StopWaste and our partners support schools, businesses, and communities to reduce waste, expand reusables, improve composting and recycling, and increase energy efficiency and affordability. Here are highlights from 2025-26, organized by our key goals and focus areas.
Preventing Food Waste & Expanding Food Recovery
- 7,000 tons of edible food recovered — equivalent of 11.5 million meals, thanks to a countywide network of 100+ organizations.
- $330K+ invested in food recovery and waste prevention grants for equipment, infrastructure, and community-based programs.
- 1,000+ students engaged through new school food share table programs.
Regional Leadership Shaping Statewide Policy
StopWaste continues to play an active role in statewide policy and advisory processes for SB 1383 and SB 54, helping ensure local implementation works in practice.
Reusable Foodware & Packaging
- 3.8 million single-use foodware items eliminated annually in schools. Reusable foodware programs now in place at 38 schools, replacing disposable trays, utensils, condiment packs, and cups.
- 37 local businesses received direct incentives and technical support to adopt reusable service models and reduce packaging waste.
- Stadiums & theaters: StopWaste engaged large venues to transition away from single-use items and test scalable reuse solutions.
Environmental Protection & Safe Disposal
- 70K+ households served annually through the Household Hazardous Waste program, safely disposing of paint, batteries, and chemicals.
- 49K+ residents used the online RE:Source guide to find the right destination for 400+ different types of items.
Organics & Compost
- 98% compliance with SB 1383 organics service requirements for businesses and multifamily properties — a major countywide milestone.
- 5,325 cubic yards of free compost (enough to cover 120 sports fields) distributed through nine compost hubs.
- 200 farmers and producers reached through compost education workshops and partnerships.
Improved Translation & Multilingual Outreach
Materials translated into multiple languages and an inclusive engagement approach helped reach more businesses and improve compliance.
Healthy, Energy Efficient Homes
- $7.7M+ in incentives for energy upgrades, provided for 3,248 multifamily units across the Bay Area.
- 4,433 Home Energy Scores completed across the Bay Area in 2025.
- Energy upgrades expanded to affordable and community-owned housing through partnerships with community land trusts.
Construction Innovation
- 500+ construction professionals engaged through workshops and partnerships advancing lower-impact construction practices.
- New research mapping material flows across the construction system for wood reuse, C&D processing, and fire-damaged timber.
