City of Martinez, CA
United States Mayor: Rob Schroder-
Population 37165
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Area 34.02km 2
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GDP 2.1 BillionUSD
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Targets by N/A N/Aemission
The City came up with an idea for a free public workshop in fall of 2011 that would have broad application in peoples' everyday lives and potentially appeal to a large number of citizens. We had been sponsoring compost classes through our compost instructor, Todd Sutton (aka the “Waste Sleuth”), for a number of years, and wanted to expand on that teaching to reach a wider audience. Todd is a tremendous public speaker with years of experience in sustainable practices, including waste reduction. Composting is a great form of sustainability and conservation, but it is somewhat of a niche market. We asked Todd to develop a course that would appeal to people interested in environmental issues and educate them on a variety of ways that they could easily apply sustainable practices in their everyday lives. As it turns out, many of these practices can also save people money, so it provides tangible benefits on a variety of fronts. We rolled out our first class in June 2012, our second in September 2012, and just completed our third class in November 2012. We hope to provide 3-4 of these classes each year.
Read More Read Less- Other Emissions
The City worked in conjunction with the California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery (“CalRecycle”) and Allied Waste Services (AWS) to successfully implement a Mandatory Commercial Recycling Program in Martinez as required by AB341. Key elements of the program’s implementation include:
Amended franchise agreements with AWS to grant exclusive rights to recycling and implement simplified one-rate system for solid waste and recycling charges; created “Mandatory Commercial Recycling Strategies” as new Exhibit F to Recycling franchise agreement; co-hosted public workshops with AWS and created City Channel “infomercial” to educate business community and provide resources for effective implementation; committed to spend approximately $6,000 in grant funding to purchase indoor recycling bags for multi-family residents and approximately $2,000 in grant funding for indoor recycling containers for commercial customers on as-needed basis.
- Waste
The City applied for and received a $150,800 Federal grant in 2009 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), for the purpose of installing energy efficient LED lighting in the downtown area. The project entailed replacing 114 of the 150-watt High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights in the decorative streetlights along Main, Castro, Estudillo, Escobar, Ferry, and Las Juntas with 75-watt LED’s. The City’s Public Works crews completed the LED installations in August 2011 and took the initiative to repaint the decorative streetlights in September 2011. The grant funds paid for all of the LED’s and a significant amount of the City labor on the installations. Additionally, the City secured unused ARRA funding from the City of Concord and redirected it to the Marina Vista Streetscape project. This additional funding enabled the City to upgrade its plans and install 66 of the 60-watt LED’s instead of the 100-watt Metal Halide lights originally scheduled for the project, at a cost of approximately $100,000. The LED’s will provide significant benefits in greenhouse gas reductions and ongoing utility and maintenance costs, in addition to providing high quality, mercury-free lighting for our downtown.
Read More Read Less- Other Emissions
The City of Martinez completed upgrade to dual port station at Amtrak in July 2015 to enable simultaneous charging of two users. EV users now have 4 options for Level 2 fast charge in downtown Martinez: City Hall (single port), corner of Main/Court street (single port), and Amtrak (dual port).
Read More Read Less- Transport
As part of the Mandatory Commercial Recycling program implementation, the City met with local schools (that fall under the Commecial sector) to inquire as to the schools' recycling infrastruture needs. The schools indicated a need for more beverage container recycling infrastructure, as well as education. The City hired a Sustainability Intern and coordinated with local hauler Allied Waste and Martinez Unified School District and Hidden Valley schools to assess recycling infrastructure and education needs at each school site. Following the assessments, the City ordered a total of 16 “Big Bottle,” 16 “Huskee 32 gallon,” and 11 “Venue Receptacles,” and 6 months of clear plastic bags, at cost of approximately $10,000. The City also committed to provide one assembly-level educational presentation per site at an estimated cost of $4,000 to cover all sites. We have provided the educational component to 2 sites thus far.
Read More Read Less- Commercial
The City of Martinez utilized a grant from 511 Contra Costa to procure and install three electric vehicle charging stations in the downtown area in April 2010. The stations were upgraded in May 2011 to allow full online functionality so potential users could view the stations' availability and make reservations, and administrators could pull reports to see usage statistics. The stations are proving popular with the community as last fiscal year (July 2011 to June 2012) had a total of 544 sessions.
