Environmental and Health Initiatives

FREE Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) & Mattress Collection Event (9/23)

Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023

Time: 8:00am to 1:00pm

Location: 371 South 23rd Street, Richmond, CA (Richmond Galileo Club)

Eligibility: Only for residents of West Contra Costa County (Richmond, San Pablo, Hercules, Pinole, El Cerrito, Bayview, East Richmond Heights, El Sobrante, Montalvin Manor, North Richmond, Rollingwood, Tara Hills, Crockett-Torney-Port Costa, and Rodeo) 

For more information about the event or HHW disposal visit, www.recyclemore.com or call (888) 412-9277

FLYER LINK: https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/ImageRepository/Document?documentID=66621

Can't make it to this special one-day event?

Drop-off HHW and Mattresses at the West Contra Costa County Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 101 Pittsburg Ave, Richmond. The facility is open Wednesday to Saturday from 9 AM - 4 PM. 

Highlights of the Drop-Off Event:

• Free Drop-off: No charge for dropping off household hazardous waste (HHW) items and mattresses.
• Restrictions Apply: Max of three mattresses and/or box springs per household and weight. No furniture or trash. See flyer below for additional restrictions.  
• Waste Types Accepted: Unwanted household chemicals, pesticides, automotive fluids, paint, batteries, CFLs, electronic waste, and up to three mattresses and/or box springs per household.
• Safe & Efficient - No Walk Ups: Participants must remain in their vehicles for a contactless drop-off experience.
• Proper ID Required: Please bring proper identification for proof of residency.

Virtual C-LEAP Stakeholder Workshop (NREL & City of Richmond)

The City of Richmond and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) hosted a workshop on Wednesday, August 30^th from 12:30pm-2pm via Zoom, where participants received a presentation and the opportunity to share thoughts and ideas on the Richmond Equitable Existing Buildings Electrification Analysis findings. 

From January to June 2023, the City and NREL conducted a city-wide building and energy use analysis to develop and assess the feasibility and impact of various approaches to electrifying all existing buildings within the city limits. The assessment considered privately owned and operated buildings, including residential, commercial, institutional, and some light industrial uses. This collaborative effort aims at developing more targeted implementation scenarios for consideration by Richmond’s City Council.  

Upon receiving feedback from participants and their organizations during this workshop, the City will incorporate ideas into the development of a Richmond Equitable Existing Buildings Electrification Plan (REEBEP) that will include implementation strategies for electrifying the City’s existing buildings. 

This 18-month project is ongoing and is currently in its stakeholder engagement stage. 

• For more information on the project, please click here. 
• Equitable Electrification Analysis for Existing Buildings Report. 
• PowerPoint Presentation presented during the virtual workshop. 

Resources from GRID Alternatives Workshop (July 19th, 2023)

The Richmond City Manager’s Office Economic Development Department in partnership with GRID Alternatives, hosted a No-Cost Solar Program community workshop for Richmond and North Richmond residents on Wednesday, July 19th at 6:30PM. The workshop was held in-person at 440 Civic Center Plaza Richmond, CA in the multi-use room. The workshop gave an overview of the program benefits and program eligibility. Below is the presentation and audio from the workshop.

• GRID Alternatives Workshop Presentation 7-19-2023
• GRID Alternatives Workshop Presentation Audio 7-19-2023

Solid Waste Contamination Audits Returning starting Monday, July 17th

Republic Services will be resuming solid waste contamination audits on Monday, July 17th. The audits had been discontinued during the pandemic, however, due to the increased levels of contamination, the audits are returning to encourage proper material separation. Additionally, these audits support the City to comply with California Senate Bill 1383. 

Customers in the area where the contamination audits will be conducted will be notified by Republic Services via an automated call blast. For any questions or additional information, please contact Republic Services at (510) 262-7100. For additional information on recycling and compost, please visit, https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/1709/Waste-Recycling-Compost-Services

Richmond Recycling Webinar Recording (English): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_RxO1QxSZs&t=5s

Richmond Recycling Webinar Recording (Spanish): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQFEVKUua8U

Solid Waste Collection Franchise Agreement

On July 19, 2022, the City of Richmond entered into a contract with R3 Consulting Group, Inc. to provide analysis and recommendations regarding the City’s Solid Waste Franchise Agreement. The contract’s scope of work also includes the review, analysis, and recommendations for the City’s other solid waste-related agreements. 

Through this contract, R3 recommends the City start the process as soon as possible for securing ongoing solid waste collection services, of which there are two primary pathways: 

• Pathway One: Conduct a competitive procurement process for a new solid waste collection agreement via a Request for Proposals (RFP) wherein qualified service providers would be invited to provide proposals. 
• Pathway Two: Conduct sole-source contract negotiations with incumbent providers (Republic), while still preserving the City’s ability to proceed to RFP processes if negotiations are unsuccessful.

While both procurement pathways are viable and currently available to the City, each have benefits and drawbacks, and thus lend themselves to advantageous outcomes within different circumstances. Additional information can be found in the Staff Report and R3 Memo linked below. R3 Consulting and City staff recommended Pathway One of a competitive procurement process. City Council voted to complete a competitive solicitation process. 

Additionally, a competitive procurement process for the Solid Waste Franchise Agreement aligns with the State Audit: Richmond Corrective Action Plan. For more information on the Corrective Action Plan view, Item X.1 on the December 20, 2022 City Council Meeting.

City Council Meeting May 2, 2023

• Item P.3.a Staff Report
• Item P.3.a Powerpoint
• R3 Consulting Phase 1, 2, and 3 Memo

City Council Meeting July 19, 2022

• Item V.5.a Staff Report
• Attachment 1 – Proposed Contract with R3 Consulting Group, Inc
• Attachment 2 – Request for Qualifications
• Attachment 3 – BidsOnline Report Solid Waste
• Attachment 4 – RFQ Response Score Sheet

All of Richmond's Solid Waste Agreements are available online at, www.ci.richmond.ca.us/2533/Waste-and-Recycling-Rates-and-Contracts.

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. 

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:

• PG&E Report It Safety Mobile App - The new “PG&E Report It” safety app allows customers to submit photos of non-emergency potential safety concerns with our electric system. Customers will also receive notifications when their concern is being reviewed and when it has been resolved. 
• Report or View Outages Online - View PG&E’s live map for electric outages, restoration times, or report an outage online. 
• Find Community Resource Centers during PSPS Events - Resources to find locations to charge devices, charge Electric Vehicle, and get basic supplies during a PSPS events. 
• Resources for Accessibility, Aging, Financial, and Language Needs During PSPS Events - Includes information on in-language support and replacing lost food at your local food bank during and up to three days after a PSPS outage.

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.

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.

• Business owners visit, Mandatory Commercial Organics Waste and Recycle Law (SB 1383)
• Multi-family property owners visit, Mandatory Multi-Family Organics Waste and Recycle Law (SB 1383)
• Residents visit, Mandatory Residential Organics Waste and Recycling Law (SB 1383)  

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