Zero Waste Program and Services

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Alameda is a regional leader in source reduction, recycling and composting, where residents and businesses divert 81% of their waste from the landfill.  Find out more by clicking on the links below.

 

ACI logo 2016 plain.jpg Our partner in our successful diversion efforts has been the City's franchised waste hauler, Alameda County Industries (ACI). You can contact them by calling (510) 483-1400.

 

 

We have updated the Zero Waste Implementation Plan (ZWIP) of 2010, calculating the latest landfill diversion numbers, and making recommendations for residents to get closer to Zero. Learn more here.

 

On October 3rd, 2017, the Alameda City Council took a giant step toward reducing plastic litter (especially plastic straws) in our environment by passing the Alameda Disposable Food Service Ware Reduction Law. Read more about that here.

  • On June 7, 2022, the Alameda City Council adopted state law Assembly Bill 1276 to reduce single-use food ware accessories. More information can be found here. 

 

 

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A new California State law, Senate Bill (SB) 1383, aims to keep food and other compostable materials (“organics”) out of landfills to reduce emissions that contribute to climate change.

As of January 1, 2022, SB 1383 requires all business, multifamily properties, and residents to subscribe to recycling and food waste collection services. SB 1383 also requires certain food generating businesses to redirect surplus edible food to feed people who are food insecure.

On November 16, 2021, the City of Alameda adopted a local Ordinance (No. 3310) to implement SB 1383 that requires:

  • All businesses, multi-family properties, and residents to subscribe to recycling and food waste collection services. Additionally, businesses and multi-family properties are required to:

    • Place color-coded and labeled recycling and compost bins next to all garbage bins (except in restrooms).

    • Sort materials into the proper bins—recycling, compost, and landfill.

    • Educate employees, contractors, and tenants about the law at least annually and check bins periodically to ensure proper sorting.

    • For more information and compliance assistance, please visit: https://www.stopwaste.org/rules

  • Certain food generating businesses* to recover surplus edible food by partnering with a food recovery organization and tracking and maintaining records.

*Tier 1 sites that must start surplus food donation by 1/1/22: large supermarkets ($2M+ gross annual sales), grocery stores (>10,000 sq. ft.), food service providers, food distributors, and wholesale food vendors. Tier 2 sites that must start surplus food donation by 1/1/24: large health facilities (100+ beds), hotels (200+ rooms), large venues and special events (2,000+ individuals per day), restaurants (>5,000 sq. ft. or 250+ seats), state agency facilities, and public schools.

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Questions about a Construction and/or Demolition (C&D) project? Please see Alameda's specific requirements here.

City of Alameda Permitted C&D Haulers:

 

 

Zero Waste Community Resources

 

 

Have a question about what to do with unwanted items? Search StopWaste’s re:source guide for reuse, repair, recycling and safe disposal options. 

 

 

To opt out of print telephone directory / yellow pages delivery, visit the National Yellow Pages Consumer Choice and Opt-Out Site: https://www.yellowpagesoptout.com/

 

Alameda County Industries (ACI), the City’s franchised waste hauler, is now offering all residential customers (single family, multi-plex, and multi-family) one (1) on call cleanup per household every twelve months at no additional charge. Find out more click here

Bay Area Makerfarm
2700 Barbers Point Rd, Alameda
Hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays 10-5

Ploughshares Nursery
Barbers Point Rd, Alameda (back entrance to Ploughshares Nursery). Main entrance is 2701 Main St, Alameda
Hours: Wednesdays – Sunday 10-4:30

 

The City of Alameda is launching a pilot program for one-time, small-scale community clean-up events. This pilot program is specifically intended to support neighborhood, park, shoreline, and public-space clean-up efforts and is not available for festivals, parties, meetings, fundraisers, or other non–clean-up special events.

Starting February 1, 2026, residents may apply to receive containers at no charge for an eligible community clean-up event. Each approved clean-up event may receive up to three sets of carts (garbage, recycling, and organics) in 32-gallon, 64-gallon, or 96-gallon sizes. These clean-up opportunities are available on a first-come, first-served basis and require applications to be submitted at least 21 days prior to the clean-up date. Requests submitted with less than the required notice will not be processed.

Following the clean-up event, applicants will be asked to provide additional information to help City staff evaluate the program’s effectiveness, ease of use, and any challenges encountered. Once the allotted number of clean-up events has been reached, the pilot program will pause while staff review the data and determine next steps.

Interested residents should complete the application below and submit it by email to Marc Green at mgreen@alamedaca.gov. Once approved, staff will coordinate delivery and removal of the carts specifically for the clean-up event.

Please note that California law (Senate Bill 1383) requires all residents and businesses to properly sort materials and prevent contamination. If any waste stream from the clean-up event is found to be contaminated, the applicant will be responsible for any additional disposal charges at the current approved rates set by Alameda County Industries (ACI).

Community Clean-Up Carts Application here(PDF, 114KB)

 

Contact Us

Phone

510-747-7900

Email

mgreen@alamedaca.gov lbrazil@alamedaca.gov

Location

City Hall West
950 W. Mall Square, Room 110
94501
View Map

Office Hours

Monday thru Thursday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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