04/17/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/17/2024 14:54
Monday, April 22 is the 54th anniversary of Earth Day, a day to reflect on the need to protect our natural environment.
To celebrate Earth Day - and to demonstrate our commitment to a cleaner, greener Sacramento County - we are exhibiting at the largest Earth Day Event in the Sacramento Region, the Environmental Council of Sacramento's (ECOS) Sacramento Earth Day festival!
When: Sunday, April 21, from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: Southside Park (700 T St, Sacramento, CA)
Who: The following County offices/departments will have tables at this event:
Can't make it to the Earth Day event? Check out the newest episode of County Conversations: SacCounty Podcast, featuring Sustainability Manager, John Lundgren, where we discuss the community-wide sustainability measures the County has implemented, the challenges the County has faced in its efforts to become more environmentally friendly, and what listeners can do to support a greener environment.
In addition to the SacCounty Podcast, you can also read about some of the ways Sacramento County is investing in our planet below:
Airports
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is committed to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. In 2017, SMF launched a solar facility that provides approximately 38% of the airport's energy and when constructed, was the largest on-airport solar facility in California. The facility generates nearly 15,500,000 kilowatt-hours per year, equivalent to the carbon reduction of removing nearly 2,500 cars from the road, not consuming 26,707 barrels of oil, or not burning 12,620,748 pounds of coal.
In addition to the solar farm, SMF has implemented several other sustainability initiatives. The airport's energy-efficient LED lights and low-flow toilets save significant amounts of energy and water, respectively. SMF's grass is also mowed at 4 inches instead of the standard 2-3 inches, making water usage more efficient.
So, next time you travel to SMF, know that you're doing your part to protect the environment by flying green and using the airport's sustainable amenities.
Community Development
The Planning and Environmental Review (PER) Division of the Department of Community Development has been focused on climate change since 2011 when they began work on the first phase of the County's Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAP is the County's plan to reduce its contribution to climate change while addressing the impact climate change has already had on the area. To learn more about the CAP, visit the County's Climate Action Plan webpage.
General Services
Environmental Management Department (EMD)
Redistribution of Edible Food - Edible food recovery is a process by which edible food that would otherwise be discarded is redistributed to feed people in need. This is the highest and best use for food that would otherwise go to waste. As of 2022, CalRecycle regulations require certain business sectors to divert food from landfills and donate to food recovery organizations. EMD's Environmental Health Division performs food safety inspections at retail food businesses to protect health, prevent disease and promote health for all persons in Sacramento County.
Single-Use Utensil Education - Most households have a drawer brimming with unused plastic utensils, plastic straws, and condiments. Often, restaurants automatically add these items to takeout and delivery food orders, even though the items may be unwanted. These items eventually make their way into waterways, harming fish and wildlife, or to landfills where they may never decompose. In January 2022, Governor Newsom signed legislation that single-use food utensils items are given to consumers only upon request. EMD provides information and outreach to restaurants to keep them informed of the law and its requirements.
Sustainability
This past year, the Sacramento County Sustainability Manager, John Lundgren, has been working to keep residents and other stakeholders informed on how the County is doing on its 90 greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction and climate change adaption measures. Check out the new "Sustainability Dashboard," which lists these measures and provides details, in a transparent and digestible fashion, whether the efforts for the measure have begun and some goals have been achieved; whether efforts for the measure have started; or if efforts for the measure have not started.
John has also been busy filling Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force member seats. The Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force is an advisory body with the overall mission of providing input, guidance, oversight, and assistance to the Board of Supervisors and Sustainability Manager in achieving the County's carbon neutrality goal and in preparing a Climate Emergency Response Plan.
The Sustainability office has also put together and released the 2021 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory. The Inventory shows that Sacramento County has reduced GHG emissions in its governmental operations by 32 percent compared to 2015 levels.
Waste Management and Recycling
The Department of Waste Management and Recycling (DWMR) works to be good stewards of our natural resources and environment on Earth Day and every day. By sorting smart, recycling right and keeping organics (food scraps, food-soiled paper and yard trimmings) out of landfills, you can be a good steward of the environment, too.
Based on a 2021 study, it's estimated that 40% of all waste that made its way to California landfills was food waste, yard trimmings and paper/cardboard. In compliance with California law, the organic material accepted in your curbside Organics cart that includes food scraps, food-soiled paper and yard trimmings is turned into beneficial compost and mulch. This change reduces methane production, a potent greenhouse gas, and extends landfill capacity. Composting is nature's way of recycling food scraps, food-soiled paper and yard trimmings, which transforms a previous waste stream into a nutrient-rich soil amendment.
The simple act of keeping organics out of our landfills helps protect our environment, reduces garbage, puts carbon back into the soil where it builds healthy soil, and addresses a changing climate. Check out DWMR's Curbside Organics Collection webpage to learn more, and if you would like to try composting at home, visit the Backyard Composting webpage.
Also, for ideas on other ways you can be a good steward of our environment, visit the Resources, Learn at Home webpage. Additionally, download the free SacGreenTeam mobile app and use the "How Do I Get Rid Of…" tool to help you sort smart and recycle right. Let's all do our part for environmental stewardship and our community.
Here are a few examples of our SacGreenTeam employees who work hard to uphold stewardship of our environment:
Water Resources
The Stormwater Quality Division has a host of green programs and information on their website, including those related to reducing the use of pesticides; grants for community groups and school projects that protect, restore or enhance our creeks and rivers; and river-friendly carwash practices.
The Sacramento County Water Agency (SCWA) has rebate programs to help people save water, including the cash for grass and high-efficiency clothes washer and high-efficiency toilet rebate programs. To learn more, visit the SCWA website.
Voter Registration and Elections
The Department has made a conscious effort to Go Green by reducing paper consumption in the following ways: