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About Us Mission OUR MISSION To protect and enhance the environment of Los Altos & Los Altos Hills through community engagement, education, and advocacy while contributing to and leveraging regional and global environmental efforts. OUR VALUES Leaving the environment a better place for the next generation Policy and decision-making based on data and scientific research Inclusion and partnership, and conducting our activities in a fair, ethical (and, when appropriate, fun) manner Education, mentorship and the inclusion of youth as much as possible in our activities Honesty and respect when presenting fact-based research and educating our community OUR BELIEFS A clean and healthy environment is vital to the health of our communities. Human activities impact the natural environment and contribute to climate change and pollution that directly affects human health Individual, community and governmental actions can mitigate the negative environmental impacts of human activities We can arrest human caused climate change and environmental degradation by individual, community and legislative action GreenTown is a project of the Los Altos Mountain View Community Foundation’s Local Impact Collective Team OUR TEAM Suresh Venkatraman President, Board Suresh’s daughters’ engagement in environmental causes were a major influence to join GreenTown. Youth all over the world are asking us, the current stewards, to do everything we can to reverse our effect on the planet’s environments and climate. Actions by individuals, communities, and governments must all come together to accomplish this monumental but achievable task. Suresh is passionate that we become acutely conscious of our consumption – from energy to products, from how they are manufactured, packaged to how they are disposed of – and make decisions and take actions to minimize our footprint. Don Weiden Treasurer Don’s career as a civil/environmental engineer and his personal enjoyment in wilderness camping since grade school have led to his interest in minimizing the impacts of our engineered and human activities on the natural environment. He became interested in GreenTown Los Altos when investigating residential solar panels for his home and is now a proponent of converting vehicles and equipment from using fossil fuels to clean electrical energy. Gary Hedden Past President, Board Member Conservation Lead Gary joined GreenTown in 2011 and now leads the effort to protect our natural resources. That means planting trees, cleaning creeks and advocating for sound conservation policies. He still likes to bike, and leads the Historic Homes Bike Ride, the Native Garden Bike Tour, the Hardy Jones Memorial Bike Ride, and the Summer & Winter Solstice night bike rides. Glenda Chang Board Member Water Lead, Woodland Library Garden Lead Glenda is a long-time reef and ocean conservation advocate, and pursues the Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the Global Goals. Change for a healthier planet can start at home, by young and old alike. As such, she is eager to learn, collaborate, and engage together as a community. Her interests include SCUBA diving, technological innovation, disaster relief, island nations and their people, discovering the outdoors, photography, and being foodies with her family. One of her recent projects is providing clean water to an indigenous mountain tribe. Laura Teksler Board Member Clean Air, Electrification Laura first became involved with GreenTown as the Almond parent lead for the Walk or Wheel (WoW) program over a decade ago. She is a life-long environmentalist and lover of the outdoors who has dedicated her paid and volunteer careers to sustainability efforts. Recently through her work on the Los Altos Environmental Commission and Acterra she has become an advocate for home electrification. Madhuri Davidson Board Member Schools WoW!, Zero Waste Madhuri has been a volunteer in many of GreenTown's conservation projects. Recently, she has taken on a pivotal role, working alongside Jana to maintain, update, and clean up our membership database. Madhuri is a Living Classroom Docent at Springer Elementary where her two children are students. She is also working with GreenTown and the City to revive the WoW program and Safe Routes to School education program at Springer Elementary! Carl van Reis Board Member Marketing