown Manhattan Beach Farmers’ Market on Tuesdays to reduce your carbon footprint while supporting local businesses, crafters, and farms.
Grow something green. Try your hand at growing herbs in your garden or right on your windowsill to enjoy fresh, homegrown ingredients with your meals.
Refresh by reducing waste. Before buying something new, ask yourself a few simple questions:
- Does something I already own serve the same purpose?
- Can I get this item second-hand or borrow it from a friend or neighbor?
- Does it have a long useful life or can someone else benefit from it after me?
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City of Manhattan Beach Recognized Third Consecutive Year for Energy Efficiency and Climate Work |
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The City of Manhattan Beach was recognized in the 2025 South Bay Energy and Climate Recognition Program at the Platinum Level on December 11, 2025. Manhattan Beach was one of four cities recognized at the Platinum level, the highest level awarded, alongside the Cities of Carson, Gardena, and Torrance. |
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The South Bay Energy and Climate Recognition Program recognizes participating cities for climate action and adaptation, environmental education and engagement, and implementing energy efficiency measures.
Manhattan Beach’s 2025 achievements include adoption of the City's Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, energy efficiency facility audits, LED sports lighting upgrades at Village Field, community engagement, and more.
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Manhattan Beach Blue City Certification
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Project O’s mission is to restore, protect, and sustain the ocean through their work with cities in the Blue City Network and engagement with students through field trips and presentations at schools.
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Reusable plastic bags are no longer permitted for distribution at grocery and retail stores as of January 1, 2026. |
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Single-use plastic bags have been banned in Manhattan Beach since 2008 and banned throughout the State since 2014. However, single-use bag bans still allowed reusable plastic bags. Research conducted by CalRecycle found that the shift to thicker reusable plastic bags, which generally are not reused by consumers, caused a 47% increase in plastic bag waste from 2014 to 2021. Now, California has removed the exception for reusable plastic bags. Grocery and retail stores are only permitted to offer a paper bag at the point of sale as of January 1, 2026. |
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This is an important step forward in the effort to reduce single-use waste and plastic pollution. Plastic bags are more likely to become litter than paper bags considering their light-weight and inflatable features - they are easily blown by the wind and end up in the environment, causing significant harm to marine wildlife and pollution on our beautiful beaches.
If you are a business owner or manager and have questions about how this new law impacts you, City staff is here to help! Reply directly to this email or give us a call at (310) 802-5508.
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Manhattan Beach has been recognizing local businesses for their sustainable practices and efforts to advance environmental stewardship in the community through the Green Business Program since 2012. Certified Green Businesses benefit from a healthier workplace, significant cost savings and access to financial incentives/rebates, and local recognition.
The Green Business Program is free to all Manhattan Beach businesses. Whether your business has a storefront or you're operating an online business from your home - all are eligible.
Congratulations to these newly certified Manhattan Beach Green Businesses!
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Residents can place their live-cut holiday tree at the curb for collection on their regular collection day now through January 11, 2026. Trees are to be placed at the curb or in the Organics cart for collection and adhere to the following collection guidelines:
- Trees must be no taller than 7 feet or cut into 7-foot sections.
- Please remove all decorations including tinsel, lights, ornaments, and tree stands.
- Flocked trees will be collected, but cannot be recycled.
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Artificial Tree Recycling: Artificial or "fake" trees can be collected by Waste Management as part of their bulky item program. To schedule a bulky item pick up for an artificial tree, contact Waste Management directly at (310) 830-7100.
Holiday Light Recycling: Holiday lights and other electronic waste can be collected by Waste Management as part of their bulky item program. To schedule a bulky item pick up, contact Waste Management directly at (310) 830-7100.
Do you have holiday lights and artificial trees still in good, working condition? Please consider donating them to a local second-hand shop before disposing!
