City Government, News Release, Sustainability

Hayward Annual Environmental Awards

April 25, 2016

The City of Hayward is pleased to announce the recipients of the City of Hayward’s 2016 Annual Environmental Awards.  Each of the awardees was recognized at a special City Council presentation held on April 19, 2016 at City Hall.  The awards honored residents and property managers of multi-family homes for excellent environmental practices, such as their participation in the City-sponsored recycling program and the Bay Area Multi-family Building Enhancement program.  Schools and businesses were also honored for their implementation of energy efficiency and water conservation measures, waste reduction, reuse, and recycling programs, as well as environmental education activities. 

Students from Bret Hart Middle School posing with Mayor Halliday in Council Chambers
Bret Harte Middle School: Teacher Belynda Ray and students involved in the recycling program: Mario Garcia, Andrea Garcia-Pena, Jasmine, Nevarez, Alice Perez,  Me, Irvin Singh,  Ulises Coria, Eduardo Cardona Tovar, Paulina Lopez, Yadhira Guzman 

Schools that were recognized for their environmental stewardship efforts at the ceremony included Stonebrae Elementary School, Longwood Elementary School, Lea’s Christian School, Cesar Chavez Middle School, Bret Harte Middle School, and Tennyson High School. 

Residents who were recognized for exceptional recycling practices during the ceremony include: Alejandra Medina, Maria Barillas, Swaran Singh, Alfred Winkler, Benjamin Kidman, Gloria Cunningham, Nancy Strange, and Thu Pham.  Also recognized for outstanding recycling practices were the following managers of multi-family properties: Paul Taylor of Lord Tennyson Apartments, Amanda Ramirez of Mission Bay Condos, Gabriela of Parkview Terrace Apartments, and Barbara Turner of South Garden Manor. 

Property managers recognized for their participation in the Bay Area Multi-Family Building Enhancements program were Neil Saxby of Huntwood Commons and Josephine Lum Lodge, Sandra Saffarian of Cypress House Apartments and Valle Verde Apartments, and Joanne and John Bezis who manages the apartments at 1647-1659 B St.

Mayor Halliday posing with former Mayor Michael Sweeney in Council Chambers as Council Member Peixoto and Council Member Lamnin look on
Mayor Halliday presents Former Mayor Michael Sweeney 

Former Mayor Michael Sweeney received a special recognition for laying the foundation for many of the environmental programs and achievements within the City of Hayward, including establishing the Keep Hayward Clean and Green Task Force in 2006, and the Council Sustainability Committee in 2007.

Mayor Halliday poses with employees from Alphabet Energy in Council Chambers as Council Member Jones and Council Member Lamnin look on
Alphabet Energy: Patrick O’Reilly, Senior Vice President; Julie Lydon, Director of Communications; Ad de Pijper, Vice President of Operations, Mike Lindheim, Vice President of Deployment, Jordan Chase, Lead Engineer, Systems R&D

The awards to businesses were co-sponsored by the Hayward Chamber of Commerce. Felson Companies received an honorable mention for their sustainability efforts. The organizations that received the award for outstanding environmental leadership in the Hayward community were Pepsi Hayward, Alphabet Energy, Hayward Area Senior Center, and South Hayward Parish. 

Mayor Halliday poses with members of South Hayward Parish in Council Chambers as Council Member Marquez looks on
South Hayward Parish: Ralph Morales, Food Pantry Program Director; Susan Merrill, Executive Director; Betty DeForest, former Executive Director

The City of Hayward wants to thank all those who participated in the award process, and hopes that residents, schools, and businesses continue to do their part to create a healthy and sustainable community! 

The City of Hayward was one of the first cities in the Bay Area to adopt a Climate Action Plan.  One of the primary goals of the Climate Action Plan is to enhance the health and sustainability of all who live and work in Hayward.  The Plan identifies actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions including, for example, increasing participation by residents and businesses in the City’s recycling and organics services, encouraging waste reduction, and banning certain materials from the landfill. Information about recycling and organics services available to residents and businesses is on the City’s website.  Staff from the City’s Utilities and Environmental Services Department is available for assistance at 510.583.4700. 

Download the full press release.