and Outreach Carl van Reis has joined the GreenTown Board after serving on the Los Altos Environmental Commission for the last four years. He has worked closely with us during that time on our annual Living Electric Fair, first as the commission's liaison and then as a steering committee member. He previously ran communications for the non-profit 350 Silicon Valley. Cary Anderson Eating Green Lead Cary enjoys an active lifestyle as a retired CPA and as CFO in private equity and commercial real estate industries. Cary currently volunteers for the YMCA basketball programs, the LAHS Mentor/Tutor program and, recently, a vegan farm / animal sanctuary. Cary enjoys learning how things work, being hands-on and has a strange attraction to performing manual labor ("brawn over brains"). As the Eating- Green lead, he aims to have fun challenging himself and encouraging others to better understand how our food choices impact all forms of life. Connie Miller Clean Air Lead Past Board Vice President As a Bay Area native and Los Altos resident who has spent her entire life enjoying the abundance of nature our region offers, Connie sees the urgent need to act boldly to create a sustainable and thriving environment for our children. All actions start with one person and grow into a collective wave of change. Connie believes Los Altos and Los Altos Hills are perfectly poised, with their educated residents, affluence and regional influence, to be the leaders of change and leave a lasting positive legacy for our planet. Through GreenTown Los Altos programs, education and policy influence, Connie hopes to be a resource for and inspire positive environmental change in others. Kim Jelfs Adopt-A-Highway Lead Past Board Member, Kim first became involved with GreenTown through our "Skip the Straw' campaign and hasn't looked back! She loved our hands-on, "can do" approach and immediately felt at home. A former H.R. Manager, she has volunteered in schools and local communities and is passionate about waste reduction, eliminating single-use plastics, and living sustainably. When not growing food in her garden, you can find Kim hiking local trails and traveling. Kris Jensen Consulting Director, Development Kris is our quintessential perfect match. The living embodiment of an advocate, starting at age 13 by penning a note to Pres. Reagan protesting removing the White House’s solar panels. He lives sustainably, is a certified permaculture designer, gardens, cooks and does woodwork when he’s not guiding our community efforts. Michele Gerstel Marketing Support Michele admits joining the GreenTown team was a no brainer. Why? Who wouldn’t want to be a part of a team of passionate, brilliant residents working to improve our community’s future? Marketing its programs are just plain fun. Not to mention rewarding. Enough to keep anyone smiling. Jana Schlanker Organization Support Jana is our organizational go to. Her smiling face makes it easy to make any request and know it will be readily handled. From managing our growing database, organizing volunteers and coordinating events, she has an eye for details that we enjoy having on board.

WHY EAT GREEN? Eating Green BACKGROUND When it comes to plant-based diets, what’s not to like? It’s good for our planet, good for our health and good for the animals! GreenTown Los Altos is here to support YOU and local restaurants in transitioning to more plant-based meals! Here’s why. Healthy Planet = Healthy People Healthy Bodies = Happy Bodies Happy Animals = Happy Planet Los Altos and Los Altos Hills residents want to eat more plants References RESOURCES Greenpeace Less is More Campaign Food Revolution Network One Meal a Day for the Planet Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine Veghead, etc. VegNews Email Us For inquiries about the "Eating Green" program contact us at: info@greentownlosaltos.org

Eating Green Why Eat Green? BACKGROUND When it comes to plant-based diets, what’s not to like? It’s good for our planet, good for our health and good for the animals! GreenTown Los Altos is here to support YOU and local restaurants in transitioning to more plant-based meals! Here’s why. Healthy Planet = Healthy People Healthy Bodies = Happy Bodies Happy Animals = Happy Planet Los Altos and Los Altos Hills residents want to eat more plants References Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies! RESOURCES Greenpeace Less is More Campaign Food Revolution Network One Meal a Day for the Planet Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine Veghead, etc. VegNews Email Us For inquiries about the "Eating Green" program contact us at: info@greentownlosaltos.org

