Leading By Example

Achieving true sustainability requires a diverse approach. The city of Millbrae, California — just south of San Francisco at the end of the BART transit line — is doing just that, setting a magnificent example for surrounding communities. This small town of just over 20,000 has a lot to show the rest of us, from city-sponsored solar rebates to a very progressive food service ware ordinance. A lot of eyes have been on Millbrae’s sustainable progress since it began its exemplary work many years ago.

Sustainable History

Since the early 1990s, water conservation has been a primary focus in Millbrae. The city offers rebates for high efficiency clothes washing machines and toilets, plus free kitchen and bathroom aerators and toilet leak tablets to all residents and businesses. They even hold free water-wise landscaping workshops to inform people about the benefits and means for conserving water at their home or business.

A recurring theme in Millbrae’s run at sustainability is a do-it-yourself mentality. City government does not simply tell its constituents what to do; it leads by example and engages them, giving them the tools for going green and pointing them in the right direction. Instead of forcing homeowners to conserve water, Millbrae offers the tools and simply says, “Now look what this can do for you, your community and our environment.” And the people of Millbrae have responded in a big way. Actions speak louder than words, and Millbrae is a prime example of that.

Millbrae has an extremely high participation rate in its recycling program, well above state-mandated compliance levels. The city has had a curbside recycling program since the late ’80s, and that experience shows. When the state of California required that cities reduce the amount of garbage sent to landfill by 50 percent by the year 2000, Millbrae reached that goal a year ahead of schedule, posting a high current recycling rate of 67 percent.

Millbrae also houses seven participants in the Bay Area Certified Green Business program, including City Hall and the Millbrae branch of the San Mateo County Library, which is leading the local fight against “brown” building.

These programs, led by water conservation and waste reduction, facilitated a remarkable decrease in greenhouse gas emissions in Millbrae — more than anyone realized when the state mandated reductions and the emissions were measured once more. Now, the city and surrounding communities can see how effective progressive conservation policies can be, and Millbrae has a head-start on reducing its carbon footprint even more in the coming years.

Sustainable Food, Sustainable City

It’s obvious the people of Millbrae know all about waste reduction and conservation, and they’re tackling the problem from all sides, including food. Disposable food service ware and utensils are a major source of waste throughout the country. Much of it is made from polystyrene, a non-recyclable plastic that litters streets, waterways, beaches and landfills. So, Millbrae put the kibosh on the product, banning polystyrene food service ware products such as plates, bowls, and cups in all restaurants, delis, cafes, vendors, food trucks, fast food restaurants and city facilities within city limits.

Now, all food service businesses in Millbrae must use compostable or recyclable cups, plates and other service ware. Taking it even further, all disposable utensils must be biodegradable because plastic forks, knives and spoons cannot be recycled. In this way, they’ll at least break down faster and customers can even compost them on their own if they like.

Oh, and if you’re heading to the grocery store in Millbrae, be sure to stop by the Public Works Office and pick up your free reusable shopping bag made from 100-percent post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. Yet another free and easy tool for curbing climate change in Millbrae. It’s no wonder that all eyes are on this small city. It is, after all, setting a big example for the entire country.

There’s not a lot of waste in Millbrae. And nowhere in the city is that fact exemplified on a larger scale than at the municipal wastewater treatment plant. The plant uses brown grease from kitchen waste to create green energy. This biofuel technique now supplies nearly 100 percent of the treatment plant’s energy needs.

The city also offers small rebates for business and home solar power, in addition to the big rebates available from the state of California and the federal government. But in Millbrae, the movement is not all about solar power or any specific path. You may not find Millbrae leading the nation in solar panels installed, but residents have an undeniable drive to get sustainable and they are actively seeking out their own ways to do so. And there’s no doubt you’ll find Millbrae at or near the top of any list of sustainable cities, doing what Millbrae does best: Leading by example.

Links to all Sustainable Millbrae programs may be found at the City website.

Photo Credit: The Magnolia

Posted on March 25th in Sustainable Cities by Dan.