Departmental Sustainability Efforts

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This page is meant to highlight the incredible efforts put forth by The City of Glendale's Departments to make the city greener, cleaner, and leaner with the resources it uses.

Glendale Water and Power

City Owned Solar Program

Glendale Water & Power is continuously expanding its clean energy portfolio by installing solar photovoltaic systems on city owned properties at:

Brand Landfill – This solar array is estimated to produce approximately 3 million kWh/year of clean solar energy. That is equivalent to powering 411 homes annually.

Glendale Community College Parking Lot 34 – This solar array is estimated to produce approximately 1.2 million kWh/year of clean solar energy, which is equivalent to powering 161 homes annually.

Utility Operations Center Parking Lot –This solar array is estimated to produce approximately 650 thousand kWh/year of clean solar energy, equivalent to powering 91 homes annually.

Glendale Central Library – This solar array is estimated to produce approximately 650 thousand kWh/year of clean solar energy, equivalent to powering 89 homes annually.

Glendale Sports Complex Solar Canopy – This solar array is estimated to produce over 2 million kWh/year of clean solar energy. That is equivalent to powering 301 homes annually.>

GWP Perkins Building – This solar array is estimated to produce approximately 300 thousand kWh/year of clean solar energy, which is equivalent to powering 41 homes annually.

These projects represent Glendale’s commitment to harnessing renewable energy to power the community sustainably.

Expanding Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

Glendale’s electric vehicle (EV) charging network continues to grow. The Glendale Sports Complex EV chargers are now in operation adding six new EV chargers, increasing the City’s network to 84 chargers installed across 11 city locations.

Electric Vehicle Ride & Drive

GWP continues to host multiple EV Ride & Drive events. This event gives Glendale residents the opportunity to test drive electric vehicles and e-bikes.

Grayson Repowering Update

The Grayson Repowering Project has achieved a significant milestone in sustainability. Over 95% of the decommissioned materials—amounting to 27,500 tons of concrete and scrap metal—were recycled, minimizing environmental impact while paving the way for Glendale’s clean energy future.

Rebates

GWP’s Home Energy and Water Saving Rebates Program helps GWP customers save money on energy and water bills by offering rebates on eligible energy-water saving products. Check out GlendaleCA.gov/Rebates to get started.

Public Works

The Public Works Department has planted over 49,000 trees throughout the city in 2024 that contribute to the City’s goal of 25% canopy coverage. The department is also continuing to ensure reliable transportation through the Beeline bus service, which served over 913,000 riders and supported sustainability by reducing more than 115,000 grams of CO₂ emissions through Climate Mobility App users, these efforts are contributing to a more sustainable and connected community.

Integrated Waste Management

Additionally, Public Works’ Integrated Waste Management Division (IWM) has expanded its composting program through workshops, spring and fall compost giveaways, and provided over 500 residents with backyard composting bins. Four compost giveaways are held each year with 80 tons per year given away since 2023, making it 160 tons to date. In 2025, the Division plans to establish neighborhood composting hubs in partnership with LA Compost.

Green Business Network

Public Works provides free assistance to help businesses “go green” and become more efficient, profitable, and sustainable using criteria established by the CA Green Business Network. As of January 2025, 29 businesses have received certification. Learn More

Fleet Electrification

In alignment with the City’s upcoming goal of a zero-emission fleet, the Public Works Department is proud to introduce the first new Electric Subcompact Street Sweeper. Paving the way toward a cleaner, more sustainable future for our community.

Community Services & Parks

The Community Services & Parks manages 37 parks throughout Glendale, providing open greenspaces for all.

Central Park Block Project

The Community Services & Parks Department secured a $5.95 million grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior for the highly anticipated Central Park Block Project. This funding will expand Glendale’s Central Park, improving green spaces, recreational amenities, and cultural programming to better serve the community.

Equipment Electrification

Community Services & Parks has completely transitioned their inventory of offroad equipment from gas power to electric power, including but not limited to leaf blowers and lawn mowers.

In a statement, Onnig Bulanikian, Community Services & Parks Director has said, "We recognized the hurdles in this transition, but it was a necessary step towards fulfilling our commitment to environmental stewardship and enhancing the quality of life for our community. By embracing electric equipment, we are actively reducing emissions and noise levels in Glendale."

Riverwalk and Wilderness Workdays

Every month, the City hosts Riverwalk workdays and Wilderness workdays. Residents are invited to join monthly volunteer events, where they can help maintain and restore Glendale’s treasured green spaces:

- Water native trees like big cone spruce and coast live oaks.

- Assist with trail repairs to improve accessibility and safety.

- Remove invasive species that threaten local ecosystems.

These efforts nurture a healthier environment, strengthen community bonds, and ensure Glendale’s natural spaces continue to thrive.

Library, Arts, & Culture

Clothing Swaps & Repair Cafés

In partnership with the Office of Sustainability, the Glendale Library, Arts & Culture Department (GLAC) has hosted a series of community events focused on reuse and waste diversion. In 2024 , five Clothing Swaps and four Repair Cafés attracted over 715 attendees, facilitating the reuse of 2,030 pounds of clothing and the repair of 377 items. Together, these efforts successfully diverted a total of 2,800 pounds of waste from landfills, helping to foster a culture of sustainability and resourcefulness in Glendale

Blended Worlds: Experiments In Interplanetary Imagination

In collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), GLAC launched Blended Worlds: Experiments In Interplanetary Imagination, an innovative exhibition combining art and science. Through a series of art and science collaborations, Blended Worlds explores the landscape of human relationships with our ever-expanding environment. The exhibition ran through January 4, 2025 and included artists collaborating with a team of JPL scientists and engineers to present a vision of the future that invites the viewer to consider the impact of greater connectedness with nature and its ability to foster a renewed sense of wonder and curiosity with our planet and the cosmos.

Electric Bookmobile

GLAC's commitment to sustainability extends to accessibility with the introduction of the all-electric Bookmobile. This eco-friendly vehicle travels to parks and school sites across Glendale, offering books and library services while helping residents save on transportation costs.

MakerSpace

The Glendale Central Library MakerSpace is equipped with sewing machines that can be used for upcycling and repairing clothes. Workshops are also offered, including sewing classes, to help residents gain new skills. By providing access to these resources, the Library encourages creativity and provides an opportunity for waste reduction.

Battery Recycling

All Library branches also allow the drop-offs of small batteries for recycling.

The Library is only accepting drop-offs of:

9 volt

C Cell

D Cell

Lithium (phone/computer)

Mercury button (watch/hearing aid)

Ni-Cd

No other battery type will be accepted.