Whack-a-Waste: California’s Evolving Laws on Refuse

In California’s ongoing battle against single-use plastics, efforts to eradicate plastic bags have been a game of Whack-a-Mole. Just as one type of disposable bag is banned, another emerges in its place, challenging legislators and environmental advocates to keep pace with the ever-evolving landscape of plastic pollution. This relentless cycle mirrors the arcade game’s ceaseless […]

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Justice scales

The High Social Costs of “Cheap” Artificial Turf

Students and their parents pay for artificial turf injuries. A great deal of public money has been spent by school boards and park departments on artificial turf fields over the past decade. The consensus thinking was that the high initial investment would be offset by greatly reduced water use and maintenance costs over the fields’ […]

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Replace Turf Sign

Fake Plastic Fields: Not Good for Anyone

Sustainable Silicon Valley strongly recommends investing budget, maintenance and water resources in natural grass athletic fields and replacing synthetic turf fields with natural, living grass as they wear out. This transition is essential to prioritizing the well-being of playing field users– children, teenagers, and adults– and to fostering a healthier environment and aligns with practices adopted […]

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Home for the Holidays

Yes, it’s the time of year for holiday celebrations and our suggestions for greening them. Keep these tips in mind to improve the sustainability of your gatherings for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa & New Year’s Eve, whether you’re hosting a traditional family gathering or simply attending an event with friends. You’ll feel better remembering that in […]

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The REGENERATIVE COMMUNITIES Manifesto

Santa Clara Agrihood – Steinberg Hart The Bay Area, like much of California, is facing record heat, chronic drought, housing affordability/access issues, strained electrical grids, and a democratic crisis at the community level–to name a few of the issues. This puts greater emphasis on the importance of a city’s physical resilience, sustainability, and regenerative capabilities. […]

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Greywater can be the New Blue

Here in California, fruit hangs heavy on the vines And there’s no gold, I thought I’d warn you And the hills turn brown in the summertime… Kate Wolf Tweet Drought has become the “new normal” in California. Currently, the National Integrated Drought Information System categorizes 97.5% of state land as being in “severe drought” (D2) […]

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