San José Green Vision
 
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200 East Santa Clara Street
San José, CA 95113
Main: (408) 535-4800
Fax: (408) 292-6422
TTY: (408) 294-9337

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Green Vision Team
 
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Green Story
 
Zero Waste
Goal 5:
Divert 100% of waste from Landfill and Convert Waste to Energy
 
 
Improperly disposed materials pollute the air we breathe, our lands and waterways
Resource extraction and production and transportation of goods contribute significantly to harmful air emissions. Reusing products and reducing waste can help keep our air, land, and water clean
Learn how you can help reduce,
reuse and recycle
Zero Waste Fact Sheet
Contact Jennifer Seguin at 408-975-2601 or email for more details
Climate Change
In 2010, approximately 569,379 tons of waste was trucked to the landfill translating into approximately 97,000 metrics tons of CO2 equivalents.
read more...

The diversion rate shown for 2007 was the most recent diversion rate approved by CalRecycle. The updated division rates reflect data more recently approved by CalRecycle. 2010 data is still pending approval.

We want San José to become a zero waste city. Zero Waste is a systems approach to eliminating the impacts of products and packaging, resource use and reutilization through the implementation of modern materials management and greenhouse gas reduction programs. Impacts are designated as upstream impacts (e.g., pre‐consumer, resource extraction and production of goods); and downstream impacts (e.g., post‐consumer, end of life, waste management).

Instead of sending 569,000 tons of garbage to our landfills annually, we are working to divert 100 percent of the waste we generate. Currently, San José has one of the highest recycling rates in the nation. We recycle over 70 percent of our garbage and trash citywide. San José residents recycle 293,000 tons each year through the curbside Recycle Plus program alone.


First, we start by reducing the quantity of waste we create. We will increase the amount we recycle, and we’ll reuse more products. In addition, San José will become a world leader in adopting cutting-edge technologies that transform waste into usable energy. Through partnerships with innovative companies, San José will convert solid waste and biosolids into biodiesel, methanol, biogas, and electricity that will power municipal facilities.

Waste Converted to Energy (Tons) Waste Converted to Energy (kW/h)
Waste Converted to
Energy (Tons)
Waste Converted to
Energy (kW/h)
Contact Jennifer Seguin at 408-975-2543 or email for more details
Goal 4   Goal 6
 
Green events

Mercury Fever Thermometer Exchange. Fri. Feb 17 (10am-12:30pm) @ Seven Trees Community Center.

Learn more  

Guadalupe River Cleanup. Sat. Feb 25 (12pm-3pm) @ Guadalupe River Park and Gardens.

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Bike Lane Improvement Project Neighborhood Meetings. Feb 27 (6:30pm) & 29 (6pm) @ San José City Hall Wing Rooms.

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Great American Litter Pick Up. Sat. Mar 17 (8:30am-11:30am) @ Various Locations.

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