Environmental and Health Initiatives

The City of Richmond Environmental Initiatives team promotes systems and policy changes that support the development of healthy and sustainable neighborhoods. The Division collaborates with the community and other city departments to implement actions identified in the Climate Action Plan, Health in All Policies Strategy Document, and the Energy and Climate Change Element and Community Health and Wellness Element of the Richmond General Plan 2030. The team aims to build the City and community's capacity to improve and promote sustainability and health equity. 


City of Richmond, CA Environmental and Health Initiatives
8th and Harbour Bioswale Richmond Greenway 9.29.17

I Heart Richmond

I Heart Richmond is a City-wide beautification and clean-up initiative led through a collaboration of several City departments and community-based organizations. 

To learn more about upcoming volunteer opportunities, programs, resources, and City Council presentations visit, www.ci.richmond.ca.us/IHeartRichmond

Richmond, CA (10)

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

City Council Meeting July 19, 2022

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

Community Feedback Needed! – Solid Waste Services and Programs

The Economic Development, Environmental and Health Initiatives Division invites anyone who lives or works in Richmond to provide feedback regarding Richmond’s solid waste collection programs and gaps in program offerings. All responses will inform and guide the City’s approach as collection services for trash, recycling, and organics are reviewed prior to the agreement’s expiration in 2025. The City's aim is to improve and promote sustainability, equity, and zero waste.

All eligible participants who complete the Survey will be entered into a random drawing where fifteen participants will be selected to receive $50 gift cards. This Survey is being conducted by an independent research firm. Your information and identity will remain protected and private and will not be shared, sold, or used for any other purpose.

 To complete the survey visit: 

Solid Waste Survey- All Languages

511 Contra Costa- Guaranteed Ride Home

Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) has bike riders covered. The FREE program will reimburse for a ride home during unexpected emergencies like a personal illness, sick child, or missing your carpool up to six GRH trips per year. Register now, and you’ll be ready to go if an emergency strikes. Please visit the program’s website for details and eligibility requirements, https://511contracosta.org/guaranteed-ride-home/


Biking Resources

Richmond and the East Bay have the biking resources you are looking for. Checkout the options below. 

  • Richmond Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (RBPAC)- Passionate about a bikeable and walkable Richmond? Want to be apart of next year's Bike to Work Day? Join RBPAC! Visit their new website at https://www.rbpac.org/.

  • Rich City Rides Bike Shop- The bike shop is located in the heart of Richmond and a resource for all residents. Purchase a bike, get your bike fixed, or register for their Self-Care Sunday rides on 

  • The Pedaler Bike Shop- El Sobrante’s family run, friendly local bike shop for over 40 years. 

  • Bike East Bay- They have a plethora of resources for families, new riders, or riders that need a refresher. Checkout their resources for Free Classes/webinars, Tips for New Riders, and biking activities for families. 

  • E-Bike Rebate- Buy a new e-bike and apply for a cash rebate of $150-$300 through 511 Contra Costa. 

Air Pollution Complaints (BAAQMD)

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District receives over 12,000 air pollution complaints each year from members of the public. Community members are keenly aware of air pollution events and often provide the first warning of air quality problems. Satisfactory resolution of complaints is one of the most important objectives of Air District staff.

Examples of complaints include dust or chemical air pollutants emitted by industrial plants, refineries, neighborhood businesses, gas station nozzles, idling trucks, locomotives and buses; and smoke from agricultural fires, controlled burns, non-cooking backyard fires and outdoor trash burning.

To file a complaint, complete an online complaint form or call BAAQMD's 24-hour toll-free hotline at 1-800-334-ODOR (6367).

For more information, visit BAAQMD online.

BAAQMD Complaint Form

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. 

October 25 2022 City Council Item P.2 PGE Quarterly Update_Page_01

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:

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.

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

Recycling and Compost Refresher Webinar!

Last Thursday, the City of Richmond, Environmental Initiatives Division and Republic Services hosted an informational webinar about recycling and composting in Richmond. 

To view the recording in both English and Spanish, and to learn about other recycling resources and news, visit Richmond Waste, Recycling, and Compost Services. 

If you have questions about recycling or composting, contact Republic Services Recycling Coordinators at recyclingcoordinators@republicservices.com or call, (510) 262-7140.

CAP Banner

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.