EATING GREEN WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP OUR MISSION Reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and other negative environmental impacts of animal agriculture Educate residents about the benefits of plant-based foods Encourage residents’ transition to plant-based eating Support local restaurants in shift to more plant-based menu items THE PROBLEM Plant-based eating is good for the planet: Reduces greenhouse gas emissions, saves freshwater resources and results in more sustainable land-use Eating green is good for your health: Can prevent, delay and even reverse heart disease, control and reverse Type II diabetes Plant-based diets are compassionate: Spares animal suffering, reduces animal death and and enables animals to live out their full lives HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED Join the Eating Green team! If you are passionate about promoting Eating Green or would like to learn more about how we can help with the transition to a plant-based diet, please let us know! Email Us Why Eat Green? Learn the facts and benefits of transitioning to a plant-based diet. It is good for the environment, good for your health and compassionate towards animals. Learn More The Plant-Based Family A guide to feeding your family that’s good for them and good for the planet, too! Learn More

PROJECT NAME Program Party Packs Make Your Next Party ECO-FRIENDLY! Zero-waste parties are gaining in popularity. Why not borrow the items you need (to serve up to 40 guests) instead of buying single-use throwaways? Reusable Party Packs Available to Borrow from GreenTown Los Altos GreenTown Los Altos has put together two Party Packs (each serving 20 people) for loan to local residents who want their parties to be eco-friendly. Each Party Pack contains 20 reusable plates, bowls, flatware, and cups by Preserve brand (100% recycled plastic, BPA- and melamine-free, and dishwasher safe) plus 20 cotton easy-to-launder napkins. Borrow one or both Party Packs! Party Pack items will be clean and ready to use when you pick them up, and we just ask that you return them clean and ready for the next borrower. Help our community reduce single-use unrecyclable plastic that is littering our landscapes and polluting our oceans. For more information, please email us at partypack@greentownlosaltos.org or use the form in the link under resources (to the right) to request to borrow a Party Pack. RESOURCES OPTIONAL RESOURCE OPTIONAL RESOURCE OPTIONAL RESOURCE OPTIONAL RESOURCE OPTIONAL RESOURCE OPTIONAL RESOURCE OPTIONAL RESOURCE CONTACT US Woodland Library Garden NATURE IS CALLING! Where will the Living Electric Fair take place? Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies! NATIVE POLLINATOR GARDEN PROGRAM Can I ride by bike to the event? Recipe Will potable water be available? RESEARCH BACKGROUND Healthy Planet = Healthy People Healthy Bodies = Happy Bodies Happy Animals = Happy Planet Los Altos and Los Altos Hills residents want to eat more plants References Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies! BACKGROUND Healthy Planet = Healthy People Healthy Bodies = Happy Bodies Happy Animals = Happy Planet Los Altos and Los Altos Hills residents want to eat more plants References BACKGROUND THE PROBLEM HOW YOU CAN HELP Permeable Surfaces Handbook WEEK 4: KEY TAKEAWAYS WEEK 3: BROADEN YOUR IMPACT WEEK 2: EASY SWAPS TO REDUCE EVERY DAY PLASTIC USE WEEK 1: THE PLASTIC POLLUTION CRISIS WHAT IS PLASTIC FREE JULY? WHY GO PLASTIC FREE? BACKGROUND THE PROBLEM HOW YOU CAN HELP BACKGROUND THE PROBLEM HOW YOU CAN HELP BACKGROUND THE PROBLEM HOW YOU CAN HELP BACKGROUND THE PROBLEM HOW YOU CAN HELP Permeable Surfaces Handbook BACKGROUND GreenTown's 500Trees program reaches its Goal! THE PROBLEM CASE STUDY HOW YOU CAN HELP VISIT OUR PROJECTS BACKGROUND 2022-23 Tree Planting Campaign 2023 Summer Internship (Applications Open) BACKGROUND BENEFITS BICYCLE SAFETY EDUCATION STUDENT TRAVEL MODES WALKING SCHOOL BUS BICYCLE TRAIN The 2026 Summer internships have concluded! 