When we think about how to best confront the major ecological issues of our time such as climate change, pollution, the loss of biodiversity, and the like, most people automatically think about major international legislation like the Paris Agreement. We might also think that national governments should take the lead on enforcing standards and benchmarks that help push the country towards a more sustainable future. While international agreements and national laws certainly can play a role forging a “green” future, it is often the efforts and vision of smaller towns and municipalities that are most influential in helping to steer us in the right direction. 

The town of Walnut Creek, California might not make national headlines on a regular basis. However, the roughly 33,000 households of this town located just east of San Francisco Bay are in the process of creating a far-reaching, town-wide sustainability plan that can serve as a model for a more sustainable future that every town across the country should attempt to achieve. 

The Walnut Creek Sustainability Plan

The Walnut Creek Sustainability Plan is still in the process of being developed. However, there are already several, significant accomplishments worth noting. 

The City of Walnut Creek is participating in California´s renewable energy movement by updating all of the city´s buildings and facilities to 100 percent renewable electricity service. By partnering with MCE Deep Green, the city is committing to purchase 100 percent of its energy from California solar and wind, thus eliminating all greenhouse gas emissions associated with its electricity use. According to the city´s website, “that’s an estimated 900 metric tons of greenhouse gases eliminated annually, which is like taking 193 cars off the road for an entire year.” 

Furthermore, the city has also been installing several new solar energy projects in city-owned properties. The most recent of these projects is a system of solar PV panels installed on the carports at Heather Farm Park and Boundary Oaks Golf Course. These solar projects are projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 717 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year, which is equivalent to taking 150 cars off the road. 

Lastly, the City of Walnut Creek City is also taking initiatives to reduce the municipal waste streams. According to the city government, “we are taking steps to reduce, reuse, and recycle the waste that we create. To that end, Walnut Creek has voted to eliminate litter from plastic bags and polystyrene (Styrofoam).” 

To achieve this goal, the city has enforced a polystyrene ordinance in 2014 that restricts the distribution of food containers made from Styrofoam. This ordinance applies to all area restaurants, cafes, delicatessens, and food trucks. Furthermore, the city also implemented in 2014 a plastic bag ordinance wherein single-use plastic checkout bags were eliminated from all retailers. According to the ordinance, paper bags made of post-consumer recycled materials may be sold at a minimum of 10 cents per bag in order to encourage shoppers to bring their own reusable bags.

What Can You Do to Help Achieve a More Sustainable Future for Walnut Creek?

Though the environmental actions and ordinances of the City of Walnut Creek are certainly important, every resident of the city needs to do their part to help move towards a more sustainable future. Below, we list three simple suggestions that every individual, homeowner, and business owner can do to support the transition towards a greener future. 

1. Consider Purchasing Renewable Energy for Your Home or Business: Even if you don’t own your home or cannot afford a complete rooftop solar installation, you can still complete eliminate the greenhouse gas emissions associated with your energy use. MCE Deep Green Energy allows individuals and businesses to purchase energy that is 100 percent non-polluting wind and solar power produced in California. For the average residential customers, Deep Green energy is only $5 more per month than Light Green 60% renewable service. Learn more here. 
2. Make it a Priority to Recycle all Construction and Demolition (C&D Debris): The state of California´s is pushing for a 65 percent reduction in landfill waste. According to national statistics, C&D debris is more than double the amount of municipal solid waste (MSW). To help reduce the amount of C&D debris ending up in landfills, the City of Walnut Creek has initiated a construction and demolition materials recycling program that you can participate in. Learn more here. 
3. Hire the Best Junk Removal Companies that are Committed to Recycling and Reusing Your Junk: No matter how environmentally conscious we may be, there are times in life when we inevitably need to empty out the junk we have accumulated in our homes or businesses. Whereas many junk removal Walnut Creek companies take the waste they pickup directly to the landfill, Junk King of Contra Costa is one of the few companies that makes every effort to ensure that your junk gets donated, recycled, or repurposed instead of sent directly to the dump. 

Why Choose Junk King of Contra Costa?

Junk King of Contra Costa offers an efficient (and legal) way to get rid of almost all of your bulky junk items, including hot tubs, refrigerators, freezers, mattresses, computers and other “e-waste” items, TV´s, appliances, old furniture, yard waste, construction and demolition debris, and more. Not only do we allow you to easily clear out space in your home, but we also make every effort to make sure that your junk items stay out of the landfills in our county that are quickly approaching maximum capacity.

Our owner Krishna Vepa started a Junk King franchise because due to his concern about the environment. Krishna has previous professional experience in renewables and recycling in the Hi Tech Industry. This experience has permitted Junk King of Contra Costa to develop a series of relationships with dozens of recycling organizations. We also deliver many of the used items we pick up to thrift stores, donations centers, and other similar organizations. Our solid commitment to the environment allows us to recycle or reuse 60 percent or more of the junk items that we pick up from our clients. 

By working with Junk King of Contra Costa, you can rest assured that we will do everything possible to help you get rid of your junk quickly, efficiently, and in a respectful manner. Besides going the extra mile to recycle or reuse a large portion of what we pick up, we also are proud to say that we have the lowest pricing in the market we serve.

Junk King Contra Costa offers professional, efficient, and environmentally friendly junk removal Walnut Creek services for residents of the Contra Costa region, including residents of Alameda, Alamo, Albany, Antioch, Berkeley, Brentwood, Byron, Clayton, Concord, Crockett, Danville, Livermore, Oakland, Pleasanton, Richmond, San Leandro, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek. 

How to Hire Junk King Contra Costa 

If you live in the Contra Costa region and need to get rid of your excess junk, simply give us a call at (925) 289-8511 or 1-888-888-5865 (JUNK). You can also book us online by filling out the form found here. Also, you can text us an image of the junk that you need hauled away at 1-737-888-5865 and we will text you back a price estimate. 

Once you have agreed to the price we send back to you, you simply have to pick a date and a two-hour window. In many cases, we might even be able to offer same day service. Our junk removal professionals will call you 15 minutes before arrival, and all you have to do is show us where the junk is. We will do all the heavy hauling to ensure that you can efficiently and affordably free up space in your home or business. Call us today to take the first step to getting rid of the junk you have laying around your space.