Palm Desert: Exciting, Enticing – and Eco-Friendly.

Palm Desert Visitor Center Who says the desert’s not green? Today’s Palm Desert is more than a rejuvenating vacation spot - full of exciting things to do – it’s also a city dedicated to eco-friendly design and initiatives. See how the city is leading the way in several key environmental areas.

  • Energy Efficiency.  In 2006, Palm Desert pledged to reduce energy consumption by 30 percent over the next five years. To help meet this aggressive goal, the city partnered with local utility companies and energy coalitions in 2007 to create the Set to Save program – a free service to help local businesses and homeowners decrease their energy use. From free on-site energy surveys and online tips, to discount programs, Set to Save offers tools to help Palm Desert residents save money – and help the environment, too. Learn more about energy efficiency in Palm Desert by viewing our Set To Save video or visiting the Set to Save website.
  • Recycling.  More than a decade ago, Palm Desert became the first community in Riverside County to offer curbside recycling. Today the city continues to lead the way with innovative, easy-to-use recycling programs that divert about 63 percent of waste from landfills – high above the California standard of 50 percent. In addition to curbside pickup of most household recyclables, Palm Desert also offers free, environmentally friendly facilities for disposing of hazardous waste and electronics. Learn more about Palm Desert recycling.
  • Water Conservation.  Palm Desert has partnered with the Coachella Valley Water District to help residents and businesses develop efficient irrigation methods, replace water-intensive landscaping with desert-friendly vegetation and other efforts. Learn more about water conservation in Palm Desert.
  • Sustainable Development.  From preserving open spaces like parks and recreation areas to enforcing strict standards for pollution, building height and density and hillside construction, Palm Desert has made sustainable design central to the city’s development. This commitment also includes the city’s own structures like the new eco-friendly Palm Desert Visitor Center and the solar panels that help power city buildings.

For a whole new image of "going green," the desert is where it’s at – Palm Desert, that is. Find out more about our environmental initiatives when you visit Palm Desert.