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Clean Power Alliance (CPA) has been providing Manhattan Beach residents and businesses with clean energy options since 2018, offering renewable energy at competitive rates to the community. CPA purchases clean power from renewable sources and Southern California Edison delivers it to customers through the grid. |
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Since joining CPA in 2018, Manhattan Beach has avoided 314,250,000 pounds of C02 emissions, the equivalent of taking approximately 33,200 passenger vehicles off the road for one year. Last year, Manhattan Beach avoided approximately 51 million pounds of CO2 emissions, equivalent to removing more than 5,300 passenger vehicles from the road for one year. This includes the first three quarters of 2025; Quarter four data is still pending.
As of December 2025, 96.2% of Manhattan Beach customers are purchasing 100% green power supplied by solar and wind energy produced solely in California. Not sure if you are purchasing 100% green power? View your options and check your enrollment status at cleanpoweralliance.org/rateoptions, or give CPA a call directly at 888-585-3788.
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Dune Restoration Volunteer Events
Help restore Manhattan Beach's coastal dunes. Volunteers will help remove non-native iceplant and plant and seed native dune species as an approach to increase coastal resiliency.
Tools and gloves will be provided. Wear close-toed shoes and bring water and sun protection.
Saturday, January 24, 2026, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Check in at Bruce's Beach at 26th and Ocean
Save the date for these future events:
Saturday, February 21, 2026, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Saturday, March 21, 2026, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
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 Free Paper Shred Events
Did you know paper that you shred at home can't be recycled in your blue curbside recycling cart? Loose shredded paper clogs up the recycling sorting machines and bagged items are not accepted for recycling. Instead, bring your confidential documents to one of Waste Management's free community paper shred events! Documents will be securely shredded onsite.
Upcoming Events:
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April 25, 2026, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Mira Costa High School
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June 20, 2026, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Mira Costa High School
Households and businesses may bring up to three boxes (no larger than 10x12x15).
Please carefully check all boxes of documents prior to event participation to ensure they are free of any non-paper items including medicine, pens, pencils, binder clips, paper clips, CDs, or other non-paper materials. Only paper documents will be accepted at this event.
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 Seaside Daisy, Erigeron glaucus
Free Sustainable Landscaping and Gardening Classes
Attend California Friendly® landscaping classes at no cost. Explore a variety of free virtual and in-person workshops on topics like California Friendly® and native plant landscaping, turf removal, garden design, rainwater capture, irrigation basics, and more.
Classes are offered by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California in collaboration with local water agencies.
January Classes:
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CA Friendly & Native Plant Landscape Training: January 8, 2026, 5:00 PM to 6:15 PM (virtual)
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Transforming Lawns: A Sustainable Approach: January 13, 2026, 5:00 PM to 6:15 PM (virtual)
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Garden Design Seminar: January 15, 2026, 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM (virtual)
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Rain to Roots - Water for Your Garden: January 20, 2026, 5:00 PM to 6:15 PM (virtual)
Click here or the button below to RSVP and view the full list of available classes.
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 California Poppy, Eschscholzia californica
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As winter comes to an end, spring forward with these sustainable spring cleaning tips
Choose reusable cleaning tools. Bamboo scrub brushes, Swedish dishcloths, cloth towels, and washable dusters can help cut down single-use waste.
Air-dry when possible. Skip the dryer and take advantage of the power of the sun or use wool dryer balls to reduce energy use and keep clothing in great condition.
Donate thoughtfully. Lightly used items you no longer need can make a big difference for someone else. Consider donating to animal shelters, thrift stores, humane societies, or local food pantries. Tip: animal shelters are almost always in need of blankets and towels!
Go beyond the 3 Rs. When clearing out clutter, think beyond "reduce, reuse, recycle," and consider if something can also be repaired or repurposed.
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Manhattan Beach’s Environmental Sustainability Division strives to create a healthy, sustainable, and resilient city while furthering the City’s long history of environmental leadership, policy, and stewardship, both as a community and as a city government.
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