Read More Read Less- Transport
For the fourth consecutive year, the City hosted a booth with information on the City’s sustainability programs and efforts during the April 2012 Earth Day celebration on the grounds of the John Muir Historic Site. The City had over 300 visitors to its booth and distributed over 250 promotional items at the event. We estimate that over 1,200 visitors have frequented the City's booth in the four years we have participated in the local Earth Day event.
Read More Read Less- Other Emissions
The City of Martinez is working to implement an education and outreach program that would improve recycling (especially beverage container CRV) and waste diversion habits throughout Martinez Unified School District, the downtown, and parks. The outreach program will form lasting habits and document waste diversion progress, as well as standardize a uniform recycling system for students across the school system. Beverage container recycling infrastructure will be added to Martinez's downtown area and parks system, coinciding with a new CRV collection system created by the City. The overall project goal is to drastically reduce the amount of waste entering landfills by creating a uniform recycling system and ensuring the public can and will use it correctly.
Read More Read Less- Waste
Martinez will join more than 90 other California cities this January by banning single use plastic bags in restaurants and retail establishments. The City has conducted outreach at public events to prepare residents for the change and distribute reusable shopping bags to Martinez families.
Read More Read Less- Industrial processes and product use (IPPU)
- Waste
Martinez City Hall, including the Police Department, has received certification as a Green Business from the County’s Green Business Program. This recognition was achieved after thorough audits of City Hall’s operations were conducted by representatives from the Green Business Program for Pollution Prevention; Allied Waste Services for Waste and Recycling practices; PG&E for Energy Efficiency measures; and Contra Costa Water District for Water Conservation measures. We are very proud of this recognition and hope that our efforts to “green” City Hall will set a good example for the rest of the community.
Read More Read Less- Facilities
The City of Martinez introduced the Organics Recycling Program to Council in April 2015 with unanimous support. A public hearing will be held in November 2015 to adopt findings and recommendations. Proposed residential commencement begins January 1, 2016 and proposed commercial/industrial commencement begins April 1, 2016. The City’s Program diverts food scraps and other organic materials from landfills, helping to reduce landfill-associated greenhouse gas emissions.
Read More Read Less- Residential
- Commercial
- Waste
- Other Emissions
Martinez worked with Rising Sun Energy Center to provide free “green house calls” for Martinez homes through the California Youth Energy Services program. This no-cost service brings two local energy specialists to the homes of residents where they perform energy and water conservation assessments. During visits, specialists identify problem areas, install environmentally friendly fixtures, and find solutions that conserve resources, all of which save residents money.
Read More Read Less- Residential
“Water Conservation 102: Greywater and Rain Barrels” was a special free workshop hosted by the City of Martinez to educate residents about progressive drought mitigation practices. This class was designed to teach residents how they can safely reuse wash water, or “greywater,” as an effective source of irrigation, and how to conserve rainwater with rain barrels. The workshop included the basics of how to set up various greywater and rain barrel systems at home.
Read More Read LessIn an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, alleviate traffic congestion, and encourage sustainable transportation practices in the community, the City of Martinez applied for and secured funding for 30 new bicycle racks along a main traffic corridor and at busy downtown locations. Providing infrastructure that encourages driving alternatives is one approach the City is taking to meet Climate Action Plan goals. Funding comes from the Bicycle Rack Voucher Project grant offered by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
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The City enrolled in the 2015-2016 CoolCalifornia Challenge as one of only 22 cities statewide and 4 in Contra Costa County in the competition to determine “California’s Coolest City.” Residents register at www.CAChallenge.org to track and reduce household energy use and vehicle miles traveled to earn points for Martinez.
Read More Read LessIn response to California’s severe drought, the City of Martinez hosted “Water Conservation 101,” a special free workshop to educate residents about the importance of water conservation. Residents learned simple and effective ways to easily reduce water consumption and save money on utility bills. The workshop was performed for residents and recorded for re-broadcast on community television.
Read More Read Less“Water Conservation Essentials: Every Drop Counts” was a special free workshop hosted by the City of Martinez to educate residents about progressive drought mitigation practices and the mandatory restrictions. This class was designed to teach residents easy indoor and outdoor water-saving actions, the basics of greywater systems, and how to conserve rainwater with rain barrels. The workshop will be available for viewing on the City Channel
Read More Read LessMayor Rob SchroderCity of Martinez, CA, United States
Initiative
