Trash Reduction

The City installs "full trash capture devices" in storm drains to prevent trash and debris from entering our waterways during rain events. These devices, located in storm drain catch basins or underground as part of the storm drain system, catch trash before it flows into creeks or the Bay.

The City has three large full trash capture devices, known as hydrodynamic separators (HDS), installed underground and connected directly to the storm drain pipes. They help capture trash, sediment, and some pollutants. While HDS units are more expensive to install, they can capture more material and need less maintenance than smaller devices. 

A large trash capture device on Embarcadero Road in front of the Baylands Golf Links.

The City has one small full trash capture device installed in a storm drain catch basin along the street to prevent trash and debris from being washed into the storm drain system. 

A connector pipe screen (CPS), a type of small device, installed in a catch basin.

City personnel help keep our community clean by removing litter and trash from streets, sidewalks, paved walkways, and natural pathways. Other services include street sweeping, storm drain inlet cleaning, trash container management, litter pick-up, and illegal dumping response. 

Public Works staff perform routine maintenance on a storm drain inlet.

GSI collects, slows, and cleans stormwater runoff (and captures trash!) using natural processes such as infiltration, evapotranspiration, and biotreatment. Infiltration focuses on absorbing water into the ground; evapotranspiration reduces water through evaporation and plant uptake, while biotreatment cleans water through natural filtration and biological processes. GSI measures are required for many private development projects and are integrated into City project designs when feasible. 

Green stormwater infrastructure (bioretention area) in the Southgate neighborhood.

The City has established several ordinances to reduce trash, including the Disposable Foodware Items and Other Disposable Products Ordinance,  the Single-use Checkout Bag Ordinance, and Smoking Ordinances. These ordinances address the best ways to reduce problem items, such as single-use plastics and cigarette butts, in our community. 

Two trash booms are deployed on Adobe and Matadero Creeks at downstream locations to prevent floating trash from entering the Palo Alto Baylands. City staff regularly inspect and remove trash and debris from the trash booms. Since installation, thousands of pounds of trash and debris have been removed. 

The City offers two opportunities each year for residents to volunteer at Creek Cleanup events at Adobe and Matadero Creeks. During these cleanups, trash and debris are collected and sorted. It is then characterized, counted, and weighed to inform the prioritization of trash reduction programs. To volunteer for these and other countywide cleanup events, visit cleanacreek.org.