Environmental and Health Initiatives

The City of Richmond Environmental Initiatives team promotes systems and policy changes that support the development of healthy and sustainable neighborhoods. The Division collaborates with the community and other city departments to implement actions identified in the Climate Action Plan, Health in All Policies Strategy Document, and the Energy and Climate Change Element and Community Health and Wellness Element of the Richmond General Plan 2030. The team aims to build the City and community's capacity to improve and promote sustainability and health equity. 


City of Richmond, CA Environmental and Health Initiatives
8th and Harbour Bioswale Richmond Greenway 9.29.17
btwd 2023 logo

Celebrate National Bike Month in Richmond & the East Bay

Spring is the time to not only get riding again, but also to encourage people close to you to bike. There is no wrong way to celebrate Bike Month in Richmond and the greater East Bay.  

Biking has many benefits including: 

  1. Saving money on gas, parking, and transit 
  2. Bypassing congested traffic or transit schedules 
  3. Reveling in the convenience of the door to door commute and hassle free parking 
  4. Getting 40 minutes of exercise (the average commute) directly improves physical and mental health
Bike to Work Day 2023

Thursday, May 18st is Bike to Work Day (BTWD) 2023 and it is the Bay Area’s biggest day for bicycling. A map of all the BTWD bag locations can be found on Bike East Bay’s website, https://bikeeastbay.org/find-your-energizer-station-bike-work-day-2023

Richmond Energizer Stations: 

  • Richmond BART Station
  • Macdonald Ave and Key Blvd (near Grocery Outlet)
  • Unity Park (1605 Ohio Ave)
  • Marina Park (between the parking lot and the Bay Trail)
  • Richmond Ferry Terminal 

511 Contra Costa- Guaranteed Ride Home

Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) has bike riders covered. The FREE program will reimburse for a ride home during unexpected emergencies like a personal illness, sick child, or missing your carpool up to six GRH trips per year. Register now, and you’ll be ready to go if an emergency strikes. Please visit the program’s website for details and eligibility requirements, https://511contracosta.org/guaranteed-ride-home/


Biking Resources

Richmond and the East Bay have the biking resources you are looking for. Checkout the options below. 

  • Richmond Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (RBPAC)- Passionate about a bikeable and walkable Richmond? Want to be apart of next year's Bike to Work Day? Join RBPAC! Visit their new website at https://www.rbpac.org/.

  • Rich City Rides Bike Shop- The bike shop is located in the heart of Richmond and a resource for all residents. Purchase a bike, get your bike fixed, or register for their Self-Care Sunday rides on 

  • The Pedaler Bike Shop- El Sobrante’s family run, friendly local bike shop for over 40 years. 

  • Bike East Bay- They have a plethora of resources for families, new riders, or riders that need a refresher. Checkout their resources for Free Classes/webinars, Tips for New Riders, and biking activities for families. 

  • E-Bike Rebate- Buy a new e-bike and apply for a cash rebate of $150-$300 through 511 Contra Costa. 

Upcoming Community Workshops: Green-Blue New Deal Workforce Development Draft Plan 5/20 & 5/24

RGBND May 2023 Workshop Flyer (ENG)

The City Manager’s Office, Economic Development, Environmental & Health Initiatives Division invites anybody who lives or works in Richmond to attend the Richmond Green-Blue New Deal Community Workshops on Saturday, May 20 at 10:00AM and Wednesday, May 24 at 6:00PM to provide input and direction on the development of a community-driven Workforce Development Plan. The goal of this project is to catalyze at least 1,000 new green-blue jobs for Richmond residents that build a just, equitable, resilient and sustainable future. Both in-person and virtual options are available.

Workshop #1 Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 10:00am to 12:00pm, PST, the City will host an in-person community engagement workshop at the Richmond Recreation Complex (3230 Macdonald Ave) to solicit input on the development of the draft Green-Blue New Deal Workforce Development Plan. Please come by to receive a presentation from the project team and participate in the community input session that follows. 

