SSMC’s Sustainability Ideas Bank advances sustainability by sharing solutions from cities and businesses that have proven successful elsewhere. Most ideas include contact information to allow leaders to talk directly with others who have implemented these solutions, along with links to staff reports, ordinances, websites and other resources.
The Sustainability Ideas Bank is designed to make it easier for cities and businesses to address climate change and other issues related to sustainability by removing the need for staff members to research the feasibility of ideas and for attorneys to draft new ordinances and policies. Instead, local leaders will be able to move quickly to adopt solutions that have already proven successful in other areas.
The Ideas Bank isn’t a static document. It is a continuously evolving resource that reflects progress that’s been made on new challenges as they arise. We welcome your suggestions for solutions to add to the Ideas Bank. Send them to advocate@sustainablesanmateo.org.
We are grateful to the Gratitude Giving Circle and numerous smaller donors for supporting this project, as well as six interns who helped develop it.
Sustainability Ideas Bank 2021 Entire 126-page file (3.1MB PDF) Links below jump to each section.
Index (73KB PDF)
Introduction (65KB PDF)
Affordable Housing (459KB PDF)
Business License Tax Helps Housing
Campaign Contribution Regulation
Housing Impact Fees
Limited Equity Housing Cooperatives
Mandatory Rent Registry
Missing Middle Housing
Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act
Other Solutions to Explore
Exemplary Inclusionary Housing
Minimum Lease Terms
Tiny Homes
Ecology and Biodiversity (270KB PDF)
Beekeeping Regulation
Rooftop Gardens and Green Roofs
Energy (291KB PDF)
Community Microgrids
ECO100
Reach Codes
Smart Glass for Commercial Building
Finance (181KB PDF)
InVEST Toolbox
Food and Agriculture (200KB PDF)
Green Mondays
Transportation (1MB PDF)
Alternative Transportation Incentives
Anti-Idling Ordinance
Eliminate Off-Street Parking Minimums
Encouraging Employee Bike Use
Expanded Teleworking Options
Local Commuter Benefits Ordinance
Personal Rapid Transit
Quick-Build Street Design
Seamless Transit Principles
Shuttles for Employee Commutes
Slow Streets
Streetlight Electric Vehicle Charging
Transportation Management Associations
Another Solution to Explore
Shared Micromobility
Waste (864KB PDF)
Centralized Waste Bins
Deconstruction Waste Management
Food Waste Tracking
Personal Reusable Cups for All Employees
Responsible Recycling of e-Waste
Single-Use Plastic Foodware Ban
Another Solution to Explore
Corporate Waste Audits
Water (406KB PDF)
Landscape Design Assistance
Rain Barrel Rebate
Recycled Water Ordinance
Satellite Water Treatment Facility
Streamlined Residential Gray Water Use
Other Solutions to Explore
On-Site Water Reuse for Businesses
Comprehensive City Water Conservation
