Sustainable landscaping and irrigation practices save water.
The Office of Sustainability & the Environment implements and oversees various programs that reduce the City’s environmental footprint and educate its citizens. These efforts include:
- Food Waste Composting Program - Freen service that collects fats, oil and grease from local restaurants for conversion to biofuel. The program has kept more than 1 million pounds of waste out of the landfill in 2007. Santa Monica is partnering with GeoGreen Biofuels and has established Cooking Oil and Grease Recycling stations.
- Sustainable Works Community & Business Greening Program - Integrates sustainable practices for urban homes, schools and workplaces. Learn more about the Business Greening Program.
- Organic School Salad Bar Program – Provides locally grown, organic produce on a daily basis to the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District.
- Hazardous Waste and Toxics Use Reduction Programs – These programs manage hazardous materials and promote use of alternative products. The Office of Sustainability and the Environment also manages the Small Business and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Center.
- Sustainable Landscape Grant Program - Since 2005, the grant program has awarded $350,000 to home-owners, apartment-owners, businesses and schools to establish sustainable landscapes that save water and reduce air pollution, water pollution, and solid waste through advanced irrigation systems and drought resistant plants.
- Green Business Certification and Sustainable Quality Awards - These awards seek to inspire and recognize excellence in implementing and managing sustainable business practices.
- Bike Valet Program - Parks over 20,000 bikes for free at city events each year to encourage bike commuting to major community events.