Workshop #2 Wednesday, May 24, 2023 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm PST, the City will host a virtual community engagement workshop via Zoom to solicit input on the development of the draft Green-Blue New Deal Workforce Development Plan. Please join the webinar to receive a presentation from the project team and participate in the community input session that follows. 

Please click on this link to join the 5/24 webinar: https://tinyurl.com/RichmondGreenBlueNewDeal

Your input is highly valued!


I Heart Richmond

I Heart Richmond is a City-wide beautification and clean-up initiative led through a collaboration of several City departments and community-based organizations. 

To learn more about upcoming volunteer opportunities, programs, resources, and City Council presentations visit, www.ci.richmond.ca.us/IHeartRichmond

Richmond, CA (10)

Community Feedback Needed! – Solid Waste Services and Programs

The Economic Development, Environmental and Health Initiatives Division invites anyone who lives or works in Richmond to provide feedback regarding Richmond’s solid waste collection programs and gaps in program offerings. All responses will inform and guide the City’s approach as collection services for trash, recycling, and organics are reviewed prior to the agreement’s expiration in 2025. The City's aim is to improve and promote sustainability, equity, and zero waste.

All eligible participants who complete the Survey will be entered into a random drawing where fifteen participants will be selected to receive $50 gift cards. This Survey is being conducted by an independent research firm. Your information and identity will remain protected and private and will not be shared, sold, or used for any other purpose.

 To complete the survey visit: 

Solid Waste Survey- All Languages

Contra Costa Health to Transition its COVID Response

Contra Costa Health (CCH) is transitioning its COVID Response as local, state and federal public health emergencies come to an end. The state and county-level emergency public health declarations ended on Feb. 28, while the federal emergency declaration ends on May 11.

State testing sites and county-run COVID vaccination sites will close in March 2023. While official health emergencies are going away, we recognize that COVID is not. Contra Costa Health (CCH) will still be addressing COVID as part of its regular departmental operations in the future with a focus on equity.

 Here are two key dates:

For more information, see CCH’s Easy Access to Care handout or read their COVID-19 transition plan.

Air Pollution Complaints (BAAQMD)

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District receives over 12,000 air pollution complaints each year from members of the public. Community members are keenly aware of air pollution events and often provide the first warning of air quality problems. Satisfactory resolution of complaints is one of the most important objectives of Air District staff.

Examples of complaints include dust or chemical air pollutants emitted by industrial plants, refineries, neighborhood businesses, gas station nozzles, idling trucks, locomotives and buses; and smoke from agricultural fires, controlled burns, non-cooking backyard fires and outdoor trash burning.

To file a complaint, complete an online complaint form or call BAAQMD's 24-hour toll-free hotline at 1-800-334-ODOR (6367).

For more information, visit BAAQMD online.

BAAQMD Complaint Form

Richmond Rising: Healthy, Connected, and Climate Strong


On October 27th, 2022, Richmond was awarded a $35M Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Round 4 Implementation Grant by the California Strategic Growth Council. A brief summary of the Richmond Rising grant application is include below. For more information visit: California Awards $96 Million for Climate Projects in 10 Frontline Communities | California Governor. 

Richmond Rising: Healthy, Connected, and Climate Strong. In addition to the nine projects listed below, Richmond's application included Transformative Plans for community engagement efforts, workforce development programs, and displacement avoidance policies and programs in the Iron Triangle, Santa Fe, and Coronado neighborhoods:

