The City of Goleta has taken another step in reducing our carbon footprint. As part of our Goleta Green process, the City has replaced woven polypropylene sandbags with burlap bags at its sandbag distribution sites. This follows the City’s removal beginning in September of this year of single-use plastics at City Hall, the Corporate Yard, and at all of our libraries (Goleta Valley, Buellton and Solvang).

Burlap bags are more eco-friendly than the woven polypropylene bags. Polypropylene bags have proven to break down and shred into small plastic fibers, are not biodegradable, and will eventually end up in our oceans. Burlap bags are made from natural plant fibers and are biodegradable. The City’s new burlap sandbags can be found at all three self-serve locations where the City provides sand and bags for our residents to protect their homes from storm damage:

• Fire Station 11 (6901 Frey Way and Storke Road just south of Santa Felicia, across from the main post office)
• Fire Station 14 (320 Los Carneros Road next to the Stow House Museum lot)
• Goleta Valley Community Center (5679 Hollister Avenue)

The City’s sandbag stations are stocked and ready for residents. Here are some things you should know about sandbag pick up:

• Sand and bags are available on a first come, first served basis.
• Pick up is open during daylight hours, seven days/week.
• 20 bag limit (additional bags can be purchased at home improvement stores).
• Bags are for residents.
• Bring your shovel to fill the bags.
• It is easiest to fill the bags with two people — one to hold the bag and the other to shovel the sand.

For disposal of old Polypropylene sandbags:

• Residents may displace old sand in planters or on lawns, and dispose of bags in their trash containers.
• Residents may also bring their old filled bags to Public Works Corporate Yard located at 6735 Hollister Avenue (behind the Deckers building) for disposal.

Stay informed, register for emergency alerts from Santa Barbara County at readysbc.org, and sign up for emergency information from the City at https://tinyurl.com/GoletaEmergency. Get more tips on winter storm preparedness here.

Photo: Member of the Goleta Public Works Crew holding the new burlap bags