Ordinances, Policies and Fees
Countywide Integrated Waste Management Plan (CoIWMP)
The Alameda County Countywide Integrated Waste Management Plan (CoIWMP) serves as a roadmap to approaching Alameda County’s solid waste management and recycling issues.
Measure D
In 1990, Alameda County voters overwhelmingly approved Measure D, the Alameda County Waste Reduction and Recycling Act, with the goal of reducing waste by 75% by 2010. Read more about Measure D policies and disbursements.
Beyond 75% Diversion: A Plan for Landfill Obsolescence
Measure D established the Alameda County Source Reduction and Recycling Board (“Recycling Board”) and mandated that the Recycling Board create and periodically update a plan for a comprehensive source reduction and recycling program. This is that plan.
Reusable Bag Ordinance
As of January 1, 2013, grocery stores and certain other food retailers in Alameda County can no longer provide single-use plastic carryout bags at checkout. Learn more at ReusableBagsAC.org.
Mandatory Recycling Ordinance
This ordinance requires certain businesses, institutions and multi-family buildings to provide recycling and composting service sufficient to handle the amount of recyclables and compostables (food scraps and food-soiled paper) they produce. Learn more at RecyclingRulesAC.org.
Plant Debris Landfill Ban
Disposal of plant debris in Alameda County landfills is prohibited. Plant debris includes grass, leaves, shrubs, vines and tree branches. Residents should dispose of plant waste and food scraps in their green bin. Landscape and gardening professionals, commercial and multi-family property owners, and haulers can learn the rules for disposing of plant waste at RecyclingRulesAC.org.
Facility Fee
Alameda County Waste Management Authority Ordinance 2009-01 established procedures and reporting requirements for the collection of the countywide solid waste facility fee, which is applied to solid waste originating in Alameda County that is deposited in landfills outside the county. For more information, visit the Ordinance 2009-01, Facilicity Fee web pages.
Household Hazardous Waste Fee
In February 2014, the Alameda County Waste Management Authority Board adopted a new household hazardous waste fee of $9.55 per year per residential unit which went into effect July 1, 2014. Revenue from the fee is used to support the countywide household hazardous waste program, which provides safe, legal, environmentally sound collection and disposal services for residential household hazardous waste. For more information, visit the HHW Fee Ordinance page or read the HHW Fee FAQs.