Green Albany Youth Classes

GREEN NEWS

New City Trees Free to Adopt

Now is the time to apply for street tree planting Individual property owners can apply to have a street tree planted by the City in the public right-of-way adjacent to their property Additionally, as per action taken by the City Council, revenues from the recently approved Measure DD will now waive the costs for adopting a new street tree in the public right-of-way in front of your home (See Resolution No 2021-102)

What are the benefits of planting more trees in our urban forest? Albany strives to be a green City in many ways, including actively taking care of our urban forest In summer, trees promote energy savings through shading, and in fall and winter the urban canopy helps deflect wind and water run-off, limiting flooding Trees reduce noise pollution, create privacy, furnish homes for birds, supply fresh air, and offset the impacts of air pollution Trees also make our neighborhoods more beautiful and increase property values! Additionally, carbon sequestering in trees helps to lower the effects of global warming by lowering ambient air temperatures and reducing evaporation, resulting in a cooler, greener environment Visit www.albanyca.org/urbanforestry for more information

Creating a Carbon-Free Economy

Albany is committed to decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, creating a more sustainable community and local economy, and curbing global climate change To meet this goal, it is important to not only look at the emissions being released within Albany, but also at the embodied carbon of goods consumed by the Albany community Embodied carbon is all the emissions tied to production, transportation, use, and disposal of all goods

When thinking through the best way to dispose of an item you no longer need, make sure to consider reuse and repair, before recycling or disposing of the item This prevents another item from being created, and thus creating a larger carbon footprint

Not sure what to do with an item? Use the RE:Source Guide at StopWaste.org for nearby reuse, repair, recycling and safe disposal options

Recycle Right

In addition to reducing the material we send to the landfill, it is important to properly sort materials into the right waste streams

Think you know what goes where?

Test your skills with the Albany Residential Recycling Quiz available online at

AlbanyCA.org/Recycle.

Learn the what, where, why, and how of recycling, composting, and general waste reduction with our Recycling 101 Crash Course materials

Become a Green Business

The City of Albany has partnered with the Alameda County Green Business Program, and has a number of certified green businesses, including restaurants, auto repair shops, and service organizations Interested in shopping or becoming a green business? Visit greenbusinessca.org.

By becoming a certified Green Business, your business will join a network of over 4000 prominent and highly respected businesses across California, appear in the Green Business directory that will be seen by local consumers looking for your products and services, and receive free marketing and promotional support that will get you noticed!

Induction Cooktop Lending Program NEW

Are you considering switching to an induction cooktop, or just curious how it works? Borrow an induction cooktop for free from the City of Albany! Induction cooktops are safe, powerful, and environmentally-friendly Try it out for yourself with Albany’s free induction cooktop lending program! Contact mplouse@albanyca.org or call 1(510) 528-5754 for more information

Albany Public Works is proud to partner with Urban Tilth to maintain and restore the City’s beautiful natural areas! This includes multi-year maintenance and restoration of Albany Hill, Cerrito Creek, and Codornices Creek

Urban Tilth is a non-profit based in Richmond, which teaches community members about the relationships between natural ecosystems, food, health and justice, and has many educational programs This includes a Watershed Stewardship Program for young adults, where exceptional graduates go on to become members of Urban Tilth’s staff on the Watershed Stewardship Field Crew

Since April of this year, the Stewardship Field Crew has worked with City staff in all three of Albany’s natural areas to reduce fire hazards and help native plant communities by mowing grasslands, pruning along pathways and fire roads, weeding around native plantings, and removing invasive plants In addition, the team installed a job site box at Codornices Creek for storage of tools and supplies for Friends of Five Creeks volunteers

Future work will include trail repair and maintenance, thinning young oak trees, removing excess accumulations of bark and downed wood, and watering and planting of native plants

Albany Home Electrification Guide

In Albany, our electricity comes from carbon-free and renewable sources which are much cleaner than fossil fuels, including natural gas All-electric appliances, powered by clean energy, improve indoor air quality, make buildings more resilient, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions Learn more about electrification and clean energy and find resources to help you get started with Albany’s Home Electrification Guide available at

albanyca.org/electric.