Delivering world-class utility services and programs
to improve our health, environment, and economy.
(D) 2. Integrated Solid Waste
Programs Status Report
Transportation & Environment Committee
March 3, 2025
Lori Mitchell, Acting Director, Environmental Services Department Valerie Osmond, Deputy Director, Environmental Services Department Jennie Loft, Public Information Manager, Environmental Services Department Delivering world-class utility services and programs
to improve our health, environment, and economy.
Solid Waste Programs
• Solid waste collection, processing, and disposal
for residential, commercial, and City Facilities
• Municipal Code enforcement, public litter cans,
Household Hazardous Waste Program
• Programs meet or exceed state regulations,
provide ease of use and exceptional value, and
protect the environment
• Improves and protects the environment by
reducing greenhouse gas emissions
1 Delivering world-class utility services and programs
to improve our health, environment, and economy.
Fiscal Year 2023- 2024 Diversion
2 Delivering world-class utility services and programs
to improve our health, environment, and economy.
Examples of Recycle Right Campaign
3 Delivering world-class utility services and programs
to improve our health, environment, and economy.
Community Engagement: Sharing recycling
tips with our diverse community
4 Delivering world-class utility services and programs
to improve our health, environment, and economy.
Combined Strategies Reduced Contamination
Larger Garbage Cart Study In-Mold Cart Lids
Contamination and Recycling
Tagging (CART) Project Recycle Right Outreach
5 Delivering world-class utility services and programs
to improve our health, environment, and economy.
Single-Family Recycling Contamination
• City has analyzed materials since 2020 and every two years thereafter • Contamination at lowest in 2024, a 28% decrease from 2022 • Attributable to pilots and outreach: larger garbage cart study, in-mold recycling cart labels, the CART project, and Recycle Right outreach 6 Delivering world-class utility services and programs
to improve our health, environment, and economy.
Regulations
2024 Legislative Updates
• SB 54 (Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act) • AB 2346 (Pathways to Meet SB 1383 Procurement Targets) • SB 1053 (Closes the Loophole in the State's Plastic Bag Ban) • SB 707 (Responsible Textile Recovery Act)
7 Delivering world-class utility services and programs
to improve our health, environment, and economy.
SB 1383 Implementation Updates
• CalRecycle's Local Assistance Grant: Utilized $1.45M, Awarded $2.49M to be utilized by April 2026
• Annual container contamination monitoring
• Residential garbage, recycling, yard trimmings container labels
• Ongoing multi-family recycling bin lid color changes
(black to blue)
• City Facility container standardization and signage
• Compost Hub pilot launch
• Wet Receptacle Assistance Program (WRAP) launch
• Participation in Santa Clara County Food Recovery
Program
• Ongoing outreach and educational materials 8
Delivering world-class utility services and programs
to improve our health, environment, and economy.
Climate Smart Zero Waste Element
• The Zero Waste Element will provide
a roadmap to both reduce GHGs and
landfilled materials
• Stakeholder feedback was solicited in
winter 2024
• Final Zero Waste Element to be
presented to City Council in 2025
9 Delivering world-class utility services and programs
to improve our health, environment, and economy.
Next Steps
• Finalize the Climate Smart Zero Waste Element
• Construction & Demolition Program improvements, outreach, and education
• CART project assessment
• Expand compost hub pilot to the community
• Monitor bills during legislative session to track potential impacts • Engage in statewide implementation of solid waste regulations • Distribute multi-family tote bags and install enclosure signs • Track and pursue grant opportunities
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