1: Promoting Responsible Use of the Batteries That Power Our Lives 2: Understanding the food waste pyramid (2 interns) Make Your Next Party ECO-FRIENDLY! Reusable Party Packs Available to Borrow from GreenTown Los Altos Schools WoW Program Coordinator Volunteer Development Leader Bike/Walk Events Help Plant Trees! Researcher/Writer Marketing Events Outreach and Social Media & Blog Poster Photographer/Videographer BACKGROUND BENEFITS BICYCLE SAFETY EDUCATION STUDENT TRAVEL MODES WALKING SCHOOL BUS BICYCLE TRAIN BACKGROUND BENEFITS BICYCLE SAFETY EDUCATION STUDENT TRAVEL MODES WALKING SCHOOL BUS BICYCLE TRAIN BACKGROUND IMPORTANT FACTS APPLIANCES & BENEFITS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS IMPORTANT REBATES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR APPLIANCES BACKGROUND ENVIRONMENT HEALTH GARDEN LAW & ENFORCEMENT Check-In On The Food Waste Problem A New Community Space at Woodland Library My Accidental Dive Into Laundry‑to‑Landscape Graywater

Conservation Creek Cleanup BACKGROUND In 2011 GreenTown officially “adopted” the Permanente Diversion Channel through the Santa Clara Valley Water District (currently Valley Water). The channel runs from Heritage Oaks Park at Portland and Miramonte to Stevens Creek at Highway 85. Look for the sign at the corner of Portland and Miramonte declaring this a GreenTown “baby”. Our commitment? To organize and gather volunteers for biannual creek cleanup events in coordination with Valley Water. Ours is one of 50 sites countywide that participate in National River Cleanup Day, the third Saturday in May, and National Coastal Cleanup Day, the third Saturday in September. THE PROBLEM People are the main source of litter in our waterways. Litter from streets goes into our creeks and flows into San Francisco Bay and then into the ocean. 80% of the trash on beaches starts in inland areas. HOW YOU CAN HELP GreenTown encourages volunteers of all ages to help support a healthy environment in our local creek through these educational and fun-filled experiences. Activities include education about watersheds and water pollution, removing debris from the creek bed and the creek banks, and sorting and weighing all that was removed. GreenTown reports back to Valley Water and the results are spectacular! You can check out the countywide numbers at cleanacreek.org, where you also can register to volunteer for the next cleanup event. RESOURCES National River Cleanup Day Community Kids Cleaned the Creek National River Cleanup Day Recap Another Successful Creek Cleanup CONTACT US For inquiries about Creek Cleanup program contact us at: info@greentownlosaltos.org

Events UPCOMING 500 Trees - Library Talk Register Come learn about our 500 Tree campaign. Why are we doing this? How can you get a Tree? Presented by Gary Hedden 500 Trees - Library Talk Register Come learn about our 500 Tree campaign. Why are we doing this? How can you get a Tree? Presented by Gary Hedden CALENDAR

PLASTIC FREE JULY Zero Waste WEEK 4: KEY TAKEAWAYS This July, GTLA joined the global Plastic Free July movement and hosted its very first Plastic Free July Campaign. Thanks to everyone who participated! Dozens of members from the GTLA community pledged to learn more about plastic pollution, its health and environmental effects, and how to be part of the solution. Here are the key takeaways from the campaign. We hope these efforts will continue! WEEK 3: BROADEN YOUR IMPACT Week 3 tips and information on how to broaden your impact and take action against plastic pollution at the City, State, Federal, and Global Levels! Individual action is important, but legislation is even more so! Learn about local ordinances you should support, important state bills and federal acts, senators you should contact, and petitions to sign. WEEK 2: EASY SWAPS TO REDUCE EVERY DAY PLASTIC USE Week 2 tips and information on how to easily swap single-use plastics for sustainable and plastic-free packaging! Learn about different everyday items that could easily be swapped out for something more sustainable: pulp egg cartons instead of plastic ones, compostable bamboo brushes, bar shampoo, and more. WEEK 1: THE PLASTIC POLLUTION CRISIS Week 1 tips and information on how to be plastic free! See documentaries, books, videos, and podcasts on the plastic pollution crisis and learn how you can make meaningful changes at home. WHAT IS PLASTIC FREE JULY? Plastic Free July is a global movement that provides plastic alternative suggestions to those who wish to reduce plastic pollution. This