The city is asking residents to recycle their household items by selling them instead of throwing them away. The annual garage sale started in 1992 after the state passed AB 939, a mandate that required all cities to reduce their waste by 25 percent by the end of 1995 and 50 percent by the year 2000.

According to Dorlene Russell, environmental outreach coordinator with the solid waste division of the public works department, Sunnyvale has already cut down its waste by 56 percent despite the city's population growth.

City staff came up with the citywide garage sale idea in 1992 in response to the state legislation. "We wanted to do something creative that would get the community involved in the issue," Russell said.

The city created a free garage sale kit to distribute to residents and has already mailed out 300 for this year's sale. The kit, which includes sales tips, is also available online.

The city has worked with local businesses like Coldwell Banker and the Chamber of Commerce to market the sale.

Many organizations get involved to help charities, Russell said. For example, the public safety department has used the garage sale day to raise funds for local women's shelters, she said.

This year the San Miguel Neighborhood Association is having its annual garage sale at Jim's Service Station at 948 E. Duane Ave. the same day to raise funds for the printing of the group's newsletter.

Home Depot and Black and Decker have even gotten into the recycling act for old lawn mowers as well.

While bargain shoppers are cruising around Sunnyvale on April 26, they can also stop by Home Depot between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. to exchange a gas-powered lawn mower for a $100 rebate on a Black and Decker electric mulching lawnmower that will cost $79 after the discount.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District, which serves Santa Clara County, worked with the solid waste division to bring the Lawn Mower Buyback Program to Sunnyvale.

Gas mowers cause a large amount of pollution and can emit the same amount of smog from one hour of mowing as an average new car driving 375 miles does, according to Ralph Borrmann, public information officer with the air district.

"Lawn mowers haven't received the same kind of regulations that car engines have in the past decade, so mowers tend to be a lot dirtier," Borrmann said.

The electric mulching mower will release the chopped grass back onto the lawn to reduce the amount of yard waste having to be picked up by the city.

All in all, Russell said, the city is offering a good deal to residents, whether it's cheap lawn mowers or help with selling old household goods. "These are all creative ways to be cost-conscious," Russell said.

And the city must continue its campaign to reduce waste, not only to comply with state regulations but also to help the environment, said Russell.

In past years Russell says, the garage sale has been very popular among residents, adding that the feedback the city receives from its surveys is positive as well. "Residents have told us it helped them build community. They got to know their neighbors and spend quality time with their families," Russell said.