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ZWS TRAINING 101
SEPTEMBER 25, 2019
LESLIE LUKACS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ZWS BACKGROUND
ZWS is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) formed to
implement AB 939
Established in 1992
Governing body is a 10-member Board of Directors
One representative from each City and the County
MISSION & VISION
Zero Waste Sonoma’s mission is to empower personal action in waste reduction and materials management by implementing practical solutions to protect our natural resources.
Our vision is an engaged and informed community with the shared goal of thriving in a sustainable region without waste.
OUTREACH AND EDUCATION
Website
www.zerowastesonoma.gov
Comprehensive topics for residents
and businesses
Robust search function
Approximately 144,000 visitors
460+ visitors from Cotati residents
Recycling Guide (English & Spanish)
In 2025, printed 25,000 English and
13,000 Spanish Guide
Distributed to transfer stations,
community partners, nonprofits, tribal
organizations, local businesses, and
more
.pdf version available on
zerowastesonoma.gov website
OUTREACH AND EDUCATION
Events and Fairs
Participated in 171 outreach
events in 2024
7 events in Cotati
Includes Spanish language
outreach conducted through a
contractor
OUTREACH AND EDUCATION
Spanish language outreach
Call-in radio programming
(KBBF, Radio Lazer,
La Mejor)
Targeted outreach events
Countywide annual Latino business
visits
Spanish outreach leveraged by Soluna Outreach
Services
OUTREACH AND EDUCATION
REPAIR FAIRS & FIXIT CLINICS
1 Repair Fair for each member jurisdiction
in FY 25/26
§ Permanent HHW Facility at Central
§ Tues-Wed for qualifying businesses
§ Thurs-Sat for residents
§ HHW Collection Events
§ Every Tuesday, locations vary
§ 1-2 Saturdays per year in Sea Ranch
§ HHW Rover Pick-up Service
§ Every Wednesday by appointment
§ Reuse Program
§ “Like new” items available for reuse
to the public for free
§ Paint Reprocessing in four colors
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE
ELECTRONIC WASTE COLLECTION
E-Waste Programs
§ Public E-Waste Drop-Off Locations
§ Available at all 5 transfer stations
§ E-Waste Recycling Events
§ 14 events per year, locations vary
§ 10 events also have free mattress
recycling
CalRecycle Grant – Residential Solar Panel
Collection Events
12 events collecting 1000+ panels
Partnered with Conservation Corps North
Bay
10% of the panels were reused
Habitat for Humanity ReStore, farms, HS
SOLAR PANEL COLLECTION
§ New North County HHW Facility
§ 5885 Pruitt Ave, Windsor
§ 100% design of facility completed
§ Working with Sonoma Public
Infrastructure for a construction loan
§ Possible additions
§ ZWS Offices
§ Hard-to-recycle item collection
NEW HHW FACILITY - WINDSOR
Jurisdiction
Inspection &
Enforcement
Commercial
Edible Food
Generators
Recycled Paper
Procurement
Compost/mulch
Procurement
Edible Food
Recovery
Program
Education &
Outreach
Waivers Contamination
Minimization
Hauler
Program
Collection
Services
SHORT-LIVED
CLIMATE
POLLUTANTS LAW
(SB 1383)
IN ACTION
JURISDICTION
REQUIREMENTS
SB 1383 COMPLIANCE
Support Haulers
Investigate Complaints
Contract with Environmental Health
Inspections
Work with Jurisdictions
Notices of Violation
Citations
Maintain Implementation Record
FOOD RECOVERY GRANTS
CalRecycle $300k grant
CalVolunteers $2.5 mill grant
CA Youth Service Corps $1 mill
grant
USDA grant $298.5k (food
recovery + carbon sequestration)
Picture: fresh produce boxed up for
redistribution
Picture: CCNB food recovery truck purchased through a
grant
Picture: Corpsmembers redistributing packaged food items Picture: fruit being consolidated for redistribution
Compost Hubs
• Free compost for residents, yearround
• More access for residents and
more resilient than events
20 PROPOSED SONOMA COUNTY AIRPORT ORGANICS FACILITY
Currently County-led project
Completed feasibility study Dec 2022
30% design completed, permitting now
On top of closed landfill; county-owned
Process up to 65,000 TPY of organics
Solar, energy-efficient equipment, green
building materials, etc.
ZWS to lead RFP to find composter
CONSTRUCTION & DEMOLITION
County of Sonoma Climate Resiliency grant
Develop Model CD&D Ordinance
Fund Green Halo Software for 3 years
Collaboration with Permit Sonoma
Launched Green Halo May 4th
Next Steps
Transition Cotati to use Green Halo
Present model ordinance to City Council
NORTH BAY ZERO WASTE WEEK 2024
• 60+ events in Sonoma,
Marin, and Napa
• 50 community partners
• All free and open to the
public
https://northbayzerowasteweek.org/
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QUESTIONS?
THANK YOU!