Latest Topic Brief
Our Impact at a Glance - April 2026
Latest Agency Update
Agency Update
Agency Update - Spring 2026
Updated Apr 28, 2026
StopWaste.Org Gets a Fresh Look Our website, StopWaste.org, is the most visible face of the Agency, and a key tool for connecting people to our work—whether that’s taking action at home, navigating policies and requirements, or partnering with us. We approached this initiative with an incredible amount of intention and rigor from start to finish. Our Communications team focused on making the site clear and accessible, and ensuring it truly serves our communities, with a structure that better reflects our goals and priorities. The new website lets you navigate easily to find what you need
Recent News
News
StopWaste Environmental Leadership Awards
Updated Feb 11, 2026
On June 12, StopWaste honored the recipients of the 2025 StopWaste Environmental Leadership Awards. Celebrated for the 23rd time, this annual awards program recognizes Alameda County entities for their leadership and innovations in advancing environmental sustainability, waste prevention, and contributions to building healthy, climate resilient communities in Alameda County.
News
StopWaste Earns Recertification as a California Green Business
Updated Jun 18, 2025
The California Green Business Network has recognized StopWaste once again as a certified Green Business. We are proud to join hundreds of other businesses in Alameda County and over 4,000 across California that are committed to being environmentally friendly and minimizing their impact on the environment.
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
News
StopWaste Wins $150,000 Re-X Before Recycling Prize
Updated Apr 10, 2026
StopWaste is honored to announce that we have been named a winner of Phase 2 of the Re-X Before Recycling Prize by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office.
News
FoodPrint Features StopWaste’s Food Share Table Program
Updated Jun 13, 2025
Food waste is a big problem in California - annually the state disposes of six million tons of food. The issue extends to schools, where an estimated $5 million worth of food is lost every day in schools nationwide. Learn about successful food waste prevention approaches and initiatives in EU and US schools.
News
StopWaste Offers Equipment Grants for Waste Prevention Projects
Updated Jun 13, 2025
StopWaste is offering grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 to businesses, nonprofits, institutions, and school districts in Alameda County to fund waste prevention equipment. The deadline to apply is February 24, 2025.
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
News
Free Technical Assistance & Cash Stipend Available for Low Embodied Carbon Construction Projects
Updated Apr 14, 2025
A partnership between StopWaste and Arup is now offering free technical assistance and cash stipends to support low-embodied carbon strategies in construction and renovation projects. Eligible projects include municipal and multifamily projects (new construction, major rehabilitation, and interior renovation) located in Alameda County, California.
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