Cool Los Altos

Accomplishments

Community Events:

  • Increased recycling collection and instituted compost collection in partnership with Rotary Club and Los Altos Garbage Company, and diverted 80% of the waste from the landfill at the May 2009 Fine Art in the Park event.
  • Partnered with the City of Los Altos and the Los Altos Garbage Company to divert 75% of the waste at the September2008 Community Picnic.

Community Support:

  • Over 900 residents and 35 businesses and organizations support GreenTown Los Altos.

Collaboration with the City of Los Altos:

  • Encouraged the City to sign the US Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement in January 2008.
  • Recommended that the City complete a baseline inventory of greenhouse gas emissions (currently underway).
  • Saved the City more than $200,000 in consulting fees by providing in-depth research and analysis for the new waste contract.
  • Educated the Environmental Commission and the City Council about waste collection issues, such as the importance of food waste and compostables collection. Subsequently, Council approved all of our solid waste contract recommendations - including a goal for 75% diversion by 2013 - and made them a part of the City’s waste contract RFP.

Education:

  • Planned and held community educational forums, two of which focused on water use and waste reduction. 90% of attendees committed to reducing their water use and to eliminate waste. Another forum discussed smart growth and land use issues.
  • Created public awareness through local news coverage and monthly “green living” columns in the Los Altos Town Crier.
  • Organized a green education speaker series focused on climate change and solutions.