summer, GreenTown Los Altos is developing a local Plastic Free July campaign so YOU can get more involved! Join us during the month of July and beyond to eliminate single-use plastics from your life and your community. Suggestions, resources, and challenges are coming soon! WHY GO PLASTIC FREE? It is easy to prioritize convenience over sustainability. But many do not realize the long-term effects single-use plastics have on the planet. From production to purchase to pollution, single-use plastics serve one short-lived purpose, but remain as litter for millions of years. Instead of decomposing, they break into pieces called microplastics, which make their way into water, soil, wild organisms, and even our bodies. Our planet cannot afford more plastic pollution. About 17.6 billion pounds of plastic enter the ocean each year - that's equivalent to one full garbage truck emptying trash into the ocean every minute of every day ( The Story of Plastic ). Fortunately, there are many easy ways to reduce your plastic consumption, such as using durable, reusable grocery bags rather than plastic ones when you shop. With our current plastic crisis and a multitude of plastic swap-outs, why wouldn't you go plastic free? TAKE OUR PLEDGE! Pledge! Thanks for submitting! Follow Us for Updates! RESOURCES Plastic Free July Website Registered for GreenTown’s Plastic Free July Challenge? Consider joining the global Plastic Free July Challenge too! Plastic Free July Flyer Watch The Story of Plastic Limited time? Here's a short version of The Story of Plastic . SUSTAINABLE SHOPPING LOCAL Present On Main St. in Los Altos, this is a gift basket and gift box shop that creates custom natural food and personal item gifts, and offers eco-friendly wrapping as well. It's owned by Jim Daley and Jim Reynolds who are happy to help curate your selections. They can ship your gifts from the store as well. FillGood Shop at the store in Berkeley, or pickup at delivery sites, or have items shipped to your house. Use your own containers in the store, or use their containers that get returned and reused! Home, bath, personal care products, plus office supplies, pet products, kids’ stuff, travel stuff and more. The Ecology Center’s Eco Store The store is open! Plan a visit to this eco-marketplace (COVID guidelines permitting). Great gift ideas, books, toxic-free toys and children’s products, environmentally and socially responsible products, cookbooks, gardening guides, and recycled paper products. The ecology center operates 3 farmer’s markets, and their website has tons of educational material on zero waste and sustainable living. The Berkeley Bowl Two large full-size grocery stores with bakery, deli, bulk foods sections, etc. Lots of reusable items for sale; also with personal care products section and cleaning section offering organic and eco-friendly products. 2 locations in Berkeley. The Source Zero San Jose’s first zero-waste shop and soap refill store. Shop for holiday gift packages, bath and kitchen products, home goods, and cleaning supplies, all with refillable containers or zero-waste packaging. Ethos Walk-in store in Santa Cruz for low-waste living that also ships items purchased online and has an in-store drop-off TerraCycle recycling box. They also deliver locally by bike. Find products for home, kitchen, pets, personal care, garden, laundry and more. They have a “Made in Santa Cruz” section too. Staff of Life What started as a small natural foods bakery, Staff of Life has grown to become a large natural foods supermarket and a Santa Cruz landmark. The store hosts a bakery, butcher and seafood section, deli, and a GIANT bulk foods section. They even have a garden and gift section. And . . . Staff of Life is the ONLY City of Santa Cruz Green Building certified market in Santa Cruz! Bring your own containers to refill! Think laundry powder, dish soap, shampoo/conditioner, etc. GTLA Board Member Kim Jelfs loves this store and makes monthly trips to shop and refill. ONLINE No Trace No Trace offers online shopping for bags and wraps (personal, shopping, lunch, tote, food storage, etc.) handmade in Santa Cruz. They also offer online DIY courses and kits and zero waste sewing patterns. Planet Renu Eco-friendly products include: home and kitchen items, clothing and jewelry, pet care, shopping, and more. “Starter kits” available. EcoRoots This small business was founded in