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One area in which the city of Santa Monica has
exhibited leadership is by reducing the volume
and the toxicity level of hazardous products it
purchases. Its Toxics Use Reduction Program,
begun in 1996-7 had among its objectives
the reduction of the risks associated with the
use of chemical pesticides and toxic cleaning
products, in order to safeguard both the
environment and the health of City workers and
the community. Today, the program remains a
model for business, government, and residents.
The city has materially
reduced the carbon footprint of its fleet,
by converting its
existing fleet to biofuels where possible, and
by replacing retired vehicle with those designed
to run on lower carbon alternatives. The city
also maintains its fleet using materials and
methods known to both benefit the environment
and to improve vehicle performance and fuel
efficiency.
The target for
this indicator is that by 2010, 20 purchased
hazardous product categories will be reduced in
volume or the city will choose less toxic
formulations of products used for a particular
purpose. Each year, five such categories will be
addressed. In 2007 the targets are:
-
Diesel
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Cleaning Products
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Rodenticides
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Graffiti removers and anti graffiti coating
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Fluorescent lamps
The approach
which staff is taking to reduce hazardous
material volumes or their toxicity is to develop
stakeholder groups to determine best practices
and products in each category. Engage city
staff in the mechanics of reducing hazardous
product use to or in switching to products of
lower toxicity. The city discourages the use
hazardous products by its contractors in the
work it oversees. |
