CLIMATE ACTION SUBCOMMITTEE
ZERO WASTE PROGRAM UPDATE
MARCH 6, 2024
1 Renae Gundy
Acting Zero Waste Coordinator
Transportation & Public Works
Celia Furber
Sustainability Manager
Recology Sonoma Marin
2 CITY’S ZERO WASTE GOAL
3 GOAL 2020 2025 2030 2040
Per Capita Disposal based on
Recology Tonnage (pounds per
person per day)
2.8 1.8 1.0 < 1.0
Diversion Rate 40% 55% 75% 75%+
STRATEGIES
4 Zero Waste Food
Ware Ordinance
Mandatory
Recycling and
Composting
Programs
Construction and
Demolition
(C&D) Ordinance
Targeted T echnical
Assistance
Zero Waste
Culture Change
ZERO WASTE FOOD
WARE ORDINANCE
• Effective January 2022
• Bans food ware containing polystyrene
foam and PFAS
• Food Ware Accessories provided upon
request ONLY
• Dine-in accommodations may only
offer reusable food ware &
accessories
• Dine-in facilities must provide three
bin waste streams
• Maintain partnerships with Recology,
Zero Waste Sonoma, and Cascadia
• Learn from other jurisdictions
• Outreach
5 MANDATORY RECYCLING
& COMPOST PROGRAMS
• AB341= mandatory commercial recycling
o 99% compliant
• AB1826=mandatory commercial organics
recycling
o 99% compliant
• SB1383= jurisdictions required to provide
all residents and businesses with organic
waste collection services.
o 98% compliant
6 CONSTRUCTION &
DEMOLITION
ORDINANCE
• Proper disposal and tracking of
construction materials
• Reviewing Model C&D Ordinance
developed by Zero Waste Sonoma
• Green Halo tracking/reporting software
soon to be implemented
7 TARGETED TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE
• Increase diversion rates,
reduce contamination and achieve full
compliance with regulations
• Focus on commercial, multi-family
dwellings, and schools
• Working with Zero Waste Sonoma and
Cascadia to offer technical assistance
(project timeline January 2024-April 2025)
• High waste generators
• SB1383 food recovery implementation
• Zero Waste Food Ware Ordinance
compliance
8 ZERO WASTE CULTURE
CHANGE
• Lead by example
• Support local reuse/repair fairs
• Focus on City events
• Maintain partnerships with Recology, Zero
Waste Sonoma, and the community
• Outreach
9 RELATIONSHIP
TO
CLIMATE
ACTION PLAN
10 Action 6.1.1. Work with local waste haulers to
improve the amount and types of waste that are
accepted for curbside recycling and green waste
pickup. Conduct outreach to and education of the
public for dissemination of the information and
options.
Mandatory Recycling and
Composting
Targeted Technical Assistance
Zero Waste Culture Change
Action 6.1.2. Work with the Sonoma County
Waste Management Agency to encourage local
restaurants to compost food and provide
recyclable or compostable to-go containers.
Zero Waste Foodware
Ordinance
Targeted Technical Assistance
Action 6.1.3. Increase the City's construction and
demolition ordinance to require 75% diversion by
2020 and 85% diversion by 2035.
C&D Ordinance Update
Action 6.2.1. Discourage the use of Styrofoam
containers and plastic bags.
Zero Waste Foodware
Ordinance
Action 6.2.2. Encourage local businesses to
reduce amounts of packaging used. Targeted Technical Assistance Action 6.2.3. Discourage the use of bottled water
at City events. Zero Waste Culture Change
Action 6.2.4. Adopt a long-term waste diversion
goal to extend beyond the Zero Waste Sonoma's
goal of a 70% diversion rate by 2015 and the
State’s goal of 75% diversion by 2020 consistent
with state law (AB 341).
Zero Waste Foodware
Ordinance
Mandatory Recycling and
Composting
C&D Ordinance Update
Targeted Technical Assistance
Zero Waste Culture Change
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Zero Waste Sonoma Efforts (Jul 2022-June 2023)
• Compost giveaway events: 10 (400 cubic yards)
• Single-use propane cylinder collection sites: 3 locations • HHW collection events: 12 (average 76 participants per event)
• E-waste collection events: 5 (29,774 lbs of e-waste, 51,296 lbs of universal waste)
• Mattress collection events: 2 (204 collected)
• T otal events: 69 (218 hours of outreach)
Recology Efforts (Jan-Dec 2023)
• Site visits/audits= 1,060
• Presentations/trainings= 176
• New compost services= 125
• Increase compost services= 36
• Increase recycle services= 26
• New, upgraded Materials Recovery Facility (Nov. 2023) • Processing 400 tons per day
• 85% recovery
11 NEXT STEPS
• Zero Waste Food Ware Ordinance
• Update outreach materials & website
• Mandatory Participation in Recycling
and Compost Programs
• Identify problem areas and target outreach
and education
• C&D Ordinance Update
• Implement Green Halo software
• Model C&D Ordinance adoption
• T argeted T echnical Assistance for
Commercial & MFD
• Potential to extend technical assistance
contract to target more businesses and
have continuous check-ins
• Establish short-term and long-term goal
with Recology specific to commercial &
MFD sectors= focus efforts on greatest
impact
• Zero Waste Culture Change
• Support zero waste community events
• Develop a Zero Waste Event Guide
12 QUESTIONS
Renae Gundy
Acting Zero Waste Coordinator
[email protected]
13