Environmental Events

Paper Shredding - NEW extended hours!

2023 Events: Saturday March 4, july 8 and November 4  (8 a.m. - 3 p.m.) 

SPECIAL NOTE:  Masks required. Due to social distancing protocols, residents must unload their own documents. 

The Free Paper Shredding Event hours have been extended. The event will now end promptly at 3 p.m. and all those in line prior to that time will be served (no late arrivals). Peak wait times generally occur at the very beginning and end of the event. Paper shredding events are normally held on three Saturdays during the year at our SMaRT Station in Sunnyvale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you cannot make the event, see below for other shredding services or home shredding tips. 

These events help residents protect their identity and recycle confidential or sensitive paper documents, tax returns, bank statements, or health records. The event is located at the SMaRT Station, 301 Carl Road (cross-streets are Caribbean Dr & Borregas Av) in Sunnyvale.

• DOCUMENT SHREDDING GUIDELINES LINK (MUST READ)  
• The event is only for Mountain View and Sunnyvale residents.
• Proof of residency required (driver's license or identification card or utility bill with your Mountain View address).
• Events is from 8 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Please, no early arrivals! Peak wait times occur from 8 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.; avoid arriving during these times if possible.
• The event stops at 3:00 p.m. sharp. Cars arriving after 3 p.m. will be turned away.
• If you miss the event, contact your local office supply store which may offer shredding services for a small fee.

Contact City of Sunnyvale for more information at (408) 730-7262 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

OTHER SHREDDING SERVICES & Events

The Mountain View Police Department offers one or two shred days per year as part of their Community Engagement Program since 2017. For information about their events visit facebook.com/mountainviewpolicedepartment

If you miss these events and do not have a personal shredding machine at home, there are a few options:

• Many office supply, printer and copy service stores are now providing document shredding services for a fee.  These local businesses offer shredding services:

-- Office Depot, 910 El Monte Ave, Mountain View
-- UPS Store, 650 Castro Street, Mountain View
-- FedEx Office Print & Ship Center, 1935 W El Camino Real, Mountain View

• There are also companies which will come to your home and provide shredding services for a fee. If you choose the home service, consider asking neighbors to join you and share the cost.

Home Shredding Tips

If you use a personal shredder at home, put shredded papers in paper bags, stapled shut, to prevent shreds from littering the neighborhood when your cart is collected. Put the bag under the mixed paper lid (dark blue). If you live in an apartment, put the bag in the Mixed Paper cart.

Arbor Day 

Arbor Day is typically held on the second Saturday in March and offers many public awareness and educational opportunities in advance of Earth Day. The City's Community Services Department hosts the Arbor Day event annually. 

America Recycles Day

America Recycles Day is held on November 15th annually with many events taking place on the weekend near that date. Visit America Recycles Day to find an event near you. Sign a pledge card to Learn & Act:

• Learn what materials are collected for recycling in Mountain View at home, apartments, schools and businesses, and where to get cash for bottles and cans.
• Pledge to Act now to reduce your personal waste through waste reduction, recycling and composting activities starting in November and throughout the year. 

Citywide Garage Sale at Homes 

The annual Citywide Garage Sale is usually the first weekend in May at homes throughout Mountain View. Registration begins in March and ends near the end of April each year. This free event is sponsored by the City's Recycling and Zero Waste Section of Public Works. Visit MountainView.gov/GarageSale or call 650-903-6311 for more information.  

Creek & Coastal Clean Up Events

National River Clean Up is held annually on the third Saturday in May.
California Coastal Clean Up Day is held annually on the third Saturday in September.

These are regional programs and Mountain View's participation is coordinated by the City's Fire Department, Environmental Protection, Water Pollution Prevention Program. More information may also be found at CleanaCreek.org.

Earth Day 

Earth Day is observed on April 22nd annually, and the City hosts an Earth Day event near that date to celebrate! The event will change year to year, but will typically feature local organizations and community partners, kid’s activities, presentations by City staff, food, and more. This event is a great way to learn how to make every day Earth Day!

Home Composting Workshops 

Find out how to build healthy soil through back-yard composting at a FREE, hands-on workshop for residents. Workshops are available throughout the year in both online webinar and in-person formats. The 2023 events in Mountain View will be Saturday, March 25, Saturday, May 20, and Saturday, October 7 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Registration is required. For more information and a schedule, visit the Composting Education Program website or call 408-918-4640. See more information at MountainView.gov/Composting. Dates may also be listed on the City's Calendar.

Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off 

This FREE event helps residents to properly dispose of paint, oil, cleaning products, batteries, solvents and other household chemical products; and is held on Saturdays throughout the year at a variety of locations. The next event in Mountain View will be Saturday, August 26, 2023. For more information or to make an appointment, contact the Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste Program at www.HHW.org or 408-299-7300. More information at MountainView.gov/HHW.  

Medication Disposal Day 

Prescription Drugs Take-Back Events

These events are operated by the City of Mountain View Fire Department but might also be part of a Police Department Community Engagement Event (650-903-6224). There is a drop-off box for prescription drugs in the lobby of the Police/Fire Administration Building.  There are also events and drop-off locations available at no cost throughout the year through a countywide program. For information about these and other locations, visit our Medicines & Sharps Disposal web page.

repair café

Do you have things that you like, but no longer work? Don’t toss them, repair them! Volunteers will help you assess and fix your things instead of throwing them away. Repair Café Mountain View is a volunteer-run, community service dedicated to encouraging the repair and reuse of goods, rather than sending them to landfill. At any of the free, periodic Repair Café events, volunteers will guide you to tackle the repair yourself or fix it while you watch and learn. Chances are you will leave with a once-again useful item and some knowledge of how to repair this item and others.

Next event: Saturday, March 18, 2023 from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. at the Mountain View Senior Center, 266 Escuela Ave.

For more information or to volunteer, visit Facebook.com/RepairCafeMountainView. Contact: RepairCafeMV.org or RepairCafeMV@gmail.com