Aspen, Colorado, to inform people about the real and negative impacts single-use plastic has on our health and the planet. EcoRoots offers high quality and affordable products that help you reduce waste. Be sure to check out their Zero Waste Blog for terrific suggestions for gifts and for reducing waste during the holidays. Life Without Plastic Offers plastic-free essentials as well as informative and educational news articles (at bottom of web pages). Has seasonal boxes (“samplers”) you can subscribe to, or give as gifts. And of course, there’s the book, “Life Without Plastic” which serves as a go-to reference not only for those just getting started but for those looking to expand their impact with sustainable living. EXCELLENT place to begin plastic-free shopping! Gift certificates make great gifts. Made Trade Online retailer that sells carefully selected eco-friendly and ethically sourced products made in the US or in fair-trade businesses around the world. They offer elegant and simple home goods, furniture, gifts, clothing and accessories—all sustainably made and ethically sourced. Made Trade values artistry over efficiency, and fair wages over profits. Package Free This is the retail space for Trash is for Tossers, filled with excellent suggestions for your zero waste shopping and gift-giving. Earth Hero Compiles a wide variety of eco-friendly, sustainable household, office, and kitchen items, plus toys and clothes from a variety of merchants. Great site to browse and get ideas! Eartheasy This family-owned and operated business is based in the US and Canada. Its mission is to help people improve their quality of life by offering information and products for sustainable living. Much of their focus is on education as well as products—be sure to see their LEARN pages, full of “how-to” articles (e.g., The Easiest Way to Start Composting Now; Plastic-Free Grocery Shopping Made Easy; Non-Toxic Cleaning and Disinfecting…) They sell great products for home, garden, camping and they have incredible gift ideas! Trash is for Tossers Comprehensive resource for learning how to reduce your waste, live plastic-free, AND reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals in store-bought products by making your own or by shopping at recommended sites. This is a great place to get DIY ideas for making your own cooking and self-care products from natural ingredients, which also make great homemade gifts! Has terrific ideas for holiday gifts and greener gift wrapping. If you’re not a DIYer and want to purchase items, see the Trash is for Tossers Package Free shopping site. Made Safe A program of Nontoxic Certified, Made Safe provides products that are ecosystem and human health safe. Their website provides links to products (clothes, baby and personal care, household, etc.) that are certified free of known toxins. Their website also provides educational material for consumers and businesses trying to be more toxic-free. SOCIAL MEDIA

Home: Welcome Meet the 2026 Summer Interns! Working on understanding the "Food waste pyramid" and "Battery recycling" Learn More Make your next part Eco-Friendly! Borrow a reusable party-pack More Info UPCOMING EVENTS Thu, Sep 24 Los Altos City Council Candidates Forum / Details & RSVP Sep 24, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Los Altos Community Center, 97 Hillview Ave, Los Altos, CA 94022, USA Come hear from candidates on the ballot for Los Altos City Council for Districts 2 and 4 Share LATEST NEWS & ARTICLES Latest Newsletter Subscribe Check-In On The Food Waste Problem Amanda Wang and Manya Sikka A New Community Space at Woodland Library Glenda Chang My Accidental Dive Into Laundry‑to‑Landscape Graywater Glenda Chang Introducing Our 2026 Summer Interns! suresh56 Bike Month Brings the Community Together on Two Wheels! Margie Suozzo GreenTown Los Altos’ LASD WoW! Survey Analysis - Fall 2025 Margie Suozzo Follow us on Instagram @greentownlosaltos Load more CONNECT WITH US Subscribe to our Newsletter SEARCH THE SITE