  1. Neighborhood Complete Streets: walking and biking improvements on Harbour Way, Ohio Ave, and AC bus stops.
  2. Richmond Wellness Trail, Phase 2: walking and biking improvements to connect with Phase 1 to make a beautiful trail all the way from BART to the waterfront.
  3. E-Bike Lending Library: long-term and short-term e-bike access for free to residents to improve carbon-free mobility options.
  4. Resilient Homes for Healthy Communities: residential solar panel installations and home energy efficiency and health and safety upgrades at no cost to income-qualifying residents.
  5. Basins of Relations: residential greywater systems and rainwater capture systems at no cost to income-qualifying residents, installed by local youth who receive training in watershed stewardship and installation.
  6. Bosque del Barrio: tree planting throughout the project area to create a healthy urban forest.
  7. ADA Accessible Garden: edible and pollinator garden at Unity Park with specially designed planting beds so seniors and wheelchair users can comfortably participate in gardening and community activities.
  8. Orchard for ALL!: creating a distributed orchard through fruit tree giveaways, with tree care and harvest support offered in exchange for a share of the harvest, which will be distributed at free farm stands and in veggie boxes.
  9. Veggie RX: prescription veggie boxes in partnership with the local health clinic, to provide free fruits and vegetables as preventative care along with community health workers and programming to support change to a more sustainable diet.

PG&E Resources

On October 25, 2022, the Richmond City Council received the quarterly update from PG&E. Below please find the list of resources from the presentation. 

October 25 2022 City Council Item P.2 PGE Quarterly Update_Page_01

Preparation: 

  • Update Contact Information - Receive outage and restoration notifications. 
  • Safety and Preparation - Prepare an emergency plan including portable backup power, hotel accommodations and accessible transportation. Additional preparation resources at, disabilitydisasteraccess.org. 
  • Backup Power Meter Support - PG&E has developed a new meter program to help our customers safely power their homes during emergency outages. Currently the offer is available for qualified PG&E customers who have been issued a rebate for a qualified backup generator.
  • Medical Baseline Program - Apply to receive energy savings and extra outreach. 
  • Explore Backup Power Options - Determine the right solution and generator rebate qualifications. Options include generator rebates for customers who rely on well water and portable batteries for Medical Baseline customers in high fire risk areas. 
  • Self-identify for Vulnerable Customer Status - The program’s goal is to help address the needs of customers whose life or health would be at risk should their electric or gas service be disconnected. To self-certify for Vulnerable Customer status, you must download, print, and submit an application that is valid after acceptance by PG&E. 
  • Wildfire Safety Information - To view recordings of past wildfire safety webinars visit, pge.com/firesafetywebinars. 
  • PG&E's YouTube Channel - For more safety information, tips to be prepared, and other resources.

During a Power Outage:

California Senate Bill SB 1383 Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCP)



In a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP), SB 1383 ultimately requires a 75 percent reduction of the level of statewide disposal of organic waste by 2025, based on levels from 2014. Additionally, 20 percent of commercial edible food will need to be recovered from disposal.

To comply with this law, all businesses and residents will be required to separate organics and recyclable materials from trash and either subscribe to the required collection services or self-haul to an appropriate facility for diversion. Organic waste consists of compostable materials (plant debris, food waste, food-soiled paper, and untreated wood). 

RecycleMore, the West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority, has additional compliance information and will post more information as it becomes available.

Additional information and resources can be found at, SB 1383 Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCP) | Richmond, CA - Official Website.

Recycling and Compost Refresher Webinar!

Last Thursday, the City of Richmond, Environmental Initiatives Division and Republic Services hosted an informational webinar about recycling and composting in Richmond. 

To view the recording in both English and Spanish, and to learn about other recycling resources and news, visit Richmond Waste, Recycling, and Compost Services. 

If you have questions about recycling or composting, contact Republic Services Recycling Coordinators at recyclingcoordinators@republicservices.com or call, (510) 262-7140.

CAP Banner

The City of Richmond Environmental and Health Initiatives Division has launched a Climate Action Plan (CAP) Open Data Dashboard to report on the City's progress towards climate action goals. For additional information, please send an email to richmondopendata@ci.richmond.ca.us.

Adopted in 2016, Richmond’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) outlines goals and strategies for reducing the city’s greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for the impacts of climate change on public health, infrastructure, ecosystems, and public spaces in our community. The dashboard serves to monitor progress towards reaching the CAP goals, inform policy decisions, and provide data to the community.