Going Green & Keeping Clean: A Homes of Silicon Valley Resource Guide

As we transition home maintenance routines from winter to spring and watch the kids savor the serenity of the great outdoors - we have noticed we have a lot of work to do! Are you feeling it too?! Front and backyards have taken a beating from years of drought now replaced by well-weathered scenes from the heavy rains. Years of home improvement projects have left residual remembrances of old paint cans, extraneous project materials and the ever-growing e-waste that comes with constant Silicon Valley electronic upgrades. Since spring cleaning season is here and Earth Day is upon us – we thought we would dedicated this week’s blog to going green and keeping clean – Silicon Valley style.

Below we have compiled the top resources for disposing of household hazardous waste (HHW), monitoring spare the air days and incorporating living responsibly into your family life (there are some cool upcoming events!).

One BIG way you can get a jump start on going green and keeping clean is to participate in our Sereno Group E-Waste Collection Event. Dozens of item types will be accepted for complimentary disposal at 4 convenient Sereno Group locations on Saturday, April 22 from 9am-12pm. The event info can be found below and also on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/events/1483136775081641/

DID YOU KNOW: As part of our commitment to social responsibility, Sereno Group is committed to the Green Business program and has adopted the following pledge as part of our ‘green’ certification: We believe a successful business is dependent upon a healthy environment. We are actively working to show our environmental responsibility to our community by committing to the four key objectives… Read what we are doing to honor our commitment here: https://www.serenogroup.com/green-certification/

HELPFUL GO GREEN & KEEP CLEAN RESOURCES

The Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Program

https://www.sccgov.org/sites/rwr/hhw/Pages/hhw.aspx

Did you know that Santa Clara County has an extensive HHW disposal program including drop-off locations for 9 types of hazardous materials, online appointment access and a small business division? Find out where & how to dispose of medications, batteries, fluorescent lights, thermostats, paint & much more at the link above.

Air Now

https://www.airnow.gov/

The Air Now website offers air quality forecasts and current air quality index measures for over 400 cities. Maps are updated hourly and can be easily navigated by entering your zip code.  The organization even offers a colored flag program for educational communities and a tech tracking program for researchers and local/state governments. Their FAQ section also answers some thoughtful questions about air quality, health and measurement processes.

San Jose Large Item Collection

http://www.calwaste.com/index.php?option=com_tz_portfolio&view=article&id=109&Itemid=481

Residents in single-family homes can have large items (such as mattresses, sofas, refrigerators, tires, and more) collected at the curb. The First Two collections will be at No Extra Charge from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. Any additional large item collections of up to three items will cost $27.23. Visit the website to learn more, book online or call to arrange pick-up.

Green E-Waste Recycling

http://gerecycle.com/

We have not personally used this service, but it gets rave local reviews for collecting electronics directly from your business, office, warehouse, factory, campus, or storage - free of charge – across the Bay Area! As a California State Approved, EPA compliant and DTSC (Department of Toxic and Substances Control) registered full service electronic waste recycling company – they even have a plan to reduce & reuse everything they can before they recycle it. (Note that some charges apply for transportation and disposal depending on the item type and quantity.)

GO GREEN & KEEP CLEAN EVENTS

We scoured the Bay Area for activates that and fun, functional and family friendly in your mission of going green, keeping clean - and liking it!

Cupertino: 9th Annual Earth Day & Arbor Day Celebration (CLICK HERE)

This interactive, annual community event encourages community members of all ages to learn about environmental issues and solutions in a family-friendly and engaging atmosphere. Consistently attracting over 7,000 attendees and about 100 partner organizations, the Earth Day & Arbor Day Festival features hands-on activities, live entertainment, and delicious food served by local food trucks.

Earth Day Santa Cruz 2017 (CLICK HERE)

Earth Day Santa Cruz is an annual event to raise environmental awareness; address concerns; showcase solutions; and present balanced modes of living for the wellbeing of each individual, the community, and the planet.

Earth Day Lorax Reading San Jose (Various Locations) (CLICK HERE)

Celebrate Earth Day with a classic read and a cool craft! Hear The Lorax for your first time or 400^th time and then make your own Truffula Tree.

Park Beautification Day/Earth Day Litter Clean Up / Vasona April 22, 2017 9 am - 12 pm (CLICK HERE)

Let’s face it – we all enjoy Vasona Park for all types of activities and events all year long: why not show it some TLC at least one day a year?! On Earth Day, volunteers will meet at the pier parking lot at Vasona Lake at 9 AM and work together to eliminate litter and restore the beauty of one of our town’s favorite places.

If you have any other resources you’d like to see on our blog - don't hesitate to reach out! We hope this one helps you with your spring cleaning, your own commitment to living well and keeping your little (and big!) ones involved along the way.

Cheers,

Mark & Jason