Alameda City Council
January 20, 2026

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… January 20, 2026 Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft Vice Mayor Michele Pryor Councilmember Greg Boller Councilmember Tony Daysog Councilmember Tracy Jensen RE: Agenda Item 7-B Recommendation to Adopt the 2025 Zero Waste Implementation Plan Update. Dear Members of the City Council: Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA) is a community-wide coalition dedicated to raising awareness, mobilizing community action, and facilitating the implementation of the City’s Climate Action and Resiliency Plan and more generally to increase community sustainability and well-being. We support the recommendation to adopt the 2025 Zero Waste Implementation Plan Update. Alameda has made tremendous progress and is a leader in implementing Zero Waste strategies. The plan’s focus on outreach, education, and Community-Based Social Marketing will contribute significantly to the City’s Zero Waste goal. CASA is eager to continue our collaboration and support of the City’s Zero Waste programs and have aligned our work to the priorities identified in the Zero Waste Implementation Plan Update, including: § Reusable cup expansion through our work with Okapi Reusables, including 12 cafes in Alameda and 10 additional cafes in Berkeley and Oakland. § Recycling and composting support at public events and festivals by providing Zero Waste Ambassadors (aka Trash Talkers). § Recycling and composting support at Alameda schools through our Alameda Green Schools Challenge. § Monthly Coastal Cleanups at the Sea Plan Lagoon Promenade (every second Saturday 10AM-12PM), raising awareness about the impacts of single-use plastics and other litter. § Research on potential future updates to the City’s foodware ordinance, reducing the burden on City staff and local restaurants and increasing the potential for reusable options. § Research on potential future updates to the City’s mandatory recycling and composting ordinance, partnering with property managers and property owners to inform their tenants about how to properly sort their materials and participate in the City’s bulky item reuse, recycling and collection program. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Zero Waste strategies can contribute to our greenhouse gas reduction goals by reducing the creation of methane in our landfills and reducing the energy use and transportation of goods and food. As an island city, we are particularly impacted by climate change and plastic pollution and need to show leadership in reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions. We fully support adoption of the Zero Waste Implementation Plan Update and encourage the City Council to fully fund the Zero Waste strategies outlined in the plan. Sincerely, Ruth Abbe, Steering Committee Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda