Agency Update

Agency Update - Winter 2026

Updated Mar 16, 2026

StopWaste Pilots Solar Panel Collection Event In partnership with the California Product Stewardship Council, StopWaste hosted a free, one-day residential solar panel collection event at the Fremont Recycling & Transfer Station for Alameda County residents. Event staff collected 171 solar panels, and of those, 47 panels were tested and confirmed suitable for reuse, while 124 panels were designated for recycling. Funded by CalRecycle, this initiative helps keep hazardous materials from being disposed of improperly and supports market development for used solar panels. Launched in 2025, the

Agency Update

Agency Update - Summer 2025

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Championing Environmental Leadership in Alameda County Celebrated for the 23rd time, StopWaste held its annual awards ceremony at the June 12 board meeting where seven entities were recognized for their leadership and innovations in advancing environmental sustainability, waste prevention, and contributions to building healthy, climate resilient communities in Alameda County. Some examples of the initiatives this year’s champions are leading in include engaging communities with sustainable, reusable foodware choices, recovering surplus food to nourish people, reimagining how we build homes in

Agency Update

Agency Update - Spring 2025

Updated Apr 29, 2025

Waste Prevention Equipment Grant Recipients Selected Surplus Food Donation Equipment: Nine recipients will receive funding to purchase equipment that optimizes their food recovery operations while minimizing food waste. Examples of this equipment include cooling blankets to prevent spoilage during transport and freezers to extend the shelf life of perishable foods. Reusable Foodware for Cafeterias: Funds will be used to roll out or expand reusable foodware in three different school districts: San Leandro Unified School District, Hayward Unified School District, and Emeryville Unified School

Agency Update

Agency Update - Winter 2025

Updated Apr 23, 2025

StopWaste Wins $150,000 Re-X Before Recycling Prize Just recently, our Back to Reusables project was one of 10 awardees selected as a winner of Phase 2 of the Re-X Before Recycling Prize! Administered by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office, the prizes aim to advance innovative designs that could keep materials in use beyond a single lifecycle. The prize of $150,000 will be used to further our efforts in transitioning school districts from single-use foodware to reusable foodware in Alameda County. Learn More Application for Waste Prevention

Agency Update

Agency Update - Fall 2024

Updated Oct 24, 2024

2024 Legislative Update The legislative season in California has concluded, and we are excited to announce that Governor Newsom has signed AB 2346, a bill sponsored by our agency to make common-sense adjustments to the SB 1383 recycled organic waste product procurement requirements. AB 2346 offers flexibility and more options for local governments to meet these requirements, which have proved challenging. This achievement was made possible by the commitment and collaboration of our agency staff, member agencies, composters, and other stakeholders—thank you all! Additionally, several other

Agency Update

Agency Update - Summer 2024

Updated Jul 9, 2024

Honoring Local Environmental Leaders Six entities were recognized at the June 13 StopWaste Board meeting. Awardees were recognized for their leadership and innovations in advancing environmental sustainability, waste prevention, and contributions to building healthy, climate resilient communities in Alameda County. The award winners and categories are: Vesta Foodservice, Hayward — Excellence in Food Recovery & Donation Sparkl Reusables, Oakland & Spectrum Community Services, Hayward — Excellence in Reusable Foodware Partnership oWOW, Oakland — Excellence in Construction Innovation Drake's

Agency Update

Agency Update - Spring 2024

Updated Apr 18, 2024

Compost Happens! Video Premiere Public education on composting is vital to achieving SB 1383’s goal of keeping food scraps and other compostable materials out of the landfill and instead in the compost to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. In addition to requiring residents and businesses to properly sort organic waste, this state law requires cities and counties to purchase products, like compost, made from recovered organic waste to meet annual procurement targets. These products can be used directly or given away. Many cities in the county have

Agency Update

Agency Update - Winter 2024

Updated Jan 23, 2024

New Grant Round Opens!

Spotlight on Tri-Valley Haven's Food Pantry

Tri-Valley Haven is a safe space that is committed to supporting its community members who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, or homelessness. Thanks to a Food Waste & Recovery grant from StopWaste, the nonprofit has been able to significantly increase the amount of fresh, healthy, and nutritious food they recover and provide through their food pantry. In addition, they have transitioned to a “client choice model” that empowers pantry visitors

Agency Update

Agency Update - Fall 2023

Updated Oct 12, 2023

Grantee Spotlight: Schools Ramp Up with Reusables Many single-use foodware items contain toxic chemicals that can leach into food, accumulate in the body and lead to serious health problems. To eliminate this risk, while also reducing waste, five school districts in Alameda County are piloting stainless-steel reusable foodware to replace disposable lunch trays, food boats, and plastic sporks with the support of a StopWaste Reusable Foodware grant. Some pilots set up infrastructure to wash the dishes in-house while others use off-site dishwashing services. Continue reading to learn more about

Agency Update

Agency Update - Summer 2023

Updated Jul 7, 2023

Congratulations Environmental Leadership Awardees! Six entities from different sectors including businesses, non profits, and school communities were honored at the June 8 StopWaste Board meeting. Awardees were recognized for their leadership and innovations in advancing environmental sustainability, waste prevention, and contributions to building healthy, climate-resilient communities in Alameda County. The award winners and categories are: Fertile GroundWorks – Livermore, Excellence in Community Engagement Common Vision and Good Eggs – Oakland, Excellence in Food Donation Partnerships Bay