The Town of Windsor has a proud history of commitment to environmental, climate, and sustainability issues. This page is a hub for sharing the Town’s sustainability plans and actions, and for highlighting information, tools, and resources that community members can use to conserve resources, save money, live more sustainably, and reduce their contribution to climate change. 

What is Sustainability?

The United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development defines sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Sustainable actions balance three pillars, environment, social equity, and economic development with the need to use resources efficiently.

Choose to live more sustainably

The Town of Windsor has the important role of leading by example on sustainability and climate issues. Residents have the important responsibility to make the best choices they can. Having trusted sources of information helps. 

There are many local, county and regional organizations with good quality information. Follow these links below to resources about energy, water, waste, recycling, and composting. You'll also find links to Town documents that discuss Windsor's approach to sustainability.

Energy

Conserving energy and using cleaner energy are two of the most important things you can do to reduce your environmental impact.

• Sonoma Clean Power is our local electricity provider. Visit their website to:
  • Learn about EverGreen renewable power.
  • Visit their Advanced Energy Center page. 
  • Access news, articles, and event recordings at their Education Hub on topics such as lowering your energy bills, creating a comfortable home, induction cooking, electrification, pairing solar with battery storage, and more!
• The PG&E website has:
  • Energy savings tips for hot weather, cold weather, and every day. 
  •  Links to get started with rooftop solar or electric vehicles.
• The Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) has programs for:
  • Single-Family Homeowners: Learn about energy-saving upgrades for your home, identify certified contractors to do the installation, and take advantage of rebates.
  • Multifamily Property Owners: Learn about energy and water efficiency upgrades for your multifamily property, including financial incentives.
  • Small and Medium-sized Businesses: Learn about energy upgrades that can make your business greener, safer, and save you money.
• Sonoma County’s Energy and Sustainability Division provides services to all residents and businesses in Sonoma County, including:
  • The Sonoma County Energy Independence Program (SCEIP)  offers Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing, to give residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and multifamily the opportunity to make permanent energy, water, wildfire safety, and seismic strengthening improvements.
  • Quarterly workshop series for homeowners and businesses interested in energy conservation, water conservation, and wildfire resilience. The 2022 Summer workshop series topics include: fire and earthquake resilience for the home, solar and battery storage basics, energy savings, water conservation, how to fund your home improvements, and heat pumps for HVAC and water heating. 
• Do you like to Do-It-Yourself? DIY Toolkits for energy and water conservation are available through the Sonoma County Library.
• Don’t own your dwelling? Check out these Energy Star tips for Renters.

Water

• Visit the Town’s Water Conservation page:
  • To learn about the drought, watering schedules, to report leaks, and access the WaterSmart portal.
  •  Don’t miss their informative water conservation Hints & Tips!
• The Town’s Residential Water Conservation page describes a variety of programs available to the community including:
  •  The Water Efficient Landscape Rebate Program
  • The Water Smart Home Program
  • The Laundry to Landscape Graywater Program
  • The Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) Program
  • Monarch Waystations and Pollinator Gardens
  • The free, County-coordinated Garden Sense Program.
• Visit the Town’s Storm Water Quality and Management page for information on how to report clogged storm drains, spills, and dumping.
• The Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership website has many programs, rebates, water saving tips, and landscaping ideas.
• Windsor is part of the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agency. You can read their Groundwater Sustainability Plan here.
• Keep Creeks Clean! The Streets to Creeks web site explains why it is so important to keep trash and other pollutants off the street, out of storm drains, and out of creeks. Check out best residential and commercial management practices!
• Sonoma Water’s website provides excellent information on the water resources of Sonoma County including:
  • Water Resources (water supply, flood protection, sanitation, recycled water, and groundwater)
  • Environment (water use efficiency, carbon free water, Russian River Biological Opinion, Fisheries, environmental documents, Integrated Pest Management Program, and climate adaptation)
  • Community (news, public tours, community outreach, water education, información en Español, outreach programs, documents)

Waste, Recycling, and Composting

• Download the annual Sonoma County Zero Waste Guide 2022-2023, in English or Spanish, here.

Garbage and Recycling Service

• Sonoma County Resource Recovery handles waste and recycling pick up in the Town of Windsor for: 
  • Residential customers
  • Multi-Family building customers
  • Commercial customers
  • They can also help you with Construction and Demolition debris hauling and recycling. 

Household Hazardous Waste

• Zero Waste Sonoma is the public name for the Sonoma County Waste Management Agency. See their website for information on:
  • Common types of Household Hazardous Waste
  • The Household Hazardous Waste Facility (where it is, when it’s open, what you can dispose of there).
  • How to take advantage of by-appointment Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events, and a calendar showing when one is near you!
  • The Household Hazardous Waste Rover service, where household hazardous waste is picked up at your home. (By appointment, fees may apply.)
  • Electronic Waste disposal.

Composting

• Read Sonoma County Resource Recovery’s Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1393) page, describing what Windsor residents, multifamily properties, and businesses need to do to comply with the mandated recycling of organic materials that went into effect on January 1, 2022.
• Learn about your green cart and Home Composting from Zero Waste Sonoma.

Town Sustainability Documentation

• 2019 Climate Emergency Resolution
• The 2022 Sustainability Action Status Report provides the status of the twenty-two Sustainability actions identified in the Climate Emergency Resolution.
• Windsor Climate Resilience Plan webpage.
• Town of Windsor 2040 General Plan.

Regional Climate Resources

• Regional Climate Protection Authority’s (RCPA) Climate Mobilization web page.

Windsor Community Groups

Windsor Earth Action Climate Team (WeACT)

Windsor Garden Club

Windsor High School Committee for Change

Fun and Interesting links

• The State Water Resources Control Board's Clean Water Team publishes an annual California Citizen and Community Monitoring Calendar with an interesting water, wildlife or environmental link for each day of the year. Check it out!
• Join the Sonoma County Library’s Climate Circles Book Club.
• For kids! Get the Streets-to-Creeks Creek Protectors activity book!

Contact

Reach Windsor's Sustainability Coordinator at kgabor@townofwindsor.com.