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Our Green City

PaloAltoGreen is the most successful green power program in the nation.  The City government is a Certified Green Business.  Palo Alto has even built a film festival around Earth Day.  It doesn’t get any greener than that.

City Launched a 5% Carbon Dioxide Reduction Goal
On October 14, City officials launched a 5% Carbon Dioxide Reduction Goal and helped to kick off of the United Nations Association Film Festival
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Reduce Plastics in our creeks and Bay
This page summarizes the City's work on reducing plastics in our local creeks and Bay.
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Restriction of Expanded Polystyrene Disposable Food Service Containers
Ordinance to restrict disposable food service containers made from expanded polystrene and non-recylable plastic disposable.
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Palo Alto's Integrated Pest Management Program 2008 Annual Report
This 2008 update summarizes the year's successes and challenges, reports on the City’s 2008 pesticide use data, discusses program accomplishments and progress on the 2007 report recommendations, and makes new program improvement recommendations.
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Announcing...the Green Neighbors Program
Invest in greenhouse gas reduction right here in Palo Alto!
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Mayor’s Green Ribbon Task Force On Climate Protection
Green Ribbon Task Force on Climate Protection, serving the Palo Alto/Stanford community.
( more task force information and reports )
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Hikes and Nature Programs
The City of Palo Alto offers a variety of nature programs and other activities in the open space preserves.
( interpretive program request form )
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Shared BYOBag Collateral
shared collateral for BYOBag campaign tools
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Palo Alto Approves Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The goal of the Climate Protection Plan is to present a comprehensive inventory of municipal (City government-generated) and community-generated emissions, propose reduction targets, and propose practical steps to reach those targets.
( visit the environment in palo alto pages )
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Green Business Program
What is it and how to get certified as a green business.
( view profiles of certified palo alto green businesses )
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City Sustainability Policy
It is the intent of the City of Palo Alto to be a sustainable community
( visit the environment in palo alto home page )
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Zero Waste Program Home Page
The City of Palo Alto's Zero Waste Program helps Palo Alto residents and businesses conserve natural resources by reducing their waste.
( visit the zero waste program home page )
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PaloAltoGreen Program
The affordable way to support 100% clean wind and solar power. 
( visit the paloaltogreen home page )
[more]		Windmill
Introduction to Zero Waste
On November 15, 2004, the Palo Alto City Council directed City staff to prepare a Zero Waste Plan for the Palo Alto community.  The goal of Zero Waste is to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills.
( visit the zero waste program home page )
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Business Recycling
Business recycling resources.
( visit business recycling )
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Best Management Practices for Mercury
Eliminating the use of mercury can make the process safer for health care professionals, patients, and the environment.
( visit the environmental compliance home page )
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Clean Bay Business Garden Centers And Hardware Stores
Local garden centers and hardware stores are helping to spread the word about non-toxic and less-toxic ways to manage pests.
( visit the environmental compliance home page )
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Industrial Storm Water
About the industrial Storm Water Management Plan.
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Bring Your Own Bag!
Make it a Habit and Grab it.
( visit the zero waste program home page )
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Geoexchange Heat Pump (GSHP)
Learn how the Children's Library in Palo Alto is utilizing a geoexchange heat pump to heat and cool the building more efficiently.
( see how it all works )
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City Council Agendas/Minutes
What was the City Council vote on Alma Plaza? What happened at the meeting the first week of June? It’s all here.
( view city council minutes and agendas )
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Green Business Community Involvement
Green Business information you can use, whether you are a resident, business owner, local industry or employee.
( visit the environment in palo alto home page )
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Building A Better Palo Alto - Free Guidelines to Help You Build Green Homes
Guidelines to help you build your new home "green" are now available at the Development Center and online.
( visit the development center home page )
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What's New in Recycling
Recent news in recycling.
( visit the recycling home page )
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Home Composting Workshops
The City of Palo Alto Zero Waste Program offers monthly compost workshops, taught by Master Composters.
( visit the recycling home page )
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Schedule Of Hazardous Waste Events
The Household Hazardous Waste events have been scheduled in 2009 for the Palo Alto Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program
( more about hazardous waste programs )
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Alternative Fuels
One way to keep air clean is through the use of alternative fuels.
( more about our green city )
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The Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) Pretreatment Program
The program issues permits to dischargers located in Palo Alto, the East Palo Alto Sanitary District service area, Los Altos, and the town of Los Altos Hills.
( visit the water quality home page )
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Landfill and Composting
The City of Palo Alto offers Landfill and Composting drop-off, which accepts materials that may not be accepted at the curb
( visit the landfill and composting page )
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Utilities Home Page
Welcome to the Utilities Department
( visit the utilities department home page )
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Sustainability Frequently Asked Questions
What does "sustainability" mean?
( more about our green city )
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Parks and Open Space Volunteer Opportunities
Community support through volunteerism and contributions provides help to enhance the enjoyment of our parks and to provide a greater range of programs, activities, and special events.
( visit the parks and open space home page )
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Recycling Programs for Schools
The Recycling Program works closely with the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) and parent or teacher volunteers to assist with and maintain recycling programs in all schools.
( visit the recycling home page )
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The Organics Yard
The focus of the Organics Yard is to enhance the recycling efforts of the community by offering high quality blended soil amendments.
( visit the recycling home page )
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Your Business - What Materials Are Recycled?
Information on recycling for businesses.
( visit the business recycling page )
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Vehicle Pollution Prevention
Residents and businesses need to do what they can to keep vehicle pollutants out of the environment.
( visit the environmental compliance home page )
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Downloadable Files
Palo Alto's Best Environmental Practices
Palo Alto's Best Environmental Practices (English Version)
Item Dated: 06/15/2009
Palo Alto's Best Environmental Practices (Chinese Translation)
Chinese translation of Palo Alto's best environmental practices
Item Dated: 06/11/2009
Palo Alto's Best Environmental Practices (Russian Translation)
Russian translation of Palo Alto's best environmental practices
Item Dated: 05/29/2009
Palo Alto Climate Protection Plan
Global warming is nearly universally recognized by scientists, and much of the public, as one of the most important threats facing human civilization, and political stability. This rise in temperatures has major implications for transboundary migration, economic prosperity, and the future of human development. Locally, the effects of climate change are likely to reduce the availability of hydro generated electricity, increase the incidence of forest fires, and lead to a rise in the level of San Francisco Bay that would impact Palo Alto’s shoreline.
Item Dated: 03/10/2008
Zero Waste Operational Plan, June 2007
September 17, 2007 Council-approved Zero Waste Operational Plan
Item Dated: 09/17/2007
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City of Palo Alto City Hall - 250 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301 | Main Telephone Number 650-329-2100 8am-5pm M-Th, Alt Fridays