M7.4 Local Environmental Services

Daly City Going Green

It brings me great pride and joy to know that Daly City is active in the global movement to reduce the earth's carbon footprint.

http://www.dalycity.org/City_Hall/Departments/city_manager/Daly_City_s_Green_Vision.htm

• Project Green Space and Urban Forestry - The City recently received a $25k grant to support tree planting and rain gardens by local volunteers to regrow our urban forest. New green spaces will boost our resilience to climate change impacts. 
• Blog: This is an efficient environmental health program that knocks out multiple birds with one stone. Not only does it empower community members to have control of their environment by creating, preserving and stewardship, it also provides opportunities for the youth to immerse in stewardship of the earth. This saves the city funds diverted to crime management in the youth.
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• Bay Area Sunshares - Daly City joined nearly 40 cities and employers across the Bay Area to offer discounts on solar systems and zero-emission vehicles. Learn more about your clean energy options, even if you are a renter. Limited time only. Attend a free workshop at City Hall on September 29th to learn more. Sign up to receive your free, no-obligation quotes by November 4th. 

• Blog: This echoes the federal government incentive of tax deductions for installing solar energy panels. Even my parents were considering in investing int solar energy panels.

• Citywide Composting Program - All residents and businesses now have the opportunity to participate in the new curbside collection of organic waste. Food scraps and food soiled paper products can now be diverted from the landfill and instead turned into nutrient-dense compost. Use your green compost cart and kitchen pails to collect all organic waste.

• Blog: This program is efficient and fosters a sense of civil duty for community members. The fact that the city provides the green bins for compost makes it easier for residents to abide to such civil duty of composting.

• Peninsula Clean Energy - The City Council voted unanimously to join Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE)in January 2016. Now, the County of San Mateo and all 20 cities on the peninsula will be able to use their combined electricity demand to buy and develop renewable, clean power on behalf of all residents and businesses. PCE will help accomplish the greenhouse gas reduction goals of the City's Climate Action Plan and introduce consumer choice to an energy market where none currently exists. 

• Blog: Of all the programs implemented by the city of Daly City, none brings me as much pride as this program on Peninsula Clean Energy, because it shows that the local government truly advocates for the environmental health of its community members by enacting such a prgram that purchases and develops renewable, clean power for its businesses and residents. This program impacts the whole community for generations to come.

• Ordinance

  
  

  Prohibition on Use of Polystyrene-Based Disposable Food Service Ware by Food Vendors, Adopted 2012

  The ordinance will help protect the health and safety of the residents, wildlife and habitat in Daly City, while reducing the amount of waste sent to the landfill. The ordinance includes the following:

  
  

  Prohibits food vendors, including restaurants, delis, cafes, markets, fast-food establishments, vendors at fairs, and food trucks, from dispensing prepared food in polystyrene containers labeled as No. 6

  
  

  Does not prohibit the use of polystyrene for pre-packaged foods (e.g., prepackaged meets or eggs in markets)

  
  

  Does not apply to non-food businesses that use polystyrene for packaging

  
  

  Does not include lids, straws, or utensils

  
  
  

  Blog: Of all the ordinances implemented by the city of Daly City, none brings me as much pride as the ones described above. The ordinance about the prohibition on the use of polystyrene-based disposable food service ware is a direct movement that will definitely send a message to manufacturers. This reduces the potential health effects from the consumption of polystyrene -based disposable food service.  

• Energy Audits for Businesses - In partnership with San Mateo County Energy Watch a citywide campaign to provide free energy audits to local businesses launched spring 2015.

• Blog: It brings me pride to know that Daly City is supportive in doing business with locals by providing free energy audits. 

• Energy Upgrade California® Home Upgrade - Homeowners can improve their home's energy efficiency, increase comfort, and save money by receiving up to $6,500 in incentives and rebates, plus $300 for a home energy assessment.

• Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing - PACE makes energy- and water-saving renovations affordable for property owners by providing long-term, competitive financing through an additional property tax assessment. Payments are made through the property tax bill for up to 20 years, and interest is tax-deductible.
• Blog: The two programs described above makes it is easier for the residents to participate in interventions and practices that help to reduce the carbon footprint...they are major incentives.

• Earth Day Event 2016 - Residents are invited to City Hall on Sat., Apr 16th from 10am - 2pm for free document shredding, e-waste drop-off, bulky item recycling, compost giveaway and more.
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events - San Mateo County residents can safely dispose of household hazardous waste (HHW) free of charge at a special drop-off collection event at City Hall, at 333 90th Street four times per year.
• E-Waste Recycling Event - Electronic equipment is highly toxic to the environment. Residents may safely dispose of it at two events per year.    
• Document Shredding Event - Two times per year, residents may protect themselves by shredding documents at the City's recycling event.
• Blog: The city supported events described above are convenient and resourceful. I have often wondered how to safely discard unused or obsolete electronics and cleaning products. A major incentive is that it is free to participate in these events.
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