Downtown Environmental Action Project

DEAP helped imple­ment comprehensive recycling in downtown Palo Alto, offering businesses the opportu­nity to recycle white paper, computer paper, cans (tin and aluminum), CA redemption plastic, glass, newspaper and corrugated cardboard. The service was free. Recycling collec­tion containers were strategically placed throughout downtown to be shared by businesses. Each month, 2.5 tons of recyclables were recovered. See Action vol 4 no 1.

DEAP grew out the Earth Day 1990 Workplace Audit, recalled David Smernoff. DEAP was initiated by Palo Alto real estate developer Jim Baer, who had “caught the Earth Day bug,” according to Peter Drekmeier, and sought a way to make downtown businesses more environmental and less wasteful. While DEAP was a project of the Peninsula Conservation Center, it was informally affiliated with BAA, in part because Jim owned the commercial building BAA occupied at 504 Emerson Street. Jim donated the use of the space to BAA for over two years, including utilities.

BAA volunteers working on DEAP and other related workplace and recycling efforts included Bill Weber, Jeff Hoover, and David Coale, recalled David Smernoff in 2024.

DEAP continued for several years beyond 1990, until the City of Palo Alto’s Recycling Program caught up with the DEAP effort.

Project Leaders: Jim Baer, Myra Nissen, Debbie Mytels