REUSABLE PARTY PACKS Zero Waste Make Your Next Party ECO-FRIENDLY! Zero-waste parties are gaining in popularity. Why not borrow the items you need (to serve up to 40 guests) instead of buying single-use throwaways? Reusable Party Packs Available to Borrow from GreenTown Los Altos GreenTown Los Altos has put together two Party Packs (each serving 20 people) for loan to local residents who want their parties to be eco-friendly. Each Party Pack contains 20 reusable plates, bowls, flatware, and cups by Preserve brand (100% recycled plastic, BPA- and melamine-free, and dishwasher safe) plus 20 cotton easy-to-launder napkins. Borrow one or both Party Packs! Party Pack items will be clean and ready to use when you pick them up, and we just ask that you return them clean and ready for the next borrower. Help our community reduce single-use unrecyclable plastic that is littering our landscapes and polluting our oceans. For more information, please email us at partypack@greentownlosaltos.org or use the form in the link under resources (to the right) to request to borrow a Party Pack. Available to Borrow! Please fill out the form to request to borrow a Party Pack REQUEST FORM or Email partypack@greentownlosaltos.org CONTACT US Email Us For inquiries about other Zero Waste projects, please contact us at: waste@greentownlosaltos.org

Delicious Vegan Cookie Eating Green Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies! Please enjoy these vegan chocolate chip cookies! The recipe was developed by GreenTown's 2023 summer interns. They also developed many other recipes and have compiled a cookbook to get you stared on your "Eating Green" journey. Look for the cookbook soon... Many thanks to local baker Daphne Ross for baking and donating these delectable treats for our Annual Fundraiser. You can learn more about Daphne here: www.snack-dragon.com Recipe RESOURCES 2023 Summer Interns For inquiries about the "Eating Green" program or to share yoiur thoughts and recipes, contact us at: info@greentownlosaltos.org

ZERO WASTE WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP OUR MISSION Inspire our community to learn more about the health and environmental impacts of unsustainable practices such as using plastic for items that can be made from more earth-friendly materials such glass, metal, wood and natural fibers Provide practical solutions for reducing waste to our residents, schools, and businesses Facilitate proper recycling when no other option is available to reuse items Educate families on the health and environmental effects from chemically-derived materials in packaging, furniture, clothing, toys, etc. and suggest ways to minimize such harms Share resources so we all can become better stewards of local natural resources Advocate for local and state policies and legislation that help us meet our goal of moving toward zero waste living THE PROBLEM About two thirds of all the plastic ever produced has been released into the environment and remains there as: ocean debris, micro- or nanoparticles in air and agricultural soils, microfibers in water supplies, or microparticles in human bodies There are affordable, reasonable changes we can make as individuals, families, and as a community that will improve our environment and reduce our health risks from the chemicals we are exposed to from plastic The majority of plastic waste (and essentially all single-use plastic) cannot be recycled, despite the “chasing arrows” imprint on the bottom In 2020, California became the first US state to enact a recycled content requirement for plastic beverage container! The first benchmark is to reach 15% recycled content by 2022, on the way to a 50% requirement by 2030 HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED Take Action with the 7 Rs! Zero Waste Brochure Reducing and reusing can reduce greenhouse gasses. Together, our individual steps in waste reduction make a big difference Download Brochure A Zero Waste Story How are WE ever going to DO THIS? by Anne Marie Bonneau Learn More Join the Zero Waste team! If you are passionate about eliminating single use plastics, reducing packaging or reducing waste in the community please join us! Email Us Borrow a Party Pack! Your next party can be ECO-FRIENDLY Zero-waste parties are gaining in popularity. Why not borrow the items you need (to serve up to 40) instead of buying single-use throwaways? Learn More Ocean Plastics: What Goes Around Comes Around; Now In A Better Way Learn More Plastic Free July Go plastic-free this month! Join Us during the month of July and beyond to eliminate single-use plastics from your life and your community. Learn More The Story of Plastic A Story of Injustice. Plastic pollution is truly an environmental injustice impacting all of us—some more than others... Learn More