We are a "Toxic-Free" City

The City of Sebastopol has been a “Voluntary Toxics-Free Zone” since May 2000, when the City Council adopted a Toxic-Free Zone Resolution for the purpose of integrated pest management. Pesticides were found to be unsafe products, even when used according to label instructions, and were found to link to a wide range of human health conditions. The City Council not only adopted the Resolution in order to provide a safe and healthy environment within city limits for residents, but also requested that the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors adopt a “Toxic-Free Zone” for a distance of two miles around the City of Sebastopol to further avoid chemical contamination to watersheds and other natural resources.
 
Today, the City of Sebastopol continues to be an environmentally conscious community dedicated to “green” practices. Public Works staff wear protective gear while spraying weeds around the city, but Dante Del Prete, Superintendent of Public Works, assures the community that the products used are environmentally friendly. “Round Up” is never used, as it contains the common pesticides found to be toxic, but the environmentally friendly “Burnout” and “Green Gobbler” are used in moderation. “Burnout” is a citric acid and clove oil product, while “Green Gobbler” is a high concentrate vinegar product. Both products, however, can still irritate the skin or eyes if mishandled, so protective gear is necessary just in case.
 
The City of Sebastopol is proud to maintain its status as a “Voluntary Toxics-Free Zone,” and encourages its citizens to remain actively aware of their community.