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Sustainable Santa Clara - June 2021 |
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Masks are Litter too!
Protect the environment while protecting yourself. Over the last year or so, our community has risen to the challenge of keeping each other safe by masking up. Masks certainly keep us protected. But when they are left in the streets or blow away, they become litter that can cause pollution to our waterways, harm wildlife and end up contributing to the harmful amounts of plastic breaking down in our environment. Masks left behind in our parks and streets are also unsightly and unhygienic. The next time you mask up to protect yourself and others, think about how you can also protect our beautiful City, our environment, and wildlife by masking down responsibly and putting trash in its place.
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 Another Cleanup Campaign has ended and this year, crews collected 251.54 tons of clean yard waste for composting!
The City of Santa Clara is seeking feedback for the 2021 Cleanup Campaign. If you participated in the 2021 Cleanup Campaign, we would like to hear your feedback. By filling out a short survey, you will provide valuable input for the City to maintain the highest quality services available to our residents.
The survey will be available until June 25.
Complete the survey today!
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 The City installed a photovoltaic (PV) system on the roof of Northside Branch Library as part of a community-supported and grant funded program administered by Silicon Valley Power. The new PV system will provide at least 62 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity—more than 20 percent of the Library’s annual electric use. The community will be able to track the benefits of the project through an onsite educational computer monitor that will display the PV system’s output.
Read the full news story.
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Summer calls for outings, backyard BBQs and other fun events! When the fun is over, make sure all bottles and cans find their way to the recycling bin. Santa Clara residents may borrow recycling receptacles through the ClearStream Program for free! Collected recyclables can then be taken to a nearby recycling center and redeemed for cash!
Please Fill out the ClearStream Checkout Form if you're interested in borrowing a receptacle.
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Not only is the personal use of fireworks illegal, but they can be a concentrated contributor to pollution on our streets, waterways, and in the general environment. This year wow your family and friends with fun, safe, and sustainable ways to celebrate:
- Host an outdoor movie night
- Have a 4th of July themed dress up day
- Enjoy a picnic or fly a kite at your local park
- Make a red, white and blue snack spread
- Plan an outdoor family game night
- Have a backyard campout
- Host an outdoor red, white and blue DIY craft night
- Celebrate with professional firework shows across the Bay Area or at California’s Great America
For more information about fireworks safety in Santa Clara, visit SantaClaraCA.gov/Fireworks.
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This July, declare your independence from plastic! This includes plastic bags, straws, packaging, and other plastic items meant to be used once and discarded. Here are some ways to be plastic-free:
- Bring your own bags
- Buy loose produce
- Avoid processed foods
- Avoid disposable food ware
- Bring a reusable water bottle
- Say no to straws and lids when possible
- Buy snacks in bulk and portion out in reusable containers
- Enjoy ice cream in a cone – no cup, no spoon!
- Make your own environmentally friendly household cleaners
- Join this global movement by taking the pledge at plasticfreejuly.org
What are other ways in which you can avoid plastic in your life? Share with us on social media using the hashtag #PlasticFreeJuly, #KeepSCClean or #SustainableSantaClara
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Be a Conservation Hero
with these Helpful Tips
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Become a Wise Warrior
The weather that makes Santa Clara such a wonderful place to live is upon us. Our mindsets are of sunny days, weekend cookouts, long days at the park and warm evenings in the yard. This summer, we're asking Santa Claran’s to take action and flex their sustainability muscles by conserving water! Water is a critical resource that we all have at the tip of our taps. But that resource depends on all of us using it wisely. Check out the many ways you can be a water wise warrior and help save water this summer. Every drop counts!
For water conservation devices, rebates and tips, visit SantaClaraCA.gov/WaterConservation
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Let the Party Soar, not the Balloons!
Balloons may be a cheerful way to celebrate a special event, but their impacts can outweigh their fun. All balloons can end up polluting or causing power outages.
- Mylar balloons are made of metallicized plastic, making it a non-recyclable material.
- When released, they can end up as litter in our neighborhoods, or even worse, in an aquatic ecosystem (i.e., creek, ocean, etc.), where animals can mistake balloon debris for food or become entangled.
- Loose balloons can get tangled in the overhead power lines, causing power outages for thousands of customers.
If you are at a celebration with balloons, remind friends and family to cut or pop balloons before putting them in the trash to prevent them from flying away.
Consider celebrating with safer and more eco-friendly alternatives like bubbles, flags, banners, streamers, and tissue paper pompoms.
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Outdoor Water Tips
Guzzle Free Garden - Be water and penny wise
It’s easy to think that our yard needs lots of water to survive. But many landscapes require fewer watering days or shorter watering times than you might think. Considering rebates to loose your lawn? Summer is a great time to take advantage of a variety of rebates to create beautiful, drought resilient landscapes that can lower monthly water bills and conserve water. Remember to water only between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. to reduce evaporation and keep your watering to a maximum of 3 days per week.
For more information on ways to conserve water, visit SantaClaraCA.gov/WaterConservation
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Indoor Water Tips (that is also a waste tip!)
Skip the sink and compost your food scraps
Getting rid of your unusable food scraps down the sink garbage disposal uses a lot of running water that you could be saving for drinking, cooking, or other important uses. Instead of washing food scraps down the drain, give them new purpose by composting! You’ll conserve water at the tap and improve your garden health and water retention.
To learn more about how easy composting is, sign up for this month’s compost workshop at ucanr.edu/compost
If outdoor composting isn’t an option for you, look into vermicomposting (composting with worms), which takes up very little space. Otherwise, rest assured that the un-usable food waste that you put in your trash bin is now getting diverted from the landfill and recovered through the City of Santa Clara’s mixed waste processing
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Celebrate Happenings all Month Long |
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Learn how to build, maintain, and troubleshoot a home compost bin at a free workshop on Saturday, June 26, or Saturday, September 25, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Everett N. "Eddie" Souza Community Garden.
To register visit ucanr.edu/compost
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Summer is here and it’s a great time to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful weather with a bike ride along the San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail! If you’re in the market for a new bicycle this year, consider an electric bicycle, also known as an e-bike. E-bikes are great for recreational riding, and they offer a fun and healthy commute alternative. With pedal assistance, e-bikes make longer rides easier and faster. If you’re not ready for an electric vehicle, an e-bike is a great way to electrify your commute! Silicon Valley Power is currently offering a rebate up to $300 off the purchase of an electric bike, with an additional rebate up to $200 off for income-qualified customers.
For more information, visit SiliconValleyPower.com/Rebates.
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Calling all community superheroes! Do you have a desire for making your neighborhood a better, more beautiful place? Discover how rewarding caring for your community can be with the Adopt-a-Spot Tool Lending Program. Borrow the tools needed for a successful litter cleanup in Santa Clara. Pick a location, gather some friends and set a date that works with your schedule. Participants must follow the County of Santa Clara's current safety directives regarding COVID-19.
For more information, program guidelines, or to apply, visit SantaClaraCA.gov/AdoptaSpot.
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